“It’s so cool to live where the grass truly is greener.”
Jordan Wilson spent years cycling through addiction, treatment, jail, and relapse before finding a path that finally felt different.
For Jordan, the connection between faith and sobriety became central to his recovery. He credits his Christian faith, his family, and a renewed sense of purpose with helping him build a new life.
Today, he is a husband, father, author, public speaker, and the executive director of Friends of Sinners, a Christ-centered substance abuse recovery program in Owensboro, Kentucky.
When and How Did You Get Sober?
I got sober in 2016 after my dad kept inviting me to church.
At the time, I had shown up at my mom’s house strung out and needing somewhere to stay. She agreed to let me detox there until I could find another treatment program.
By then, I had already been through treatment six times, and none of those attempts had lasted.
When I entered my mom’s house, something felt different. It felt warm and safe, although I could not explain why.
My mom told me she had been praying and fasting for me, asking God to set me free from addiction.
That day happened to be Good Friday.
Later, my dad called. He had heard I was staying at my mom’s house and asked if I would go to church with him on Sunday.
At first, I said no. I told him I would probably be too sick.
Then he reminded me that Sunday was Easter.
I still said no.
Finally, he tried one more time.
“Sunday is my birthday. Will you come to church with me for my birthday?”
I agreed.
When I arrived at church, I felt terrible and just wanted to stay out of the way.
Near the end of the service, though, the preacher said something I will never forget.
He told the congregation that anyone living without purpose could come to the altar, give their life to Christ, and begin living with purpose.
For me, it felt as though a light had appeared in a very dark place.
I remember thinking, “Could this be it? Could this be what finally helps me get clean and sober?”
So I went to the altar and gave my life to Jesus Christ.
I believed something changed in me that day.
March 27, 2016 became my sobriety date, and I have stayed sober since then.
What Was the Turning Point in Your Decision to Get Sober?
I had tried to get sober many times before.
One major turning point came after police raided my home and arrested me for trafficking.
I had to serve time, and I tried getting sober in jail. That was one of the first times I seriously attempted to stop.
But it did not last.
I still felt trapped by drugs and alcohol.
What eventually changed for me was the idea that my life could have a purpose.
Up to that point, I had tried to find meaning in money, possessions, and relationships, but none of it felt satisfying.
Drugs temporarily made me feel better, but eventually they took almost everything from me.
When I embraced my faith, I felt that my life finally had a purpose bigger than myself.
For me, that became the turning point.
What Surprised You Most About Getting Sober?
I was surprised by how good my life became.
Today, I actually like who I am.
I also found my people.
Some of my closest friends are people I met in rehab, and we are still like brothers.
One of my best friends even married my wife’s sister, so now he is also my brother-in-law.
I have a wonderful wife, beautiful children, a career I love, and a life that feels meaningful.
Years ago, I never imagined this kind of life would be possible for me.
What Has Been the Biggest Challenge in Sobriety?
One of the hardest things for me was realizing that the rest of the world still drinks even though I do not.
It can be difficult when people choose to drink around me, especially when they know how seriously I take my recovery.
Over time, I learned that I sometimes had to stop attending functions where alcohol would be present.
At first, I expected more people to avoid drinking around me out of respect.
Eventually, though, I understood that I can only control my own actions.
I cannot control anyone else’s choices.
What Are the Biggest Gifts of Sobriety?
One of the greatest gifts is being able to share my story with other people.
I hope that telling the truth about where I came from gives someone else hope.
People have told me that my story has had a positive impact on their lives, and that means a great deal to me.
Today, I also get to help other people pursue sobriety.
I have the honor of leading a recovery program and supporting people who are trying to build a different life.
It is hard to describe how meaningful that feels.
As I often say, it is so cool to live where the grass truly is greener.
What Advice Would You Give Someone Considering Sobriety?
My first piece of advice is simple: keep going.
In my experience, life kept getting better as I stayed sober.
I also believe your story matters.
Someone else may need to hear what you have been through. Your story could become part of their survival guide.
Faith was also central to my own recovery.
I tried many different ways to get clean and sober before I became a Christian.
For me, following Jesus was the turning point that changed everything.
That is my personal experience, and I encourage people to seek the kind of support, community, and path to recovery that helps them keep moving forward.
About Jordan Wilson
Jordan Wilson is a Christian, husband, father, author, and public speaker with ten years of sobriety.
He is the executive director of Friends of Sinners, a Christ-centered substance abuse recovery program in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Jordan also travels in the United States and abroad to share his experience of addiction, recovery, and faith.
What Helped You Find Your Path to Sobriety?
Recovery looks different for everyone.
For Jordan, faith became the foundation of his sobriety. Other people may find support through treatment, peer groups, therapy, family, community, or a combination of approaches.
What helped you begin changing your relationship with alcohol or drugs?
Share your experience in the comments. Your story may help someone else feel less alone.
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We welcome and celebrate all paths to getting and staying alcohol-free.