TAYLORVILLE, Sick. (WAND) – Police departments and first responders in central Illinois are sometimes known as to the identical properties again and again to revive drug customers who’ve overdoses. However one man is breaking the cycle.
“I ended up blacking out. The resort supervisor got here to my room, apparently I pushed him and I awoke in a restraint chair in jail,” Justin Grant advised WAND.
Grant retains his mugshot picture saved on his cellphone to remind himself of what it was prefer to hit all-time low. He had checked himself right into a resort to detox after relapsing earlier in 2021. However after that try led to an arrest, Grant was in a position to get out on probation. Sadly, he relapsed once more shortly after being launched.
“The second I began feeling how I used to really feel. I made the cellphone name, (as a result of) I already knew the way it was going to go,” Grant defined.
The medication had such a robust maintain on Grant’s physique. He had detoxed a number of instances earlier than, and even as soon as by way of Taylorville’s Protected Passage program. However after his most up-to-date relapse, he knew one thing needed to change.
“I wasn’t simply hurting myself anymore. There have been folks I used to be hurting manner worse. I can solely think about my mother sitting by her cellphone, questioning if she’s going to get that cellphone name,” Grant added.
He is now six months sober. But it surely’s been an extended street.
“I am 26 years previous and I’ve nearly died numerous instances, and it is not enjoyable,” Grant advised WAND.
Grant is not alone. Many addicts relapse a number of instances earlier than lastly getting clear.
“I’ve very optimistic as a result of I’ve seen folks try to strive till they lastly get it. So I inform them, hey, pay attention, it’d take you 10 instances in rehab, however the eleventh time could also be it,” Chief Dwayne Wheeler of the Taylorville Police Department advised WAND.
Proper now, he is working with a younger girl whose has overdosed 19 instances. However regardless of name after name to resuscitate her, he is hopeful.
“I am attempting to assist this younger girl as a result of she’s going to die. There is not any query she’s going to die if she retains doing what she’s doing,” Wheeler defined.
By way of Taylorville’s Protected Passage Program, Wheeler has seen different instances of addicts who might seem to be a misplaced trigger, however ultimately get the assistance they want.
“I’ve seen a lot good, a lot transformation, that I do know they’ll do it,” Wheeler defined.
“Do not assume you are not value it or you do not deserve it, as a result of anyone can begin over,” Grant added.
Click here for extra data on Taylorville’s Protected Passage program.