Cailan’s story

I began my journey to recovery on 20 February 2020. I initially didn’t want to go to the recovery program because, one, it meant following rules and, two, I was so far gone in my addiction that I didn’t see a way to fix it – no matter how good a program was available.

It also meant acknowledging that I did have a problem, and that was a giant I did not want to face. But, alas, despite everything inside me telling me not to, I went – although, at the time, it was mostly to keep my family happy.

When I began my journey at Teen Challenge SA, I immediately felt a sense of love and belonging. All the men I went into the program with were caring and supportive, and for the first time in a decade, I felt I was not alone in my struggles. This spurred me on to go for eight weeks. I reached that milestone and could not bring myself to leave; however, I truly believe God kept me there. As the world shut down from COVID, I decided to stay and to try and rebuild a life that, in my heart, I so very dearly wanted and, now looking through sober eyes, I was beginning.

I started to realise the gravity of the situation and the darkness I was in. However, Jesus is a faithful, loving friend, and I also began to feel his presence. I started attending Bible studies and felt an intangible hope and happiness. I still had a heap of work to do, but hope is an amazing thing – it pushes you and encourages you to persevere through the dark and difficult times.

I continued to progress through the program and found I actually grew the most through the challenges. So, I encourage all of you to persevere and press on through the hard and testing times. While you may not feel it now, it will build you into the person you need to be when you complete the program.
As I neared stage four, I still had no driver’s licence and no idea what I would do when I completed the program. But praise God, I went to the doctor and then onto a neural specialist, where I was given my licence back.

Despite this, I was still left with the ‘what now?’ feeling. God answered that in two stages – the first being the newly created intern program. This allowed me to go out into the world and begin making good decisions with the security of having the wisdom of Darren and others involved in the program to bounce struggles and concerns off.

After a time, I became involved at the Gully Church and decided to move back home and pursue the life God had helped me create. It was several months, in fact, closer to a year before I gained employment.

I had several interviews, but unfortunately, I didn’t get those jobs. However, in God’s wisdom and provision, he placed the stepson of someone involved in Teen Challenge SA into my life, who was looking for a labourer. I was looking for work, so we began my journey to gaining an apprenticeship. It wasn’t simple or quick, but it did eventuate, and I am now in my second year of being a carpenter’s apprentice. I am also beginning to plan a life with my wonderful partner, Lauren, who I met at church.

Teen Challenge SA isn’t just life-changing – it is life-saving and life-giving.