Giving an individual another chance and showing that it is possible to overcome problems, no matter how small or large – that really resonates with me.

Jarrah's story underscores a powerful truth: providing a stable home can be the first step towards reclaiming a life once thought lost.

“Before I went to Teen Challenge, my life was a catastrophe. I had been using substances to cope for 20 years. My life was one of drugs, death, and destruction. Every day was the same; I would wake in the morning without joy and without purpose. Growing up I felt like I had a good upbringing and everything I needed. However, when I was 10 my parents separated, and my family broke down. My parents did their best, but for me this was a tough time in my life."

I was really thankful when I went to prison, because I knew without prison nothing would stop me. I wasn’t happy to be there of course!

After the birth of one of my children I had post-natal depression I started drinking as a way to cope with my pain and the demands of life.

*Nick came from a loving family, growing up near the coast with plenty of swimming and fishing, but school was rough on Nick and severe bullying resulted in anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-confidence and social issues. Nick started reaching for substances to ease his pain.

Drug dealing and stealing to support my addictions. Fighting constantly to prove myself. My mates committing suicide. Deaths from overdoses and accidents. Using drugs to numb my life.
That was all I knew.

With the help of our generous supporters, we have seen thousands of comeback stories written. We are determined to eradicate the cycle of addiction and create a generation of overcomers. Here are just a few of the inspiring stories of transformation we’ve witnessed of young people who have recovered from addictions, and also from family members who have been with their loved ones on their journey.

Chloe was on a dark path, feeling hopelessly lost and turning to drugs to escape. See what happened when she came to Teen Challenge QLD, where she “had a change of heart.”

“I came to Teen Challenge very lost. But through the program I learnt to trust myself again and I gained back the trust of those around me”.

At the age of 12 I had my first cigarette and my first taste of drugs; marijuana. I started drinking alcohol, and that was my journey for the next seven years. It escalated at times into crime. I spent time in court and in the watch house.

I’m not sure where I’d be today without the help of Teen Challenge. At Teen Challenge love is demonstrated in action. Vulnerability is lived and breathed. Stigma is demolished.

"I found a brotherhood here. For the first time in my life, I felt like all my troubles were lifting. I felt a peace in my heart that I'd never felt before. I was loved and accepted. My life changed from the inside out."

"I was born in a little country town. My mum and dad lost a baby after my birth and separated soon after. I remember my mum dropping me off at my Nan and Pop’s and then she just didn't come back. I was only two. I always felt like I was an inconvenience."

Andrew grew up in a stable family. As a boy he dreamt of joining the Air Force so that he could be become an aeronautics expert. He was a sporty kid and very bright. But he had ADHD and when he was at school this condition wasn’t consistently recognised.

Matt didn’t realise it then, but the grief of losing his father had left a deep wound, and trouble came to find him.
By 19, addiction was creating havoc in his life.

I got involved in drugs and alcohol as a teenager and my life was soon being controlled by my addictions. Things had got really bad for me and I was working but homeless. "I called my Dad and he said, "Son do you want to change your life? Only you can do it". He found out about New Hope House and I said I would give it a go. I was out of options.

I grew up in regional QLD and came from a strong family with good values, and faith was a big part of my family's life. When I was 10, we moved house, so I had to move schools, and I found this difficult.

I began smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol at 15 years old. I also developed an addiction to Valium. I came into the program in my early 20’s; I was so tired of life, I was in strife with the law and wanted a different life.

"When I first came to Teen Challenge, I only weighed over 42kg; I was sick. I was at death's door, and I had to be hospitalised. My life was hanging in the balance. It was the worst experience of my life."

"Being in the program is hard, but it’s been worth it. I felt so much shame and over time I realized just what I had lost and the cost to my family."

"Before New Hope House I was a like a lost vessel in the middle of the big blue ocean, with a broken compass, no guidance and a weak spirit, I kept running into sin."

"I came from an ordinary home in many ways. My parents loved me, but there were problems in the marriage, and they broke up when I was young. I lived in a regional town in Australia that didn’t have a lot going for it. Many of my friend’s parents drank in excess and took drugs.
I began experimenting with other substances. I felt more confident when I took drugs and there were a lot of parties to go to. Before too long I was introduced to heroin."

“I grew up in a regular family, but at 10, I developed an eating disorder, I started binge drinking at 15 and took drugs for the first time at Schoolies. I went to the New Life Centre (NLC) after I had become a mother. I didn’t want to be there but was facing criminal charges, and I thought rehab would look good in court. I now am so glad I did the whole year of rehab. I rebuilt my life on a firm foundation and now have a hope for my future."

"Before coming to New Hope House I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life. I have reconnected with God and found myself."

"When I first came to New Hope House (NHH), I was in a very dark place. I’m now in a better place with hope for the future."

"I was 18 and in the grip of heroin addiction when I first came across Teen Challenge. I had been battling an escalating drug addiction for 3 years. I didn’t want to go to rehab but my time in Teen Challenge changed and saved my life."

"I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t here. If I wasn’t here I’m afraid to say that I’d probably be either in jail or dead. But the blessing is this place is here and it’s because of the people that volunteer or help fund this place that it’s still able to run, that it’s still able to be that light on a hill for people that are so desperate for hope."

"I got to a turning point in my life when I was sleeping on a concrete floor at the back of an abandoned house and I thought I’m sick of doing this and so I thought I might give Teen Challenge a go. Since coming here Teen Challenge has done heaps for me, they’ve helped me so much. They’ve helped me to work on myself, the case workers have been great, they’ve given me a lot of time and put a lot of effort into my recovery."

”I lost 16 years to addiction and I came to Teen Challenge QLD broken. Because of my time in Teen Challenge QLD I am now whole. I have found peace."