We sat down with DJ 'Lefty' Hernandez recently to have a very deep and healing conversation about his struggles with substance abuse and his ultimate recovery. He passionately shares his story from a place of vulnerability, fear, and triumph. 'Lefty' shares how, as a child of the sixties, living and growing up in Greenwich Village and how misfortune changed the trajectory of his family's life from the West Village to the Lower Eastside. Facing a new world where he goes from being Puerto Rican American, a minority, living in The Village, with European features. Although he was considered 'a minority' he was able to 'blend in' with other children of European descent. He now has to adapt and change when his family is forced to move into public housing in the Lower Eastside, where his family is now one of many Puerto Rican American families, but 'Lefty' is lost as a pre-teen who learns the mores of the other kids in his new community. He talks about how he picked up bad habits, is introduced to marijuana, booze, and sex at a very young age, and how it takes him off track. Later in the interview, 'Lefty' shares his painful memories of how becoming addicted to cocaine, takes a toll on him and takes him away from his family who loves him, whom he loves, but the influences are so strong he turns his back on his family. We share his story as a way to help others who are currently struggling with their own addictions. 'Lefty' learns how to survive during difficult times, spends a long-time in the darkness, and eventually finds redemption through the light through NA and through his relationship with Christ.

For more information on resources available to individuals struggling with addiction to substances please visit the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

For information on where to find a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting near you, we invite you to visit: https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/