Breaking the Cycle
After years of drug and alcohol addiction, nearly a decade spent in prison, and no home of his own, Demetres B.—with the help of his mom—decided it was time to take responsibility and accountability for his life.
“When I got out of prison, me and my mom decided, ‘We gotta do something different to break the cycle.’”
But Demetres had been an addict most of his adult life, and he felt hopeless.
“Once the euphoria of the high wore off, I thought about suicide so many times. Even with kids, even with people who loved me, I felt alone in my addiction.”
Demetres tried a couple of different programs, but it wasn’t until he went to CaringWorks’ Hope House—a 70-bed residential treatment facility in downtown Atlanta for men who have experienced homelessness and are in recovery from substance addiction—that the pieces of his life began falling into place.
“When I got to Hope House, it was the structure I needed. The counselors and everybody kept saying, ‘Give it a chance, give it a chance.’”
And so, he did.
Demetres says it made a big difference that he was getting help from Hope House team members who had first-hand experiences with addiction and homelessness.
“They were able to understand me. They were able to meet me right where I was. They helped me get to a place where I couldn’t do anything but succeed.”
A turning point for Demetres was when team members helped him realize the impact of his actions.
“They showed me the self-centeredness of the drug use. I didn’t think about the people that loved me. Everything I did was for my pleasure. Coming to terms with my narcissistic behavior and mindset, that was a hard thing to do.”
Demetres thrived at Hope House. He gained an appreciation for discipline, routines, and he got the support and encouragement he needed to commit to sobriety.
“If people really want to change, the Hope House is a miracle. I can’t dream of a better place for that time in my life.”
After nearly 14 months at Hope House, Demetres was accepted into another CaringWorks program, and he moved into an apartment. The program—called Level Up—is designed for people who have completed a residential treatment program, are actively participating in an aftercare program, have at least one year of sobriety, have a full-time job, and have an open savings account.
Level Up Senior Care Coordinator Daryl Hogan says that the program helps participants overcome obstacles to employment, find a job that that will enable them to be financially independent, and create a financial plan and set goals toward their career and educational aspirations.
“Speaking from a recovering person’s point of view—which I am—I have experienced and witnessed the desire to become independent, and that’s what this program helps our clients achieve.”
Applying what he learned at Hope House and with ongoing support from the CaringWorks team, Demetres successfully completed the Level Up program after one year.
“At Hope House, I didn’t understand why they made me get up early and do chores, but I’ve integrated that into living in my apartment, and at my job,” Demetres said. “They taught me how to maintain my money, maintain my life. All those things are instrumental.”
Daryl says that Demetres is an example of how—with the right support—people can be empowered to change.
“It’s rewarding to see an individual like Demetres go through their barriers, succeed, and receive the keys to their own independence.”
Demetres signs his first apartment lease.
At 46 years old, Demetres recently became the lease holder on his own apartment for the first time in his life, and he continues to excel professionally and personally.
“I never knew life could transform in such a short period of time,” he said. “I’ve held a job for more than a year, I’ve had two promotions. My kids are back in my life; I get texts from my children that they’re proud of me.”
Demetres says he is committed to lifelong recovery, which for him means surrounding himself with a support network of others who can relate to his experiences.
“I need to be around other people who went through what I went through,” he said.
Demetres says he works hard not to regret his past, but instead looks forward to accomplishing much more in his future.
“My past failures have become my motivation. I can’t stop now.”
One of his biggest cheerleaders, Demetres says, is his mom.
“My mom has 31 years clean; she’s my sponsor, my mentor. She’s so proud of me.”
Help more people break the cycle of homelessness.
About CaringWorks:
Built on the single idea that all people—no matter their social or economic standing—should have a chance to improve their quality of life, CaringWorks has served thousands of clients since our inception in 2002. Since then we have grown exponentially to become one of Georgia’s leaders in providing permanent supportive housing. We serve hundreds of individuals each year through unique programs and services that are specifically tailored to the needs of those facing chronic homelessness.
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October 2024