There is no one specific challenge or event that Robert K. can point to as the reason he turned to drugs. Born December 25th, 1984 in Sioux City, Iowa, Robert's childhood was filled with challenges, including an ADHD diagnosis and several family moves that often left him feeling like an outsider. Over time, especially in response to the bullies that taunted him at school, he turned to fighting and violence. Lashing out, drinking and using drugs, became Robert's way of dealing with the world.

Eventually, that way caught up with him.

During his junior year of high school, Robert was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He had pulled a knife on his sister during an argument. He was sentenced to a juvenile detention facility. "I was 17 and coming off drugs," says Robert. "I hated life. I was mad at the world. It was everyone else's fault that I used drugs and that I was violent. I had to have a psychological evaluation. I scored a 100 out of 100 on the drug use portion of the exam. I did not think that it was possible -- I was not that bad, I was not a junkie. I had used drugs and alcohol to cover up the emotions of the things that I was doing wrong but I was not an addict or an alcoholic."

Though he still fought the idea that he was an addict -- and even tried to run away from the detention center after three months -- eventually he settled into working on his problems. "I was only gone for a total of 17 hours before I was caught at the bank withdrawing money from my account," he says. "I was placed under arrest and taken to jail, where I spent two weeks and was then sent back to the facility. I acted out a little bit when I first got there but decided that since they had not given up on me that I should give them a chance. I began to work with my program and got out of the facility about eight months later."

Shortly after getting out of the facility, Robert went to live with his parents. He had repaired his relationship with them through hard work and they agreed to take him back in if he went to college and worked part-time.

It didn't last long. Soon enough, Robert fell back in with old friends. "It was becoming out of control fast. I went right back into the old lifestyle and it was like I had never left. I was right back where I left off. I was drunk all of the time," he says. After that, he moved out of his parents' house, lost his job, and started dealing marijuana.

Eventually, after an episode of violence and a suicide attempt, Robert decided it was time to quit drinking -- but kept smoking marijuana. His friends were into harder drugs. It didn't take much for them to convince him to try cocaine and, soon after, to use meth for the second time in his life. "I decided that I loved it. One hit and I was hooked. I started using meth all the time. Day and night all I was looking for was the next high. I started selling meth for my dealer to get it cheaper. My house became a meth hang out. There were always about 20 people in my house. Meth began to take my soul but I did not care," he says. About six months later, he tried to go to a detox facility but, because he was still high, they would not take him. He continued to get high until one morning he woke up and decided that he could not live that way anymore. He knew he was letting many people down, and he had not spoken to his family in months. He felt that he looked physically disgusting. He went to a local place to get help with detox and was escorted by a recovering addict to the facility."

Here, in his own words, is Robert's tale of finally tackling his addiction:

I went to the detox facility on February 2nd, 2004, and was transferred to the hospital because my heart rate was not going down after 12 hours. When I got to the hospital they sent me to the ICU and told me that I was going to hurt. I told them that I was ready. I will never forget how bad it felt to come down. I felt bugs crawling out of my skin. I was sweating, and I was in so much pain. My parents said they could not come and see me like that, so the only person that I could think of besides them was my youth pastor. I called him and he came in and prayed with me.

Once I was in the behavioral health unit, people from church were the only ones to come and see me. My parents told me that I was going to do it on my own, I had got myself addicted and now it was time for me to get help for myself. After securing a spot in a rehab center in Salt Lake City, the place that had helped me get into detox said that they would help me fly out there. I left two days later..

I spent only 21 days in rehab, but I really never wanted to use meth again. I did not want that way of life for myself. I worked on my program honestly, but slipped up on alcohol for a couple months. I wanted to try to be a social drinker. But it became very obvious that I could not do it. I told myself that if I slept with anyone I did not know, used drugs, or drank on the weekdays, I would quit drinking. I slept with someone I did not know and started drinking during the day and stopped right away.

I quit drinking October 31, 2004. I have not drunk or used drugs since then. I decided it was time to be real with myself and quit living a lie. My life has gotten nothing but better since that point. I have had hard times, but I do not live worrying about going to jail or prison. I do not worry about getting pulled over by the police. I own my own car. I have my family back in my life. I am helping out communities around Wyoming by raising meth awareness. I live life to the fullest and can say I have never loved life as much as I do now. I have my higher power and that was the only thing that got me off and I can only stay off with my higher power in my life I keep Him very close to my heart. Without Him I am not strong, but with Him I can go through anything -- drug-, alcohol-, and crime-free.

April 03, 2009 I also hurt the people who cared about me. I used to wake up my best friend by knocking on his window late at night, to beg for ten or twenty dollars. My family stopped taking my phone calls. My mom threatened to put me in jail (I lived on her couch for some time). I knew I was better than that, but I had lost self-control, and forgotten who I was. Caring about people who cared about me was crucial in regards to the change. I changed back into Kerry, the working man, but I did it. -Kerry Sullivan

November 02, 2008 You're an inspiration to me. You gave me alot of hope, and I am almost have a year clean and have been having a hard time but hearing you sharing helped alot. Thanks -Ellen Taylor

June 06, 2008 I already knew you were a great person from working with you. Now I know how hard you have worked to be here. I thank God for you, your committment and willingness to share your story. -Marilyn Braaten

May 21, 2008 Your story is powerful. It's amazing how we change from hating our lives so much to loving them more than we ever dreamed was imaginable after kicking the habit! I'm so glad for you and all of the work you do. Keep carrying the message! -Stephanie Ratzell

May 19, 2008 You are wise beyound your years, thank you for sharing, together we will all make a difference!!!!!! -Jeana Prescott

May 14, 2008 Bravo my brother, bravo! -Sterling Cannon

May 14, 2008 To look at you, you would never know. You're spirit is uplifting, and you lift those around you. I thank God that you are here to tell your story because a lot of people in your previous situation could not be. Having addicts in my family, I know that they are extemely happy to see you clean today. You're an amazing young man lol -Mariam Madanat

May 14, 2008 Thank you for sharing your story! -Heather Vazquez

May 14, 2008 I am impressed with you honesty and commitment to staying drug free. I know this is will alwawys remain a struggle in your life, but I applaud you for your strength. PS. We both have the same BD's. -Theresa Pacheco