Today, more than a decade later, that same man is preparing to graduate from Marshall with an undergraduate degree in social work, with plans to pursue his master’s. He is five years in recovery and has helped a number of others with the recovery process through his work with West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network and other organizations.
So how does one go from homelessness and addiction to a summa cum laude college graduate?
“At the age of 35, I’d been talking about going to rehab for a while,” Jeremy said. “I was tired of being homeless. Every day I was just trying to figure out how to survive.”
It was September 2019, and Jeremy’s sister and mother — who had always supported him — helped him enter Recovery Point in Huntington.
“They dropped me off, and I had my bags and off I went to detox,” Jeremy said.
Having been through detox a time or two previously, he knew the sickness, dope sick they call it, that would follow.
“It was cool, though, because the people there were so supportive. It was like almost bootcamp in some ways. It was very structured: early alarm, chores, eat, classes and seminars and recovery meetings.”
But his journey wasn’t straightforward. Halfway through the program, Jeremy dropped out of the program, not once, but twice. The second time he headed to his hometown in southern West Virginia where he began using substances heavily again.
“I overdosed twice, and the second time, I thought, ‘I’m going to die in this small town and I’ve never done a single thing with my life.’ So, I decided to give Recovery Point another shot.”
This time was different. It was 2020, and COVID protocols were in full force. The facility was locked down, which meant very little contact with the outside world. He had time to reflect on the people and programs that were so much a part of his life.
“This time I was determined, and nothing was going to stop me. This third time, I saw others who were working in recovery and helping others, and I thought I could do that.”
As Jeremy successfully continued through the recovery program, he began working as a peer mentor helping those struggling in the early days of their recovery. As the months rolled by, he advanced from peer mentor to supervisor and eventually was hired by Recovery Point as a permanent employee when he successfully completed the program. At that time, he also earned his GED.
For Jeremy, the act of helping others stirred early memories of his stepfather’s career in social work.
“As I was calculating how I could build the life I want, have the impact I want, I started looking at college,” he said. “I thought about psychology, but as I talked with others, I realized I really wanted a career in social work. And, of course, just like my stepdad!”
As a 30-something, the thought of entering college as a freshman was daunting on several levels, but Jeremy prevailed. In August of 2022, he entered Marshall University as a student.
“I was uncomfortable,” he said. “Not only the age difference, but a feeling of not belonging. A self-stigma that I didn’t belong.”
But Jeremy did belong. Conversations with other students, professors and staff made him feel welcome, and he discovered programs like the Marshall University Collegiate Recovery Community, part of the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network, which helps college students going through recovery. That first semester, Jeremy made the Dean’s List and he never looked back.
This December, Jeremy will walk across the stage as a summa cum laude graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Graduate school is on the horizon, and he hopes to continue to give back. His words for anyone with a substance use issue?
“Not only am I living proof, but there are so many others who are also living proof that you can do it. I’ve found that when people in recovery have the right support, they are unstoppable. They can go after what they want and achieve it.”
