Ben started using heroin for the first time when he was 16 years old. For much of his life, he’s struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and spent most of his 20’s in and out of jail. After completing treatment last year, he came to COTS. “It was a safe place to transition back to normalcy,” he says.

Ben has been sober for 1 year and 7 months. His long list of accomplishments since moving into COTS includes: “stable employment, sobriety, building the relationships back with [his] family and kids…just being a better member of society.” Ben returned to his former employment, as his employers are familiar with COTS’ programming.

He is determined to live as financially responsible as possible and used every penny to pay off debt and build up his savings. In fact, since moving to COTS, he has paid off over $17,000 in debt! 

Ben has attempted sobriety several times, but says that “something just clicked” this time. Ben credits being accountable at COTS with part of his success in sobriety. “The actual structure, just having someone to answer to…I think if I had gone out straight on my own I wouldn’t have made it this far.”

He also looks to his 3 kids for inspiration, and he spends quality time with them at least 3 days a week. “The time that we spend together now is so much more meaningful…I’m making the most of the time I have with my kids,” he grins.

His advice to others? “Stay vigilant. Keep doing what you’re supposed to do because it does become habit.”