Ray has experienced 35 years of drug addiction in and out of jails and hospitals where he spent 3 weeks in a coma and 2 months learning how to walk again. Ray survived 7 open heart surgeries (3 in 1 year), brain surgery, and an amputated left foot all while remaining in a 12 step fellowship program. Ray has been clean and sober now for 4 plus years. He is semi back to work living a productive life and even started his own small business.   At any point, he could have given up but he chose to overcome and adapt to a new way of life.

We learned from Ray:

If you want to experience drugs first think about what you want to do, what you enjoy, the people you love and who love you…then say, “Good-bye” to all of that!

*Doing drugs may help you to temporarily forget all of your problems, but in the long run it will only create larger problems. 

*When you are exposed to hard-core drugs you have no fear and actually become numb. 

*Never giving up, having family and friend support, and following your dreams all help you get through addictions.

Gretatude: 

*Don’t let the past steal your present- Terri Guillemets

 *Even in the midst of devastation, something within us always points the way to freedom-Sharon Salzberg

 *Recovery is hard. Regret is harder-Brittany Burgunder

You can reach out to Ray Bassin on Facebook or text him at 440-339-0786.