Stephen Hill shared a powerful story Wednesday with seventh-grade students at Welsh-Roanoke Junior High School about his journey from addiction to recovery.

Despite a loving home and supportive parents, Hill’s struggles with self-esteem and academics led him down a destructive path. As a freshman, he fell in with older students who introduced him to drugs and alcohol.

“My first drink and first drug changed my life forever,” Hill admitted.

By his junior year, substance abuse had taken over. Hill lost interest in school, sports, and his well-being.

“I was becoming very angry, having trouble in school, got suspended and kicked off the hockey team,” Hill said. “My parents didn’t know what to do.”

By his early twenties, Hill was grappling with addiction. He abused painkillers, sold drugs, and frequently entered and exited treatment programs. His life was marked by multiple arrests and had seen others die from drug abuse.

“I never thought I would be the guy that people were calling the junkie, the dope fiend, the drug addict, the dropout, the felon,” he said.

Hill’s addiction persisted even after a near-fatal accident.

After more than a decade of addiction and several failed attempts at sobriety, Hill hit rock bottom. Faced with jail or recovery, he entered his final treatment program in 2012 and has been sober ever since.

Now in his 12th year of sobriety, Hill is dedicated to helping others by sharing his personal struggles with addiction and painful path to recovery.

“So much of my life can be summed up into a first choice and second chance,” Hill said. “The choice I made in high school to pick up that first drink, then that first drug which would change my life forever and lead me down that dark path of addiction.”

Finding his way out of addiction gave him a second chance at life and kept him out of prison. He went back to college, became a defense attorney, and is now married with two daughters.

“If my story can help just one person, it is worth it,” Hill said. “There are other ways to have fun without using drugs or alcohol.”“Go out there and take those healthy risks,” he continued. “Just don’t risk your life.”He encouraged students to think about the choices they make and to seek help for themselves and their friends if they are using drugs or other substances.

Hill’s visit to Jeff Davis Parish schools is part of a program sponsored by the school board and district attorney’s office to address mental health and substance use prevention.

“We saw a major impact on our students last year and anticipate the same this year with his return,” District Attorney Lauren Heinen said. “He has an amazing story and even more amazing approach to the crisis faced by many communities throughout the nation.”

School Principal Chris Humble said Hill’s testimony is the best way to connect with the students.

“When someone shares their lived experience, it goes beyond statistics and facts – it becomes a relatable, human story that resonates on a personal level,” Humble said. “This is especially true when discussing vital issues that impact us all, such as mental health, substance use and addiction.”

Hill also spoke to students at Lake Arthur High School and the James Ward Center for Excellence. He will address students at Jennings High School today and Friday and Lacassine High School on Monday.