A gift called life

Former meth addict starts recovery group

Click here to see the Oct. 3, 2009, Neighbors section in its entirety


By Erica Bowlin for the Times-Tribune

“2004 was just a bad year for me,” said Chris Mills. “By then, meth had become my drug of choice.”

Mills remembers the many years he suffered from addiction, years of addiction that began in 1998, when he was badly injured in a motorcycle accident.

“I was in chronic pain all the time. I started with taking pain pills that were prescribed, and it took more and more to dull the pain. At first, I just did what was prescribed. Then next thing I knew, I was hooked,” said Mills.

Mills said he grew up in Barbourville and had always been close to his family, but as his addiction grew, he began losing everything that mattered in life. His drug addiction became life consuming, and he grew distant from those who had always been close to him and was eventually fired from his job.

“By 2001, I was willing to do any drug I could get my hands on, really. I didn’t care what it was, if I could get high, I’d do it,” he said.

Mills got married in 2003, and in the beginning he managed to keep his drug abuse hidden from his bride by sneaking out to get a fix, waiting until after she had gone to bed, or using while she was at work.

“I was bad into meth at that time, but I never told her what I was going through, and a year later, she found out. She was a good woman, but I couldn’t admit to myself or to her that I had a problem. So we got a divorce.”

Losing his wife didn’t stop Mills from doing drugs. If anything, his addiction grew stronger still.

“Over the next year, I kept going to jail, and kept sinking deeper and deeper,” he said.

Then one day Mills got a phone call from a good friend, a friend he had known for years and had deep respect for.

“She told me that if I didn’t stop what I was doing, I would end up going to jail for a long, long time,” he said, and added “She said I could start going to meetings and start getting better. And by that time, I was ready to change.”

Mills was sitting alone outside one day and he took a long look at himself.

“I had lost everything, I had lost a good wife, lost my job. This is not where I pictured myself at the age of 34.”

Mills said the first month of recovery was a struggle. But he continued going to recovery meetings, and continued praying for God to take the desire for drugs away.

“I gave it all over to Him. I knew I wasn’t strong enough to do it on my own.”

Then, 42 days into recovery, he woke up and the desire for drugs had finally subsided.

“I just didn’t feel the need to do it anymore, he said. “I guess you could say it was a miracle. After all those years of using, I just didn’t want to do it anymore.”

He continued praying and became more and more dedicated to his recovery.

“Every day I got better and better, and it made me want to reach out and help other addicts in any way I could.”

So Mills decided to start a recovery group in Corbin. He also began volunteering his time at a treatment center.

“The more time I spent in recovery, the stronger I became. I have to say that helping others in recovery was God’s idea, not mine. I never would have been strong enough to do all this without Him.”

After more than two years in recovery, Mills is grateful for the chance to live each day and make a positive difference in the community.

“I just want to say to anyone that may be suffering like I was, you don’t have to live that life. No matter how bad it has gotten, there is hope and there is help out there,” he said.

There are many treatment centers, support groups, and recovery meetings in the Tri-County area. Comprehensive Care Center offers treatment and support for all types of addiction. Local recovery groups offer 12-step programs and peer support.

For more information on how to find a recovery support group in your area, call Comprehensive Care Center at 606-528-7010, or call Chris Mills at 606-231-8128.

“Life for me now is so wonderful. There will always be challenges in life, but with the support of my family, friends and community, I know I can do anything. I am grateful to God for this second chance at life. And if I can help anyone who is suffering from addiction, well that’s what I’m here for. Day or night, if you need help, I’m here.”

Note: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration recently released the results of a survey that was conducted nationally. The survey examined drug use in each state. The results of the study concluded that at least 26 percent of the state’s population aged 18-25 had used marijuana in the last year. At least 15 percent of the population had used pain medication for non-medical use, and about 10 percent of people in Kentucky reported being dependent on illicit drugs. This national study showed that in many categories, Kentucky was among the top ten states suffering from drug use and addiction.

Erica Bowlin is a former Miss Whitley County. She is a mother and homemaker currently living in Lily. She can be reached at ericalynnbowlin@yahoo.com