3 young Long Islanders share their struggle with addiction, road to recovery

Joey, Sarah and Alexa say they all grew up loving sports and school. However, as they became teenagers, they all got addicted to pills and then progressed to the powder. Sarah says she started shooting

News 12 Staff

Sep 23, 2014, 4:00 PM

Updated 3,509 days ago

Share:

3 young Long Islanders share their struggle with addiction, road to recovery
Joey, Sarah and Alexa say they all grew up loving sports and school. However, as they became teenagers, they all got addicted to pills and then progressed to the powder. Sarah says she started shooting heroin at the age of 17.
"I fell in love with heroin right away. I really did, it was my one true love," says Sarah.
Alexa, who is still in rehab at Seafield in Westhampton Beach, says heroin robbed her of her life. All three agree that they became a slave to the drug and would do anything to get it.
"I would basically rob and steal and lie to get what I needed," says Alexa.
"It dictated everything. Any thought, decision I made was based upon using drugs," says Joey.
Joey says his desperation led to burglary and six years in state prison. He says that is when he hit bottom at the age of 21. Alexa says she sought help after getting arrested for heroin possession. For Sarah, she says her mother told her to go to rehab or get out.
All three reached out for help at Seafield. The rehab center says the number of people under the age of 25 seeking help has doubled in the past five years.


More from News 12
2:19
Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

2:38
Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

Police: Farmingdale woman scammed Texas man out of $9,000 with fake lotto scheme

Police: Farmingdale woman scammed Texas man out of $9,000 with fake lotto scheme

0:19
Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

1:44
The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

2:11
Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!