Success Stories

Road to Recovery Mentor - The Life of Jeffrey Baynes

Hi, my name is Jeffrey Baynes, and I am a grateful recovering addict. My story of addiction is a long and tragic story like many other addicts.  My life was centered in alcohol, drugs and crime.  However I was in complete denial of my state of addiction, ending up homeless, in trouble with the law and having no faith or hope.  In December 2001, I was convicted in Washington County.  My past had caught up with me and I was completely powerless.  The time had come for me to admit personal defeat, but did I?  No, I wasn't ready yet to be done with my addiction.  I was introduced to my Probation Officer, Cynthia Tomlin.  Without going into great detail I will say she guided me towards drug and alcohol treatment. That treatment was designed to not only address addiction but criminality as well, something that most addicts really need but don't usually want to acknowledge.  As a part of my drug and alcohol treatment program, I was introduced to a Recovery Mentor who inspired me to find employment, and develop a clean & sober support group in the community.  This was a vital part of my success in not only completing supervision, but more importantly, becoming the person I am today.  I now have seven years clean and sober and am very strong in faith-based as well as secular recovery groups.  I am now not just a part of the community, but because of those that believed in me, I am a part of the solution.  I am currently working as a Recovery Mentor and have the wonderful opportunity to share my hope and experience with others who are facing the same struggles I did five years ago.  I continue to grow in my recovery and in my faith.  I am grateful to God for putting people in my life, such as my Probation Officer, treatment providers, and others who took a personal interest in providing me with the support I needed to become the person I am today.  I look forward to being a part of the solution for as long as I am alive.