OH_Annual_Report_200.. - Odyssey House

Alex making hisspeech at hisgraduationresidents story - alexNineteen year old Alex grew up on the far north coast ofNSW with his older brother in what seemed like paradise.There was however a darker side to paradise and Alexdeveloped a liking for smoking cannabis at an early age.“I tried marijuana for the first time and loved it. It made meforget about all the things I was already suppressingwithout even trying, and I think that in some way it helpedme feel secure with who I was.” Alex’s drug use acceleratedand diversified over time.“By the time I completed the program, I felt confidentabout the direction I wanted my life to take and the valueson which to build that life.” Alex is now in a stablerelationship and working for a high profile firm in thefinance industry. “My family relationships are the strongestthey have ever been. I have a strong belief in myself and myfuture and that is due largely to what I learned in OdysseyHouse. Drugs and the lawlessness that go with them arenow behind me and I have a future”.By the time he reached High School he was selling drugs.“My drug use escalated and my relationships with both myfamily and those close to me suffered. Two exams short ofcompleting my HSC, my brother and I were arrested fornumerous drug offences and I found myself on remand inGrafton Gaol. The reality of my situation came crushingdown around me. I had been living in a dream world;thinking I was invincible.”“This event proved to be a catalyst for bringing my familytogether. Up until this time, I had very little involvementwith much of my family. It was amazing how the familyrallied around my brother and I when we were arrested.After four months we were given bail and came to OdysseyHouse.”“At first I saw Odyssey House as a ticket out of gaol. I felt Icould not trust anyone except my brother and this madethings difficult. After a while I started to change the way Iviewed the program and started to participate morehonestly. With this shift I started to enjoy being here. Iaccepted that things needed to be earned and I started toappreciate the things I had rather than taking them forgranted as I used to do.”“Letting go of beliefs was definitely not an easy task, andat times I felt like I was a ‘bare nothing’ of a human being.At this stage I didn’t find it hard to trust what people weretelling me because I had living proof right in front of me -everyday. I also had nothing to lose and a great life togain.”ODYSSEY HOUSE52006ANNUAL REPORT