Hello, my name is Carlos Mendoza, and I am a grateful recovering addict.  I was born to parents that were active in their addiction.  I was introduced to drugs at the early age of 14.  I used drugs to feel accepted by my peers.  At first I used socially, and then it progressed through the years.  As I became a young adult, I was able to use drugs and still function normally.  Some would call it a “high-functioning addict”.  In 2019 things changed drastically in my and my family’s life.  Personal things happened to my daughter that triggered the same things that happened to me in my childhood.  That’s when I began using drugs and alcohol to numb my feelings and not wanting to cope with life.  I hit my rock bottom when I found myself sitting on the side of the road getting high all night. I felt lost and hopeless, and I knew I was losing control.  That is when I admitted to myself that I had a problem, and I could not do this on my own.

I found the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) where I had heard people share about the exact things that I had been going through and I knew right then and there that I was not alone in my addiction. My clean date is 5/30/2021 and it is sacred to me.  I attend meetings regularly.  I have a sponsor.  I work steps and traditions as well as spiritual principles in all my daily affairs.  I am of service in and out of rooms of NA.

I found a new way of life free from active addiction.  I was able to return to work and help others as a Peer and hopefully change somebody’s life. If you are struggling and need support, I am here.  Reach out to me at any time.  You don’t have to go through this alone.  I am honored and grateful to be of service to the peer program.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, it that we are powerful beyond measure, it is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.”

Carlos Mendoza