Blake joined The Carpenter’s Arms in December 2022, and has since had a remarkable journey of recovery, celebrating several milestones of achievement.
As Blake moved into one of our Phase 3 houses, he quickly assumed the role of a house Dad – an integral position within The Carpenter’s Arms. Being a House Dad holds great significance as it involves providing support, guidance, and mentorship to fellow residents on their own recovery journeys. We’re delighted that Blake has now happily re-joined his family.
We asked Blake to tell us in his own words about his journey and what being a House Dad means to him.
“Hi, I’m Blake Murray, I’m 31 years old and I’m a recovering addict. I’m from a little town in Kent called Deal. I’ve been addicted to crack, cocaine, and cannabis for 12 years. I struggled with mental health from my early 20s and was sectioned twice, being in and out of mental health hospitals for many years due to using drugs to cope with my emotions and feelings. I have always struggled with my image and self-worth and never knew how to be open and honest.
I lied about using drugs and wore many masks to cover up my addiction and that just got worse and worse until no-one believed a word I said. I pushed family and loved ones away.
I have a little boy who I adore and want to be the best role model I possibly can for him. For me, not having a father figure in my life, not having my dad around was hard for me. I felt lucky I had my grandad who always stepped up, but I don’t want the same for my son, so I reached out and called the Carpenter’s Arms to change my life.
It has been a rough journey, with my mum suffering from breast cancer and having to pick up all my pieces from my wild addiction along the way, but I’ve found my Lord and saviour who has given me life again and I now feel at my best. I no longer wear any masks and can be my true- self and I know my Identity today in Christ.
I also use to wear 2-to-3 T-shirts and a jumper before I would leave the house because I had a massive issue with my weight. However, today I can say that I only wear one t-shirt and I’m happy! Now I’m seeing my son on a regular basis and have beautiful contact with all my family. I’m the house dad in Phase 3 and a support worker for Phase 1 and feel I’m growing stronger in faith and in my recovery, and my life, and look forward to what the Lord has planned.”
Blake’s achievements stand as a testament to the transformative nature of recovery and the hope it can bring to those battling addiction. As we continue to witness stories like Blake’s, we are reminded of the importance of fostering a safe and nurturing environment for individual seeking to overcome their struggles. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of Blake’s journey, and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones of achievement with him and others in the future.
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