For most of his life, Jacob lived with addiction. He began using substances at just 13 years old and spent years caught in a cycle of drug use, incarceration, and searching for something that would fill what he describes as a constant void. Following a devastating personal loss, Jacob found himself struggling with grief, homelessness, and uncertainty about his future.
“I knew I couldn’t keep living like that. I had to make a choice. Either I was going to fight for my life again, or I was going to lose everything.”
That decision led him to treatment and, ultimately, to Wayspring.
While receiving care in Louisville, Jacob was told someone had come to see him. That’s the day he met Shannon, a Wayspring engagement specialist who became one of the first members of the Wayspring team to support him in his recovery journey. At a time when he felt lost and alone, Shannon showed up with encouragement, practical support, and a belief in his ability to get better.
“Shannon was one of those people who genuinely cared. She showed up when I was at one of the lowest points in my life and helped me keep moving forward.”
At the time, recovery felt overwhelming. Jacob was working to rebuild his life without stable housing, reliable transportation, or many of the resources needed to stay engaged in care. Wayspring helped connect him to treatment and remove some of the practical barriers standing in his way.
As Jacob continued his recovery, he worked with different members of the Wayspring team, each playing a role in helping him stay connected to care and focused on his goals. Over time, the pieces of his life began coming back together. Jacob found employment, secured housing, and began rebuilding relationships that mattered most. One of the moments he treasures most is reconnecting with his son.
Today, Ashley serves as Jacob’s primary point of contact at Wayspring. Along with the broader care team, she helps him stay engaged in therapy and medication-assisted treatment while continuing to build a more stable future. The team checks in regularly, celebrates his progress, and helps him navigate challenges that can threaten recovery, ensuring he remains connected to the care and resources he needs.
“Ashley checks in all the time. It’s nice knowing somebody cares enough to make sure you’re doing okay.”
Today, Jacob’s life looks dramatically different from what it did. He and his wife, Erica, share the same sobriety date and support one another in their recovery every day.
“We’ve changed our entire lives. Not long ago, we were homeless, freezing in the winter, and wondering where we were going to sleep. Now we’ve got a home, we’ve got a car, and we’re happy. We have things to look forward to again.”
His message for others who are struggling is simple:
“There are people out there who care, even when you don’t think anybody does. Recovery is possible. Just keep going.”
Today, Jacob is living proof that recovery is possible when people have access to the right support. With help from his Wayspring care team, a commitment to treatment, and a determination to keep moving forward, he has rebuilt a life centered on stability, connection, and hope.
