Chase Maddox Story

It's been nearly six years since I made the leap to New York, and it has certainly been a whirlwind of experiences. I chose to move here after enduring a challenging work environment with a previous employer where I served as a union representative. My position was unwelcome by upper management, and things escalated when I began actively holding them accountable for their policies and procedures. Unfortunately, this made me a target, resulting in three baseless write-ups, each leading to a three-week suspension. Over time, I lost control of my finances. Although each write-up was ultimately dismissed and I was invited to return, I made the difficult decision to resign because I could no longer afford to stay afloat. This experience left a profound impact on me, causing trauma and leading to a depressive state.

I arrived in New York with no money, just a suitcase filled with clothes, and a determination to rebuild my life. I was assigned to a shelter through HRA, where I was introduced to meth. I started by selling and eventually became addicted. This was all uncharted territory for me, and unfortunately, I lacked the support to guide me out of that darkness. Reflecting on it now, I realize I didn’t need someone to swoop in and save me; I needed the solitude to separate myself from that life. I had to be broken down so that our creator could rebuild me piece by piece.

In my recovery, I've approached each day with the mindset of taking it one step at a time while navigating the challenges of homelessness, addiction, and loneliness. These experiences have transformed me, making me more compassionate and empathetic. Back then, the word "resilience" wasn’t even in my vocabulary, but those hardships have shown me just how resilient I truly am. It is through these lived experiences that I was inspired to pursue a career in mental health. Today, I am grateful to be two years sober after a four-year battle with addiction, to have found a place I now call home, and to embark on a career that enables me to support others in ways I never thought possible.

Chase Maddox