My Addiction Started When I Was 11 yrs old ...

Capture
In July 2024, I returned to Turning Point Men’s Home straight from the hospital after my fifth overdose. My name is Francisco Almazan, and I am 23 years old. Today, I wake up sober, able to speak with my family without them fearing for my life. All the glory belongs to God—I wouldn’t be here without Him.

My addiction began when I was just 11 years old. Despite growing up in a loving home with everything I needed, my teenage years took a dark turn.  Depression and anxiety became my daily battles, and I sought relief in alcohol, drugs, and relationships—always trying to fill a void that never seemed to go away.

At 18, I suffered my first overdose. My mother took me to church, hoping I would find help through a friend who was in the program. But in my stubbornness, I refused to submit to God. My addiction only deepened, and over time, I lost my family’s trust, the woman I loved, my home, my job— everything that once gave me a sense of purpose. My life had become a nightmare.

Hitting rock bottom, I finally gave both Turning Point and God a chance. During my six months in the program, I grew close to God, worshipping Him and playing guitar for the church. But I was only going through the motions. The day I left, I relapsed, and everything I had regained slipped away once more.
Psalm 402 3 – “he lifted me out of the slimy pit  out of the mud and mire  he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. he put a new song in my mouth  a hymn of praise to our god.”
Sobriety
My pride and disobedience had kept me from fully surrendering.  This time, I am committed to completing a full year, determined to embrace everything the program has to offer. I am grateful to Turning Point for welcoming me back and believing in me.

I have reconciled with my family—my parents have their son back, and I can finally be a big brother again.

Words cannot express how truly blessed I am by the Lord. His mercy has never failed me.  God has given me the strength to stay clean, and I trust He will restore my life, allowing me to build a future rooted in faith and purpose.

I could have been dead, incarcerated, or hopeless on the streets—but Turning Point Men’s Home exists for people like me, providing a place of hope and transformation. This ministry would not be possible without the generosity of those who support it.

I leave you with this promise from Acts 2:21: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
— Francisco Almazan