You may not be aware of this chilling reality: many of the illegal drugs that are tearing families apart today were once introduced to the public as medicines prescribed by doctors. Drugs like methamphetamine, or ‘meth,’ were initially used to treat conditions like depression, narcolepsy, obesity, and ADHD. This was nearly a century ago when the medical community was unaware of the drug’s highly addictive nature.
Take the story of a young woman who, despite the devastating impact meth had on her body, managed to overcome her addiction and even had a child. She was first exposed to meth in her teenage years and by the age of 19, she was addicted.
Reflecting on a photo from the peak of her addiction, she says, “That was at my worst.” Despite the grainy quality of the image, the signs of meth addiction are unmistakable: a frail figure from severe weight loss, skin sores, dry and cracked skin, and dark circles under her eyes. But the damage isn’t just skin deep—meth also wreaks havoc on internal organs like the liver, kidneys, and lungs, while rotting teeth and damaging the blood vessels in the brain. Fortunately, she managed to break free from her addiction at just 22 years old, and now, she’s on track to earn a BS in accounting while raising her beautiful three-year-old daughter. Another person, a former drug dealer and user, was jolted into recovery after discovering his mother—an opioid user and registered nurse—dead in their home. The timing of these wake-up calls may be unpredictable, but hope is always within reach.
Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance? The truth is, human personality isn’t fixed. People can and do learn from their mistakes, and by offering a second opportunity, we give them the chance to prove it. Everyone makes mistakes—it’s part of being human. But it’s through those mistakes that we have the potential to grow and become better versions of ourselves. So, the answer is yes, everyone deserves a second chance.
To see just how much people can change, check out this inspiring video. It tells the remarkable story of Michael Dubree, a 30-year-old who once battled homelessness and drug addiction. Today, he’s on the cover of Men’s Health magazine. This is the true story of a man who found light at the end of a very dark tunnel. His life has transformed from being on the brink of death due to addiction to becoming a symbol of health and fitness. Michael’s “perfect body” is the result of his unwavering determination to leave behind a life of despair. He is now the picture of health—and he fully deserves it!
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