“The only thing that I would think about is how I was gonna get my next drug or drink,” said Justin Huson, recalling the darkest days of his addiction.

Life in Addiction’s Grip

Justin’s days used to begin on a stranger’s couch or beneath a bridge, waking to a single, desperate thought: how to get his next fix. Addiction ruled everything. He hustled, panhandled, and stole, reliving the same cycle of survival, day in and day out.

But it had not always been this way. At 23, Justin was married and had his own place. His addiction, which began at 18, gradually consumed everything. He lost his home, then his marriage, and finally his car. He remembers coming home on his first wedding anniversary to find his wife gone for good. That was the first time he admitted to himself he had a problem, but it did not stop him.

For the next 16 years, Justin’s life spiraled. He drifted through jails, institutions, and streets, trying rehab nine times, but nothing stuck. Deep down, he still believed he could fix things on his own.

Turning Point and Recovery

It was not until age 40, after yet another rock bottom, that Justin finally surrendered and entered rehab. He spent 62 days at Cove Forge. Early recovery was brutal. The hardest part was being separated from his children. Even during his addiction, he made sure he saw them, but now he had to face the pain of absence. Still, he stuck it out. After rehab, he moved to Daystar Center for Recovery, where a new chapter began. There, he was introduced to Pastor Jim and Jimmy from M28 Ministry, a community that would change his life. At first, Justin just showed up, sitting silently in meetings. But as he spent more time with Pastor Jim, meeting one-on-one and helping with community projects, he began to let faith and gratitude in. That is when things really started to shift.

“I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do this without M28 and all the love and support that I’ve gained since I’ve been clean, because I definitely couldn’t have done it alone,” said Justin in regard to M28 and his recovery. 

After four months at Daystar, Justin moved to a boarding house, not realizing it would put him back in the heart of temptation. The environment was rough, but the desire to be closer to his kids kept him going. Eventually, he found a safer place to rent and then his own apartment. His two youngest children eventually moved in with him, a milestone he cherishes.

Hope and a New Life

“Today, I am proud to be a man of faith, a present father, and a productive member of society. I work in the recovery field now, helping others through the same struggles I went through,” Justin said. “I owe so much to M28, my faith, and the support I have found in this community. Even things like the e-bike someone at M28 donated to me became a symbol of hope. It made my life easier and reminded me I was not alone.”

As he approaches two years clean, Justin’s message to others is simple: “Stop thinking you have all the answers. Listen, accept help, and let others guide you.” For him, recovery is proof that even in the darkest times, hope and a new life are possible.