Former drug addict to share experiences

The Office of Health Education and Promotion at Georgia Southern University will present "Confessions of a Former Drug Addict…Real Talk" 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, in the Performing Arts Center (PAC.)

On the outside, it appeared that B.J. Elliott had everything going for him. He was graduating from college, and he had received an award from the National Restaurant Association. However, on the inside, Elliott was constantly fearful of rejection and unable to love himself.

Feeling unsuccessful at matching the outside with what was going on inside, Elliott turned to drugs and alcohol to survive, and he quickly lost everything to addiction. After witnessing drug deals gone bad, chemical explosions from the manufacturing of drugs and the pain he was causing his family, he was still unable to stop the cycle. After hitting bottom, he finally recognized his problem and went into detox.

Now, almost two years clean from all drugs and alcohol, Elliott is using his pain to give hope to others. He currently lives with brain damage, tremors and permanent health problems as a result of his years of drug use.