Recovery through action
Didier refocused his addiction to living
Story by Brenda Poe
The holiday season is a time of reflecting and being thankful for life ’ s blessings . This year , Brad Didier focused on his life ’ s path and recovery .
It was Dec . 8 , 2003 , Didier was a walking disaster , strung out on drugs and alcohol . He was broke , homeless and had no money to his name in Baton Rouge , Louisiana .
“ That day , I surrendered . I didn ’ t know to who or what I was surrendering to . I had tried many times before and never succeeded ,” Didier said . “ I got myself to work that day as a construction worker . My boss gave me some true , tough love .”
Feeling completely defeated , 30 years old , living out of a duffle bag , and sleeping on his mom ’ s couch , Didier had to have a very hard conversation with his mom .
“ I had to be man enough to tell my mom , but I couldn ’ t go to her house ,” Didier said “ If I went there , I would want just one more hit . Then my soul spoke .”
This was when he broke down crying and asked his boss to use his cell phone . Remember , this was 2003 . His bosses cell phone was a bag phone .
“ I called my mom . I was scared to death . But I was 100 percent
16 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | NOVEMBER 2022