Holmes County Spotlight on Recovery: Dakota Schermer
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Posted by: Staff
Date: Jul 31 2024 10:33 AM
HOLMES COUNTY :A vital component of combating the presence of drugs in our community is understanding that behind every drug arrest is a story - a story of someone who has lost their way and a family that has been torn apart by addiction.
Sheriff John Tate’s focus on assisting those struggling with addiction to find lasting recovery is just one step in healing families and giving those stories a chance to have a happy ending. Arrest itself is not an ending. Instead, it can be a new beginning.
Each month, we share a story from individuals who have successfully completed a drug rehabilitative program through the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office and are now enjoying a new, fulfilled life of recovery.
Their journey. Their words. A message of hope for us all.
The July 2024 Spotlight on Recovery story comes from Dakota Schermer.
My name is Dakota Schermer born August 21,1991(Bartow FL,) I was raised in Holmes County fl, started drinking at the age of 15 years old simply because that’s all there was to do at the time. By the time I turned 17 I was a bad severe alcoholic with severe anger issues alone with suicidal tendencies.
I Had my first son at age 17 I got married to his mother at age 19. Shortly after that I became a junkie and I put her as well as my oldest son through hell.
I Had my second son 4 years later trying to save my marriage which ended with a divorce. Simply because I wouldn’t get help with my addiction and it only got worse.
I abandon my responsibility as a father, as well as a man because I had so much anger,depression,resentment towards the world and everybody including my own children.
On December 20 2022 that all changed when I had my second overdose and a heart attack. But even then I didn’t have the will to live.
Until May 5 2023 when I walked through St. Matthew’s doors and for the first time in my life I felt loved. I felt like I belonged to something good for once and not the streets.
Justin’s place has saved my life and helped me build a relationship with my sons and build a relationship with GOD. It wasn’t easy by far but what I have now was worth it all....
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