Dear teens, an ex teen addict with 15 years clean

So I just turned 40 and it’s been a very strange day. I was in a band in high school and some old band mates saw my post about the time passing. As I’m reflecting on all the crazy shit that happened it hit me that while I was dealing with some serious mental health issues and addiction, I did manage to kick that shit at 25. <br><br>I’m going to tell you a story. I went to treatment at 15. I was kicked out of high school twice. By 17 I was on a runaway list for the state. I was addicted to heroin. I was a mess. I was already getting clean, or at least I thought I was. I was, for a few months. However, when I was 22 I started again. I went to treatment again. But I ended up living in a homeless shelter with my son and my baby on the way. That was my bottom. And I was done. That was it. I quit when I was 25. I’m 15 years clean now. <br><br>I wish I could tell my story to every teenager in the hopes that it changes someone’s life.