Overcoming by Choice

Throughout my life—since I was old enough to listen and process words—family members, influencers, and church folk have told me that whenever I find myself struggling or battling something, ‘‘give it to God.’’

What they never told me was how that is much easier said than done. I learned it for myself, the hard way, at the age of 16, with one seemingly innocent decision. I went to a pool party and hit a vape for the first time. Little did I know that it would jumpstart a struggle I never wanted for myself.

After going home that night, I woke up the next day and found myself wanting a vape of my own. But since I was only 16, I couldn’t purchase one myself, so I asked my cousin to buy it for me in exchange for babysitting her daughter. So that summer, instead of paying me for sitting, she got me a vape. At the time, I didn’t look at it as an addiction. I was just having fun and doing something I liked.

A year later, I was able to buy vapes myself. By the age of 18, I started noticing that I was usually able to keep a vape for a week straight without it going out. But as time went by, I started going through them faster, buying a new one every three days. When I purchased one, I also noticed a word on the label that should’ve been my clue: “addictive.” It stuck out. Having seen my mom battle addiction to alcohol in the past, the word hit me.

But it didn’t stop me. It took a near-death scare and a trip to the ER to do that. One night, towards the end of September 2021, I hit my vape and instantly started shaking. Uncontrollably. My heart started to race. That night changed my life. At the hospital, my mom didn’t know why this happened to me because I wasn’t honest.

The doctors asked me if lung cancer or heart disease ran in my family. Those questions alone gave me my confirmation: I was addicted. Deep down throughout those years, I knew I had an addiction, but I was in denial. I wanted to believe I was in control. I wasn’t able to limit how much I’d vape or minimize it. That night was my wake-up call.

Now, did I give it straight up? Absolutely not. As I said, it was a struggle. One night, I was suffering from nicotine withdrawal. I had chills, I kept shaking, and I couldn’t focus. It was the third night in a row that I was experiencing this, and it was draining me more and more each night. It drained me so bad I ran to the Bible we had on the mantle and started reading where it was open, asking God to take it away. It didn’t happen overnight, but giving my addiction to God did help me, and it’s still helping me. I know that what happened to me at 16—letting people influence me, leading to addiction—was a choice.

I’m glad I got a chance to make a better one. September 26, 2021 was the last time I vaped. Addiction is a battle that takes strength. Making that good decision has led me closer to God. I’m not writing this to say I’m perfect. I’m not. I'm still young, meaning that I’m a work in progress. More tests will come, but when they do, I now know that I can overcome. It’s my choice!

About Thrive Detroit’s Tapestry Project

Thrive Detroit is proud to launch The Tapestry Project, a space where storytelling becomes a source of healing, strength, and connection. Through guided writing sessions, participants will explore their own narratives with the support of a professional writing coach and a trusted group. This project is about more than writing—it's about honoring our stories, embracing the power of perspective, and weaving together a collective tapestry of resilience and hope.