A light at the end of the tunnel 

XENIA — Trapped in the horrors of hardcore drug addiction, Nathan Willis said he reached an all-time low point last year before getting clean and coming to Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative to start his new life. 

“I only saw death ahead of me,” Willis said. “I had to decide to do something, to change, or to continue letting everything consume me, getting deeper into drugs. 

Eventually, however, Beavercreek High School graduate said he had a moment of clarity in which he was able to rediscover his faith in God and turn over a new leaf.  

“I finally came to the realization that I wanted to live life,” he said. “This is a life and death situation.”

Willis decided to give himself a real chance at a new life and came to Emerge for help. And today, he is grateful for this opportunity.. 

“Emerge gave me the gift of time to learn more about who I am and what I want to achieve in life. Now, I have dreams and plans for my life.” 

A single father of a 12-year-old boy, Willis said he heard about Emerge through theMontgomery County public defender’s office. He and his mother took a tour in September and loved what they saw. 

Willis is fortunate to have a supportive family behind him, especially since he faced obstacles from a young age.

 “I come from a Christian background,” Willis said.My son was born when I was just 14 years old and his mom and I moved in with my dad and he took care of us.”

Willis, though, was not prepared for the responsibilities of parenthood and spent much of his time doing drugs and drinking with friends. Eventually he broke up with his son’s mother, who also became an addict. She introduced Willis to heroin when they got back together a few years later.

“For the next seven years, I was using heroin and fentanyl daily,” he said. “I lost custody of my son when I was 20 years old and my dad got custody.”

After losing his son, Willis’ addiction spiraled out of control. Eventually he went through multiple rehab programs in Springfield and Dayton. He describes his relationship with his son’s mother as “always toxic.”

“I wanted to get clean, but she was in and out,” Willissaid. “It ended up that I finally came to the realization that this was a life and death situation. 

Willis said that working with the team at Emerge has helped him gain clarity about his disease and how to handle it moving forward.  

“I had created this false reality and thought I could do whatever I wanted,” he said. “I realized I am not in control of the world, and everything doesn’t revolve around me.” 

With this realization, Willis knew he couldn’t beat addiction on his own.

 “I thank God for Emerge,” he said. “I love every single staff member and  how they work with you to become your best self.”

Willis has been sober since October 5 of last year and said his life in addiction before that date was spiraling out of control. 

“I got to the point where the manipulation and lying was so bad that I couldn’t stop,” Willis said. “I figure I spent $120,000 on drugs last year alone.”

 Willis said he was also able to rediscover his faith during his journey to sobriety. He was baptized in December and now follows a Christian path.  

 “I was so far away from my God for so long,” Willis said.” Now the things I do every day feel right within myself, and I can walk with confidence.” 

Willis’ son, Landon, 12, has also been a major motivation to help keep him clean. He has built a healthy, solid relationship with him and spends time with him regularly.

“He lives with my dad, but I see him often,” Willis said. “We plan things to do together.”

Willis is also active in a 12-step recovery program as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He also plans to serve in the military by joining the Air Force. For the first time in his life, Willis said he feels the future is very bright— although he lives one day at a time. 

“I go to church and bible study several times a week,” he said. I see myself making a career out of the Air Force. I eventually want to become a counselor and help more people like me.”