Addiction is a beast — these words were heard by author and former addict Judd Hamilton following one of his relapses. These words were followed by a welcome and a second chance to change his life.
Hamilton, author of “Thank God for My Addiction: A Journey into the Inner Heart and Mind of an Addict,” shared the triumphs and tragedies of his life and recurring battles with addiction Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Community Center as the speaker for an Alumni, Family and Friends event hosted by Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services Inc.
Hamilton’s book was written as a journal, part of his efforts to address issues and overcome his feelings of emptiness and his struggle not to seek a high. On Wednesday, wearing a black sweatshirt emblazoned with the words, “God’s Plan” and a set of hands folded in prayer, Hamilton explained to the audience, “There are two things I know: cocaine and the Bible.”
He also noted that, while he does not know a lot about recovery, he does know a lot about addiction. He has had multiple opportunities to share his experiences with an audience, and he does so in order to let people know that others have had similar experiences to their current struggle. He noted addiction can be overcome.
Hamilton has faced tragedy, including the loss of his daughter to illness at the age of two.
He has lived with his only possessions crammed into a backpack on his back, and he has lived as a successful businessman with two clothing stores, a home, three cars and a full bank account.
Drugs had the power to bring his life from success to homelessness and chaos. His life was a series of seeking something more — which typically involved drugs.
Hamilton has found success by focusing on each day. When asked his clean date, his answer is the date for the current day. Instead of keeping track of his time clean, Hamilton prefers to put God first. Hamilton explained he “couldn’t get sober in AA. When people are talking steps, it’s like they are speaking French.”
For Hamilton, sobriety is not his goal. Instead, he puts God first. The change has made the difference in his efforts to overcome his addiction to drugs. His focus is on recovery as a journey, rather than as a destination.
Hamilton also stated, “We need to see the relationships God puts in front of us.”
He shared the story of audience members, who had traveled a significant distance to hear him speak because they have traveled part of his journey to recovery with him. They also had their own struggle, which was overcome for love and the desire to be a better person. Hamilton considered the one individual “someone significantly younger and much wiser than me.”
Angela Eckstrom, Executive Director/SCA County Administrator of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Inc., explained the event is one of a series held throughout the year to help reduce the stigma of addiction and the path to recovery.
The events are held four times each year and coincide with the seasons. In the Spring, the event is a speaker series. Alumni and family from the program are invited to share their own triumphs and stories of hope and recovery.
“All of us with addiction problems — we have a purpose. We have a reason to still be alive. There is a reason that we went through what we went through,” Hamilton said.
