At 45 years old, Jeremy’s journey through life has been nothing short of extraordinary. With 22 years spent in the throes of active addiction, his path to recovery shines as a beacon of hope and transformation. Celebrating over 7 years of sobriety, Jeremy’s story is one of resilience, a testament to the power of recovery and the human spirit’s capacity to change. Jeremy now dedicates his life to guiding others on their path to healing as a Provider Advocate at Kyros. In this role, he leverages his personal experiences to support Peers in navigating the challenges and triumphs of recovery. His work is not just a job but a calling—stemming from his own remarkable recovery journey from the brink of death back to life.
We invite you to hear Jeremy’s personal narrative: a raw and inspiring tale that captures the essence of what it means to fight for a second chance at life. From moments of despair to milestones of joy, Jeremy’s story exemplifies the profound impact that support, perseverance, and inner strength can have on an individual’s journey to recovery. Join us as we explore the depths of Jeremy’s battles and the heights of his achievements in the world of recovery.
Tell us a bit about your recovery story - how did you begin your recovery?
On September 28, 2016, I was pronounced dead 26 minutes after my 16th overdose. I was in a coma for 6 weeks in the hospital. I couldn’t talk; I couldn’t speak—I heard the doctors telling my family that I would be like this for the rest of my life. I couldn’t accept that, and the next day, by the grace of God, I woke up, and they couldn’t find anything wrong with me. I decided that day to go to MN Adult & Teen Challenge. I chose to join the spiritual track, their long program that is typically 13 months. I ended up staying for 19 months and had my first encounter with Jesus at Teen Challenge.
What are some obstacles you overcame at the beginning of your recovery journey, and what do you think are the biggest challenges that people in recovery face?
Walking out of treatment with 20 years of destruction behind me, and no way to fix it. There wasn’t peer recovery when I first began my recovery, but I wish there had been. Living my life sober was an absolute challenge—I was overwhelmed with everything that needed to be done and fixed. I was bombarded by court dates, navigating getting my license back, finding a place to live, getting a job, and just gaining back trust from loved ones. Along with all of this, I had to begin to cut off past negative relationships and start new.
Once you get sober, all the problems you created are still there after you make that choice. You dig the hole with an excavator, but you have to fill it back up with a spoon. This is where determination comes in.
How has your life changed throughout your recovery?
It’s incredible. I worked at Teen Challenge for 4 years, met incredible people, and it changed my life. I’ve learned how to become a dad again, met my wife, found a great career where I can work alongside my wife. I’ve been able to completely rebuild my life. Every struggle and every challenge I ever went through has been worth it due to the outcome in the end. Trust and give everything to God, and He’ll give everything back.
What does success in recovery look like to you?
Happiness, joy, peace. I don’t judge success on monetary things; I’ve been broke in recovery and happier than ever.
Is there anything you wish you could share with anyone who is at the beginning of their recovery journey—or at any point in their recovery?
The mountain looks impossible to climb, but once you get to the top, it’ll absolutely be worth the climb. Don’t let the mountain discourage you.
How did you find Kyros?
I met Kyros’ founder, Daniel; he was my client in 2019—I was his recovery coach. He told me about the mission to help as many people find recovery as possible through Kyros and gave me an open invitation to join the team. Once I felt God’s pull, I decided to start my journey at Kyros. I work with incredible people, all working towards one common goal. I’m incredibly grateful to work on a mission-driven team that aligns with my personal mission so well.
Interested in reading more about addiction and substance use disorder recovery? Check out the other recovery stories we have on our blog.
