Patrick Herndon

Jan 23, 2024

Take the help that is being offered.


Before: Patrick has only been in recovery now for 98 days. He started using drugs when he
was around eight years old, which means he has been using drugs and alcohol for 33
years. He has used everything, alcohol, weed, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and
cocaine. He has been through detox several times, but, only for a couple of weeks and
then goes right back into using. During that time, he overdosed four times, twice by
accident and twice intentionally as suicide attempts.

During those years his life was horrendous. He started
smoking weed with his cousin and was sexually abused by his cousin’s friends. He joined the Navy but got out
just so I could do drugs without getting caught. He stole from his family, owned a home and maintained what he
called sobriety – not using needles – for short periods, but eventually would start using again and lose his home,
car, and job. He simply didn’t want to get clean.

After: In 2023 he had a meth psychosis episode and ended up at Ben Taub Hospital and on Suboxone for 12
days. At Ben Taub, he was asked if he wanted help or wanted to die. He was transferred to the Houston
Recovery Center and set up with Chad Armstrong and Calita Payne. They were able to get him into a 45-day
program at the Cheyenne Center. Chad visited him every week and made sure he stayed with the program.

He is
in a 12-step program now and couldn’t have imagined life could be like this. He has his family back, has re-
established a relationship with God and has his spirituality back. Houston Recovery Center absolutely 100%
saved my life. They have it figured out. They have a plan. They have the experience and heart needed to help.
Don’t give up on yourself or your life.

Background: I have only been in recovery now for 98 days. I started using drugs when I was around eight years
old, which would mean I have been using drugs and alcohol for 33 years. I have used everything, alcohol, weed,
heroin, meth, fentanyl, and cocaine. I had been through detox several times, mostly to make my family happy,
and make them think I was getting clean. But, I’d get clean for a couple of weeks and go right back into using
again. During that time, I have overdosed four times, twice by accident and twice intentionally as suicide
attempts.

Honestly, during those years my life was horrendous. I grew up in rural North Carolina in a good, stable religious
household. In the summers I would go to Houston. That’s where I started smoking weed with my cousin when I
was around eight, and was sexually abused by my cousin’s friends. When I joined the Navy, I started drinking
and using cocaine and methamphetamine – what they called “weekend” drugs because the traces of the drugs
leave the body quickly and wouldn’t show up on a drug test. I got out of the Navy just so I could do drugs
without getting caught.

I was periodically separated from my family. I was loved, but they simply didn’t want me around because I stole
from them. I worked mostly as a bartender because you didn’t need training and it fit my lifestyle. I owned a
home and maintained what I called sobriety – not using needles – for short periods of time, but eventually
would start using again and lose my home, car, and job.
Finally, after the loss of a partner, I went into detox.
I simply didn’t want to get clean. I couldn’t keep a job or home, even after 20 years, I still was not motivated to
get clean.

Finally, after the loss of a partner, I went into detox. However, I wrongly figured willpower could keep
me clean. I didn’t realize how powerful addiction was. All my friends were drug users, and in Houston, drugs are
cheap and readily available almost anywhere. Over the past few years, every time I used meth I’d become
paranoid. In 2023 I had a meth psychosis episode and ended up at Ben Taub Hospital and on Suboxone for 12
days.

At Ben Taub, I was asked if I wanted help or wanted to die. I said I wanted to get clean and change my life. I was
transferred to the Houston Recovery Center and set up with Chad Armstrong and Calita Payne. They were able
to get me into a 45-day program at the Cheyenne Center. Chad visited me every week and made sure I stayed
with the program. Following the 45-day program they found me a sober living house.
I have my family back. I have reestablished a relationship with God, and I have found a
purpose.

I’m in a 12-step program now and couldn’t have imagined life could be like this. My family knows I’m in a
recovery program, are very supportive and waiting to see that I make it successfully. My mother and dad are
proud of me and I talk with my brother who is still using, to try and get him help. I have my family back. I have
reestablished a relationship with God and have my spirituality back. I have found a purpose, I’m working to be a
recovery coach. I feel like I can contribute and can be of value to the community.

Do I have advice to others? Yes, take the hand, take the help that is being offered. Don’t give up on
yourself or your life. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Others have made the change. Take the first
step, one right decision leads to another. Houston Recovery Center absolutely 100% saved my life. They have it figured out. They have a plan. They have the experience and heart needed to help. I can’t say enough, HRC is doing God’s work.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. Others have made the change.