by Michael Sperling, San Quentin State Prison, CA
There’s been many events in my life that were turning points for me, such as leaving the gang or leaving general population and going to a “Special Needs Yard.” But one recent event that took place in the last couple months I would have to say is my biggest turning point and the one I’m most proud of.
But before I tell you about it, allow me to tell you a little bit about my childhood. From the ages of three to eleven, my father severely beat me on the daily. At age twelve, my father began to inject me with heroin. From the age of twelve to forty-three I shot heroin any chance I could so that I could numb myself and not feel the trauma from my childhood.
At forty-three I stopped using heroin and started taking Suboxone. The Department of Corrections started prescribing us this drug. All I did was substitute one drug for another. But while I was on Suboxone I did do something positive. I began taking many self-help classes and internalized all the information that was taught to me.
Now, I had the positive coping mechanisms to utilize when I finally get off of Suboxone when I’m triggered. Well, on September thirtieth of this year, I finally decided to withdraw from Suboxone, the same Suboxone I’ve been using as a crutch for the last three years to help me avoid relapsing into heroin use. I sat in my cell for nearly a month and went through a traumatic time in my life, but I accomplished my goal of freeing myself from codependency of narcotics.
This turning point is why I love myself again and am proud of myself. Now, I could help others with these same struggles by showing them it’s possible to overcome addiction.
Thank you.