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Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well
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Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

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Four years ago, after police had just arrested Jason Wickline for manufacturing methamphetamine, Child Protective Services took away his son, Krystian. As they were walking him to the car, the boy turned to Jason and said, ‘Daddy, I love you and I’ll never forget you.’ He was four and thought he would never see his father again. The single dad broke down, bawling his eyes out. At that point, Jason didn’t know what was going to happen to his kid.

Not many can recover from such a low point. But Jason did. And he’s sharing his story to inspire others like him.

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: Jason Wickline

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: Jason Wickline

“I struggled with drugs most of my adult life (17 years) and started using regularly around age 20,” Wickline told Bored Panda. “My addiction really kicked in after a back injury when I was prescribed opiate pain killers.”

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: Jason Wickline

Even though Wickline was terrified, he also felt a sense of relief. He had been in and out of jail for about 15 years. He said he knew his life was never going to be the same again, realizing that the insanity that had been living in him was finally over.

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Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: Jason Wickline

After a judge offered Wickline the opportunity to go to long-term treatment, he instantly took it. The man had spent 13 months there, and shortly after, he appeared in court for sentencing.

He was facing 6 to 30 years.

However, Wickline was sentenced to just 30 months probation — on the condition that he stayed sober and find suitable housing.

Which is exactly what Wickline did.

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: Jason Wickline

Looking back, Wickline described his former self as an empty person, without purpose and care for others or himself. “My addiction took over my life,” he said. “I lost absolutely everything. When I walked into rehab, I literally had the clothes on my back.”

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: Jason Wickline

Eventually, Wickline regained custody of his now 9-year-old son, and has become a symbol of hope after participating in the recovery challenge on social media. He credited all of this to intensive long term inpatient treatment. “I drew strength from the others I met in treatment who had been where I had been and hurt the way I had hurt and had come out of it,” the man explained. “The treatment center I went to was a peer-driven recovery model where all employees were former clients.”

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Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: Jason Wickline

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Now, Wickline attends regular meetings and volunteers at treatment programs. He said he has never felt more alive.

“Life doesn’t happen to us, it happens around us and it’s up to us [to figure out] how we respond to what life may throw at us. The most important thing about my recovery today is it gives me the chance to give back to those that are right where I once was and to show them that they are not alone.”

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: Jason Wickline

Other recovering addicts also shared their stories

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

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Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

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Image credits: jennah.lindsey

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: kaytlen.phares.52

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: ‎Rob Lutman‎

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: Czariree

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Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: RecoveryUnplugd

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Image credits: cejones42

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

Ex-Addict Posts His Before & After Addiction Pics, Asks Others To Post Theirs As Well

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Denis Tymulis

Denis Tymulis

Author, Community member

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Denis is a photo editor at Bored Panda. After getting his bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design, he tried to succeed in digital design, advertising, and branding. Also, Denis really enjoys sports and loves everything related to board sports and water.

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Denis Tymulis

Denis Tymulis

Author, Community member

Denis is a photo editor at Bored Panda. After getting his bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design, he tried to succeed in digital design, advertising, and branding. Also, Denis really enjoys sports and loves everything related to board sports and water.

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Bobert Robertson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone who looks down on people for being “worthless junkies” needs a reality check. They are sick, and like other illnesses, they can regain their health. Kudos to all of these people

Sterrinatu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kudos the them and Kudos to those who supported them! It's tough getting clean and it's tough for those doing the supporting. I went through it with my mom and my brother, almost gave me a nervous breakdown but it was totally worth it.

Clavelle
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love looking at the before and afters. They look as if life has been breathed back into them. I'm happy that man got clean and got his little boy back.

Load More Comments
Bobert Robertson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone who looks down on people for being “worthless junkies” needs a reality check. They are sick, and like other illnesses, they can regain their health. Kudos to all of these people

Sterrinatu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kudos the them and Kudos to those who supported them! It's tough getting clean and it's tough for those doing the supporting. I went through it with my mom and my brother, almost gave me a nervous breakdown but it was totally worth it.

Clavelle
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love looking at the before and afters. They look as if life has been breathed back into them. I'm happy that man got clean and got his little boy back.

Load More Comments
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