Michael's Story 

Michael Waggoner was just a kid trying to hang out with the 'popular' kids, when he got addicted to drugs. As a kid, Michael was a nerdy, only child, who felt like he didn't fit in with any specific group of people. He wanted to be accepted so he started partying and hanging out with the 'cool kids'. He said, "It went from an occasional thing to every chance kinda thing. I went from smoking weed, to smoking weed and drinking, to doing anything I could get my hands on. I found freedom in getting high and for the first time in my life, I was comfortable." 

    Over time, Michael became addicted to opiates. He became addicted to Oxycontin in 2009, which lead to him using heroin. His addiction got very bad and took priority over everything he did. He died a total of 15 times due to drug overdose. Michael said, "In reality, I wanted to die. I absolutely hated the person that I had become as a result of my addiction to drugs and alcohol." 

    Michael has been arrested many times and has been to a total of 7 treatment programs and multiple detox centers. in April of 2019, He went back to jail but felt completely defeated by drugs, so he finally made the decidion to try to put his life back together. He did about 130 days in jail and he then entered himself into a long term treatment program. He started fixing up his life and became sober. 

    Today Michael is rebuilding relationships with his family and can finally be a dad to his son. He is now a recovery coach and can help others who went through the same thing he did. 

“Just Think Twice.” Michael Waggoner's Story | Just Think Twice, www.justthinktwice.gov/true-stories/michael-waggoners-story.