Meth Addiction Kicked to the Curb

Written by: Jason Hradaway

In June 2017 we celebrated nineteen-year-old Shaun’s one month sobriety from his methamphetamine addiction. Fast forward a year and half, Shaun has continued to take steps in his recovery journey, and with a few stumbles along the way, the twenty-one-year-old is now one year clean!

Shaun leaped onto the Street Life RV with a spring in his step. His long black hair reached past his shoulders and cascaded across his pull-over hoodie. He was well groomed and each stride he took was infused with confidence. This was the first time we had seen Shaun in well over a year.

“Hi! Remember me?!?”

“We could never forget you Shaun, where have you been?”

After being in and out of short-term treatment programs in the Vancouver area, Shaun took a leap of faith and signed up for a more intensive treatment program in the Okanagan area. He returned to Vancouver to help some family members move and was excited to share with friends and family about his journey. The headline being his one year milestone of sobriety. The staff and volunteers at the RV were on his list of must-see people during his short visit. He talked our ears off that evening about the ways he’s grown, the tools he’s learned, and the new hobbies and interests he’s developed since being sober. He’s even beginning to wrestle through what faith looks like in his own life. It was a very encouraging night for our team. Shaun was also excited to hear that YU/YFC offers programming in the Okanagan, and is very interested in connecting with their team.

When I reflect on Shaun’s journey, I honestly feel like we didn’t actually do much. We showed up. We were present. We listened to his stories, shared our own, and were simply there for him through the good times and the rough ones. At his lowest point, on a late Friday night, we were there while he hallucinated during a drug-induced episode of psychosis. Shaun’s sense of reality was literally slipping away, and we were there. We faithfully provided him a safe space, while offering whatever supports and resources he needed. We’d pray for Shaun every night we’d see him (which used to be every night), and thankfully our prayers have been answered. It’s truly a miracle to see Shaun’s life take such a dramatic turn. After not seeing, or hearing from him for so long, I assumed the worst -that he died from a drug overdose. I can’t help but praise God for what He’s done in Shaun’s life. It’s a story that oozes God’s providence and I feel blessed that we could witness Shaun’s transformation – and perhaps play a small role along the way.