Darrell's Story - San Diego ARC
From addict to Soldier/counselor
Salvation Army ARC Counselor Found Salvation—and a mission
Darrell Williamson is a man on a mission. He knows that the disease of addiction takes lives. And he knows with certainty that The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center saves lives. As lead counselor at the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in San Diego, he is part of a program that takes on some of the most difficult cases of alcoholism and drug addiction in the County. He sees the sick and the desperate come through the doors of the downtown facility seeking relief from lives of misery and despair.
Darrell has a unique understanding of these people, their problems, and knows first-hand what a life saver The Salvation Army ARC can be. He is a graduate of the program himself. Now, the articulate, respected professional reflects on his odyssey from hopeless addict to solid citizen. After 34 years of drinking and drugging, living on the streets and in prison, Darrell, too, had lost everything. His wife and 5 children were long gone from his life, and so were jobs. He was financially and spiritually bankrupt.
Then one January day in 2002 he came into the Adult Rehabilitation Center “to get out of the cold.” Little did he know that it was a move that would transform his life.
There were many poignant and gripping experiences that affected his long journey back. While he was immersed in the faith-based rehab program, participating in work therapy, counseling, attending 12-step meetings, chapel services and Bible study, he recalls vividly a sermon one Sunday that had the most profound impact on him. The parable of the mustard seed and its message of hope spoke to him and he believes the Holy Spirit came into his life that day and changed everything. He surrendered to God and pursued his recovery in earnest.
Since then, Darrell has graduated from the ARC, gone back to school (where he had a straight A record and made the Dean’s List) and has become a certified addiction specialist. That career path brought him back to the ARC last year, where he is lead counselor, intern trainer and re-entry coordinator for the rehab program. He feels that because he is “one of them” he’s particularly suited to this work. Captain Grady Brown, administrator at the San Diego center agrees. “With his professional expertise, and his own inspiring personal saga of salvation, he’s an invaluable addition to our ARC staff.”
That personal story is rife with miseries and miracles. Darrell proclaims he is the “poster child” for before and after drug use. Having endured stabbings, shootings, sickness, jail, homelessness and profound feelings of worthlessness “I was no good to anyone”) his transformation into a healer and helper is all the more amazing. “The Lord came and turned my life around,” he says simply.
His gratitude to The Salvation Army has manifested in a strong need to “give back” and dedicate his life to Christ. Darrel made the decision to become a Salvation Army soldier. He is fulfilling his service commitments at the Kroc Center Corps where he worships, as well as at the San Diego ARC where he works as an addiction counselor. So committed is he to the Army, Darrell has aspirations of becoming an officer and hopes to specialize in ARC work.
“Because of The Salvation Army, and divine intervention, my life was saved," Darrell marvels. He’s convinced of the infinite possibilities of this place. Now his mission is to guide others on the rocky road to recovery that he once traveled.
Story by Marlene Gerber