When Kenneth applied for disability benefits, he had been addicted to heroin and alcohol since age 17. While he had managed to graduate from high school, attend two years of junior college and marry his high school sweetheart by the time he was 22, he spent the next 20 years of his life struggling to cope with his addictions. At age 41, as a result of his drug and alcohol addictions, he had lost everything that mattered to him - family, religious community, jobs, health and self-esteem.
Over the years, Kenneth was arrested on numerous occasions for drug-related crimes. He was fired from virtually every job he ever had because of his addictions. When he did work, it was usually as a janitor in health facilities where he was able to gain access to drugs. He was expelled from his church because of his drug and alcohol use. He had to be hospitalized three times for drug overdoses. Kenneth participated in over ten drug treatment programs, but was unable to overcome his addictions.
Kenneth finally hit "rock bottom" in 1991 when his wife of 21 years told him that she had obtained a restraining order and he would have to leave the house because she and their two kids could no longer watch him kill himself. Kenneth now says, "It was absolutely, 100 percent devastating. I have never felt so confused and hurt in my entire life." Kenneth's wife told him that she would take him back only after he became clean and sober.
In April of 1992, Kenneth entered into intensive treatment at the Highland General Hospital Substance Abuse Treatment Program. The program included individual and group counseling, recreation, acupuncture and drug testing. Kenneth attended five days a week for six months. He was able to stop using heroin, alcohol and nicotine. He started taking computer classes with assistance from the Department of Rehabilitation.
During this time, Kenneth pursued his application for Supplemental Security Income. He came to The Hawkins Center for assistance in June of 1992. Several months later, Kenneth's case was granted by an administrative law judge after a hearing, one year after he entered into recovery.
Kenneth feels strongly that he has been able to remain clean and sober since then due to the financial assistance he received from Social Security. He explains, "The disability benefits buttressed my recovery because I didn't have to worry about funds."
Kenneth has begun the process of transforming his life. He and his wife and children have reunited. His church has welcomed him back, and he now attends services twice weekly and gives lectures on subjects relating to the Bible and to everyday life.
At the suggestion of his attorney at The Hawkins Center, Kenneth enrolled in U.C. Berkeley's Substance Abuse Certificate Program. He has completed eleven of the twelve courses required to obtain his certificate, receiving mostly A's in his classes. His one remaining class requirement is field experience; he is currently seeking an internship at a drug treatment facility. Kenneth looks forward to a career in drug counseling and, ultimately, intervention and relapse prevention.
In the past three years, Kenneth has reclaimed his own life and
has committed himself to helping others to do the same. He is a person
of tremendous compassion, warmth and humor. His future clients will be
very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him, just as we have
been. Kenneth's hard work and deep resolve continue to inspire us at The
Hawkins Center.