I am a cocaine addict and my name is Mechie.
I say it that way because without knowing what I am, I will never know who I am. December 11, 2010, is my God-given sobriety date and this is my story.
I’ve heard many people say, “I was just not ready for the message.” After many vain attempts and failures, I finally saw just what this meant. Desperation creates willingness and, at the time, I was not willing to do “whatever it takes”…until I went to Dove Tree.
Two weeks before entering Dove Tree, I was charged with drug possession. I had just dropped out of college for the third time and I had little hope left of getting my life back together. At the same time, I found out I was going to be a father.
To say that I came in to recovery with guilt, shame, and remorse would be an understatement. On my fourth day at Dove Tree, I packed all my stuff in a sheet and ran away down a dirt field in Lubbock. I have always been a runner. I was running not only from the fear of the unknown, but from my past. I did not know who I was and I could not see myself making it. I was chased down by two staff members who ended up being my best friends in life. They knew what I was doing because they themselves had done the same.
They asked me the most pivotal question I had ever faced: what are you running from? For the first time in my life, I broke down and surrendered to doing whatever it took.
Returning to Dove Tree, I worked extensively with some of the best counselors and people I have ever met. They believed in me and helped me learn how to love myself. They introduced me to two topics that drive me to this day: PURPOSE and IDENTITY. They taught me about the disease of addiction and that using was only a symptom of it.
Everything, for once in my life, clicked! I had accepted being an addict and was freed.
I listened to staff recommendations and went to sober living. Through the help of Karmen Adkins, the clinical director, I was able to attend school again. It was my purpose and identity that had been missing the whole time!
I am now able to be a present father in my child’s life–she has never seen the old me on drugs. Thanks to God and Dove Tree, I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Texas Tech and I now work at the place that saved my life and commit every day to helping others.
Mechie Scherpereel is the alumni coordinator at Ranch at Dove Tree.
Amazing story brother!
Thank you so much for sharing that Mechie. I truly believe that when we allow ourselves to be transparent with our recovery, the need for someone else to begin their own journey is possible. You have definitely played a strong role in my life and for that I am eternally grateful. Also, thank you Dove Tree for providing the tools in my recovery. Sober since 10/15/2011 “Recovery is Real”
I love this. The ranch was my start to a new life also!!!! I can not love this enough!!
Love ya Meechie! Miss you bud and your story is SO inspiring that you should be proud man. HUMBLE…but proud.
Fantastic short to the point inviting open revealing. Probably should have mentioned the love of God to help in his life.
Your passion is truly contagious . I truly enjoy your group on Wednesday. Like you , the ranch saved my life . I was a 52 year old meth addict that needed a new way of life and DoveTree gave me the tools to put it in motion . Thank you
Mechie was one of the first people I met at Dove Tree and as he showed me around the campus, he shared his story. I also felt the need to run one night, but because of his story, I stuck it out and made it through. He inspired me to WANT to start the healing process of the disease of addiction, and how to stay strong to my convictions.
God is good and thank you Dove Tree. My Son has been in your facility twice and in my opinion you are an awesome facility. He was guided by an amazing man named Chess on both occasions… Thank you to you and your staff Dove Tree…
I’m so proud of you Mechie. I knew you in your worst of times and was there when we found out you were going to be a dad. I’m so glad you had the strength and support to overcome your addicton. I can tell just by the things you’ve done since then that you have become a great man and a great father. I wish you the best of luck in your future and hope you inspire many more people. I love you my friend.
I don’t know how much contact you actually receive from people who have been to RDT after they leave, but I suspect that you hear about every one of the people who leave there and don’t make it. You and I didn’t really interact on a personal level while I was there for 3 weeks but you had a bigger impact on me than my own counselor did. I remember your name and I can’t even remember his or really anyone else there. But you were honest, genuine, and raw. You didn’t mind showing us your emotions and expressing with feeling how important your relationship with your God was to your own survival. I had truly lost my connection with my God and I felt completely alone. After I got out of rehab I struggled with alcohol for probably 3 or 4 months afterwards off and on. But the things that I remembered you saying and your relationship with God as an example rang in my ears. It wasn’t until I got on my knees finally and submitted myself to the Creator and asked for help and admitted that I was helpless to fight against it that I was given freedom from bondage of that addiction, immediately. It has been 4 years now, and I am sober and free. I wanted to thank you but mostly I just wanted you to know how much of an impact you had. I want you to know that what you do there matters, and it’s measurable. Because I am alive. I’m still married to my wife, and I have a growing relationship with my daughter. I would have none of that if God hadn’t touched my heart, in no small part, through your boldness of spirit, humble words, and willingness to serve your God.
Thank you.
Your God IS God. May He bless you as He has blessed others through you.