FAITH NEWS SERVICE – When Johnny Ray Jr. became a drug addict at sixteen, he didn’t know that it would be twenty years before he would hit bottom and be free of his addiction. He says, “I was the guy who slept under bridges, ate out of dumpsters, and lived out of cars. During the worst of it, I witnessed my friends die right in front of me.
Everything I suffered was a constant part of my active use, a never-ending cycle of homelessness and agony. In the end, my addiction took me to a campsite surrounded by garbage. I was starving with no money, all bridges burned, and ready to die. I had hit rock bottom.”
Ray tells the story of his own recovery after giving everything over to God and shares a recovery road map for others in 5R Recovery: Works in Progress, Vol. 1 (Redemption Press). He says, “My story is a testament to what hard work in your recovery and turning your life over to God can be.”
Now he helps others work through their recovery to build or rebuild a life with God at the helm through the 5R Recovery program, which he founded in 2020. Ray defines the five Rs of the program by saying, “When you begin with REMEMBER, choose to RECOVER, and learn to REJOICE, you become REBORN and start to RE-LIVE.”
Ray, who is now a life coach, recovery coach, and peer counselor, says recovery is about more than just recovery from drugs. 5R Recovery is for anyone trapped in reoccurring cycles or who puts anything ahead of God. 5R Recovery: Works in Progress helps people work through the issues in their lives and deals with topics such as connections, morals, community, and values.
The workbook helps others find purpose and a future by following its road map. Built around the book of James, it is more than just Johnny’s story of recovery, but offers help, hope, and support through a daily devotional with Scripture and journal space.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Johnny Ray Jr. is a life coach, recovery coach, and peer counselor with certifications in related fields. Born in 1983 in Arlington, Washington, he became a drug addict at age sixteen and barely graduated high school. For twenty years he was a methamphetamine addict before getting clean on August 14, 2018. He created the 5R Recovery program in late 2020. A resident of Everett, Washington, he loves his family and enjoys sports and comics.
For interviews, contact Johnnyray@5Rrecovery.org.
Website: www.5rrecovery.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5rrecovery?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram: https:www.instagram.com/5r.recovery?igsh=endsM29tcmdzZnRy&utm_source=qr
Suggested Interview Questions
- You became a meth addict at age sixteen. What advice would you give parents about talking to their teens who are exposed to the temptation to use?
- At your lowest moment, you heard God speak to you, asking you if you were done. Tell us about that day. What was your next step?
- 5R Recovery is built around five “r” words. Can you tell us what they are and what they stand for?
- How have you tested this program? Is it designed to be used in a group or just for individual use?
- You say recovery is about “so much more than getting clean.” How would this program be helpful for those who are not addicted to drugs?
- You also say, “Real, raw recovery is hard work.” Tell us what is involved in the hard work part.
- What do you hope this workbook will do in lives?
