8 years ago today I woke up in my parent’s bedroom after another relapse.
The night before I took my new ADHD medication, Adderall, and it reminded me of the feeling I got when I used cocaine.
So I took some more Adderall, called some friends and went and bought an 8-ball of cocaine.
My mind immediately returned to a state of paranoia as I crept around the house peering out the windows looking for cops.
This is how I spent countless nights before I was set free from addiction. I would usually drink a fifth of Malibu Rum and about 6-10 Coronas, snort/smoke about $500-$1,000 worth of cocaine, smoke a pack of Camels all while looking out windows and peepholes in fear that cops were watching me and about to break in.
It was not what you call fun.
I didn’t use or drink to “have a good time” like many do. I used because I didn’t feel normal sober.
I used because drugs were my master. I worshiped them, sang songs to them and desired to be with them 24/7.
And on May 23, 2004 I thought my life was over.
I hadn’t used cocaine – my drug of choice – since the prior September (although I relapsed on alcohol and marijuana 2 months prior). So when I used again I heard voices in my head tell me, “See, God gave you 2nd and 3rd chances and you screwed it up. You’re going to die because God is going to teach others a lesson about what happens when you screw up.”
It was a horrible night.
Even as a drug addict I had “principles” that I honored. And that night I violated those principles. Here’s what happened…
I ran out of cocaine in the early morning hours so I wanted to buy more.
But the problem was nobody would take me to the ATM to get money. So my “Plan B” was to rob the drug dealers who sold me the cocaine (never a good idea and against my principles). Luckily, the people who I was with didn’t go along with my plan.
Even though they were high, they were also concerned about me.
When I used I was notorious for going as far as I could without killing myself. It was not uncommon for my nose to bleed uncontrollably for hours on end (at which time I would switch to smoking cocaine instead of snorting it) while my hear felt like it was going to burst.
I was upset that night because nobody would help me get more drugs. I was up all night. And in the morning the girls we were with said they were going to Fred Meyer. So I told her I wanted to come with her “just to get something to eat” (really, I wanted to go to the ATM and get more money and continue using!).
But when we got to the Fred Meyer parking lot I looked out my window and saw my Dad’s big green truck parked next to us.
Shit!
I had my cell phone and wallet in my pocket. So I knew I could run and find a way to get more drugs later. But as I looked out at the street and thought about running I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of tiredness.
It was like years of using, hiding and running all caught up with me in a single moment and hit me like a brick wall. I just didn’t have the strength to run.
So I reluctantly got in my Dad’s truck and he drove me to their house. He was pissed and so was I.
I knew he carried a pistol in the center console of the truck and the thought of ending it all passed through my mind. I didn’t dwell on it too long… because even that felt like too much work. I was just so tired.
The next morning I woke up in my parent’s bedroom and felt horrible. Ok, I didn’t feel horrible, I shouldn’t lie to you… I felt like complete shit!
It was like I didn’t even have enough emotional strength to feel remorse even though I knew I should. It’s hard to describe feelings like this unless you’ve experienced them, but I’ll just say this… I’ve never felt so low in my life. I felt like I was at the bottom looking down.
So I walked into the upstairs bathroom and locked the door.
I got down on my knees on the linoleum floor and said a simple, but honest, prayer:
“Jesus, if you’re real, save me.”
I know, not the most faith -filled prayer, right?
It wasn’t “Dear Lord Jesus I am a sinner,” or, “Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus.” No it was an honest, “Hey, Jesus, if you’re really real, then save me.”
But you know what? From the time I said that prayer until today has been exactly 8 years and I have not used or drank once!
I didn’t hear an audible voice. I didn’t hear a chorus of angels. I mean I didn’t even get to see a bright light (our bathroom light bulbs were probably only 65 watts!).
But something happened on the inside.
The cravings that had so much power over me were gone!
My life was not “fixed” and my thought life was pretty much the same as it was before. But a seed of hope was planted in that moment and it grew fast.
I realized I didn’t do this. It was something called God’s grace. I know because I tried so hard to get sober on my own.
About 9 months prior I went through one of the best inpatient treatment centers in the nation (cost was $27,000 for 28 days of treatment), followed by outpatient treatment. Then I started seeing a psychiatrist to treat my mental disorders. Plus, I was going to 12-step meetings almost every day. I was trying hard to stay sober.
And while those things helped me to manage and treat my addiction they did not offer freedom from it.
Freedom came through the blood of Jesus. It was His grace alone that ultimately set me free.
And as I reflect on the last 8 years of my life today I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. Not only am I clean and sober but I’m also in my right mind. God healed me from depression and a bi-polar disorder so I don’t have to take meds any more.
I got to marry my best friend, Lacie Joy, three years ago and we now have a 2 month old baby girl named Emma Grace who I absolutely adore. Neither my wife or daughter have seen me high and I’m so thankful for that! The person who I was is dead and I’m a new creation in Christ. They get to know the real me, not some counterfeit.
And last year I left my job of nearly 5 years as an insurance agent to start my own business, Monen, Inc. I now get to work full-time as a freelance copywriter and do work I enjoy while working from home.
But most of all I’m getting to know this person I cried out to on the bathroom floor eight years ago: Jesus.
I’ve experienced His love and His presence which have rocked my world more than any drug ever could. I’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit which has given me power to live this new life. And He has given me a hunger for His Word which has allowed me to know Him more and has helped renew my mind.
I’ve seen miracles happen right before my eyes…
Like the time gold appeared out of nowhere and cover the floor in a meeting, people healed (one lady I prayed for got healed of cancer and I saw her a year after that and she let me know the cancer was still all gone!). I’ve got to travel to India for ministry where I learned that “knowledge puffs up but love edifies.” I’ve seen inmates delivered from addiction at my local prison where I preach.
So when people try to tell me that God doesn’t perform miracles anymore I tell them it’s too late, I’ve seen too many already!
I’m not saying life is perfect. I have bad days like anyone else. I get annoyed at people I disagree with and I don’t like slow drivers (especially in the left lane).
But every day I wake up is a gift from God and I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams. When I hold my little girl in my arms and see her smile and coo at me, my heart just melts and I feel like the richest guy in the world! I think, there is nowhere else in the world I’d rather be then right here holding you. I got to snuggle my wife and daughter before going to bed last night and my wife said, “Doesn’t this just feel like the way it’s supposed to be?” I thought about it and said, “Yeah… it does.”
God’s grace is so real and so good! I love Him.
About Josh Monen
Josh is a Christian entrepreneur who lives in Central Texas with his wife and 4 kids.
Josh – Thank you for sharing such a personal story. So powerful! I’m so grateful for people like you who are willing to share their story and encourage others. My husband (Israel – Pedro’s son) will have his 5-year sobriety date on June 17th (Father’s Day) – he is sober today because of God’s grace as well. I admire and respect both of you so so much – and again, Thank you for sharing.
Tiffany Bernabe
Wow Josh!
What an amazing story. I feel so honored to know you and to see God’s hand at work in your life. Thanks for being transparent and sharing like this.
-Doc Adams
It’s an honor to know you too Doc! I love sharing the good work God’s done. 🙂
I fell off the wagon last nite ur story has given me hope I thought I had my coke habit under control but I got it wrong again your story was beautiful and it made me smile thank you for sharing Karen
Hi Karen, thank you for sharing. I understand what it’s like to think you have it “under control.” Something that really helped me was finding out that my own “willpower” was insufficient when it came to getting clean and sober. That’s where God’s power comes in. He has the power to set us free.
Hi Josh, thank you for reminding me how it feels to relapse. I have been clean of alcohol and cocaine for 14 months now and I feel great. I see my therapist once a week and I go to groups from time to time to listen stories like yours and avoid forgetting how bad are the consequences of relapsing. When you told the story about peeking in the windows looking for the cops about to break in I remember of myself. It is not funny realizing that you are loosing your mind, it was so clear to me that finally, with the help of my family I was able to return to sanity. I realized how fragile our balance is, and I learn to take care of it, like a garden, working every day on it and never forgetting to clean it. At the beginning was difficult, but eventually I accepted my limitations and I decided that some things are not good for me, like alcohol. I wasn’t a big drinker but alcohol manny times led me to cocaine, so I stop drinking and the cocaine problem was gone, among manny other problems. I hope I can continue in this path and be an inspiration to others too, like you.
Hi Gonzo, congratulations on your sobriety and thank you for taking time to share part of your story too. It’s good to hear other people’s stories and to share your own. It can help you feel less “alone” (at least it did for me).
Hi Josh,
I found your webpage while googling about cocaine relapse. I was clean for 19 days but relapsed last night. My use has never been too extreme, but the routine in which I used was very indicative of an addition. I would use alone and do 1-2 days binges. I would neglect my responsibilities and not worry about the financial, social, and physical consequences of using this drug. Right now I am feeling pretty down. My question to you is, how did you bring Jesus/God your life during times when you are were craving? I have never been very religious but after reading your story it has given me faith that some higher power can help guide toward recovery. I truly do not want to do this damned drug ever again. But it seems like every time I try to quit I will relapse after 2-3 weeks. It’s a terrible feeling.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Hope you are doing well.
Hi,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m sorry to hear about your relapse but I’m glad you’re looking for help and answers. You asked how I brought God into my life during times when I was craving. And to be honest, after I was born again I never had one single craving after that! That’s one of the reasons I knew Jesus was real and that he really did deliver me from my addiction. I realize it’s not like this for everyone so don’t feel like you’re doing something wrong if this isn’t the case for you. However, I would encourage you to pray and ask God to deliver you from the demons of addiction. Without deliverance it’s a really rough ongoing battle.
Another thing I would recommend is to find someone who can mentor/disciple/sponsor you. I’ve found that while God does speak to us directly, he also chooses to speak to us through people. And addiction is something you can’t fight on your own. So pray for and believe that God will send someone into your life to help you walk through this. And seek them out after you pray. Also, if you have further questions feel free to email me directly at jmonen @ gmail dot com. I’ll be praying for you! There is hope… don’t give up.
Hey, thanks for raising this up! How does a person know they are addicted?