By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
A former drug addict is helping others break the chains of addiction. Liberty County residents Robbie Morgan and wife, Rachelle, are the directors of Turning Point Recovery, a free drug addiction ministry that operates under the Open House Ministries in Liberty.
For 15 years, addiction to pain pills and other drugs controlled Robbie’s life until he reached his own turning point about six years ago.
“I got to the point where I was going to the doctor all the time just to get pain pills. Then the doctors starting giving me muscle relaxers and Xanax, along with my pain pills,” he said. “I moved over to Oxycontin and was doing about 80 milligrams at a time. A small pain pill is usually about 5 milligrams to put that in perspective.”
As his addiction grew, he began snorting Oxycontin, a drug that is intended for time-release pain relief.
“We moved from Texas to Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The reason for us moving was because I was like a hound dog looking for the drugs. I could find the pills,” he said. “My wife was trying to get me away from it but it didn’t do any good until I realized that I had to change.”
Robbie’s turning point was the day his wife threatened to walk out on their marriage with their children.
“I didn’t realize what it was doing to my wife and children. I didn’t realize how much time had gotten away from me. She told me she’s had enough of my addiction. She said I was either going to get straight or they were gone. I knew she was serious,” he said.
With his devoted wife by his side, Robbie began the painful detoxification process that included withdrawals, no sleep, vomiting and diarrhea.
“She was there to see me through it,” he said.
After being clean for six years, Robbie now is ready to help others by sharing his own experiences and teaching a six-month curriculum designed to help recovering addicts.
“No matter what your past is, you have a future if you are willing to change. With this program we are starting, we are here to help people who want help. We are not going to bring up your past. We are there to show love,” he said. “The curriculum we use has an 80 percent success rate. It’s a six-month, work-at-your-own-pace program. It can be finished in as little as six months or you can take as long as a year.”
Participants will earn merit badges as they reach milestones in their recovery. Robbie says the program transforms lives.
“The biggest hurdle is admitting you have a problem. There are resources that can help you. There is no shame. When you come to the program, no one is going to look down on you or beat you over the head with a Bible,” he said. “This is not a church recruitment. It’s Biblically-based and designed around the Bible though. It will help you with your struggles throughout the day. We want to show people love and want them to see that what the world has to offer – with pills, drugs and alcohol — is not love.”
The six-month program will begin on Aug. 30, 7 to 9 p.m., with a registration meeting. The classes will be held every following Friday night from 7 to 9 p.m. All meetings are held at Open House Ministries, 3605 N. Main St., Liberty.
For more information, call Robbie or Rachelle Morgan at 936-641-0041 or 936-641-0034 or send email to tprministry@gmail.com.