There were others who had the same dreams that never came true . . . Watching friends die from AIDS, Louis says, he began to reflect on his own mortality. I wanted to be conscious as opposed to being on chemicals. There was no blinding moment of truth that led him to recovery, he says. It was more of a gradual process.
Recovery is about change, and change is about freedom.
Shelter officials talked about personal and social responsibility and advocacy and change. For the first time, he felt that he could make a difference. I felt perhaps I can change and work in a process for change. The shelter made all the difference for him in recovery, he says. It provided a respite and safe haven and a place to be connected to others.