Exactly 6 months and one day ago today, I took a life changing ride in a police car from Northsight Blvd down to the city jail in downtown Scottsdale. For approximately the past week (my memory of this time period is hazy) I had been camping in a gated dumpster area behind what was formerly a Sam's club, just next to Walmart with an ex girlfriend. We had quite the setup, including a hammock, isobutane camp stove, kitchen set with plates and cookware, camp shower, etc.
We were boosting from Walmart and since it was the holiday season, they had increased security and loss prevention. I remember being in the store for several hours, over amped and continually going into the bathroom to smoke more meth. Im sure we were entirely obvious. I remember my final trip to the bathroom and coming out to her saying "I think that guy that followed you in there in the plaid shirt is LP." I told her to ditch her cart and leave and I would meet her back at camp. I took all the merchandise I was going to steal and put it in an isle (it was a backpack full of stuff) I went outside and was greeted by several police cars and was immediately detained, barely catching a final glimpse of my accomplice exiting the property safely. I was asked if I would consent to a search and said no because I had about a 1/4 oz of meth right in my pocket. I was charged with "shoplifting concealment" even though I didn't steal anything which gave the police the right to search me. They found the meth and a broken pipe and i was also charged with felony dangerous drug and paraphernalia possession. As of this writing that was the last time I got high. I was taken to Scottsdale jail overnight and transported to 4th Ave in the morning. That began my journey of incarceration that lasted through April of this year.
Today I am grateful for the LP team at the northsight Walmart, the officers that arrested me, and the events that took place that day. Without any of those people, I would not have had an opportunity to see the light and finally man up. I'm grateful to celebrate 6 months of continuous sobriety today. I'm grateful for the rooms, for my sponsor and my relentlessly supportive family.
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