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Meet Collin Cooper
Program Staff
Collin's remarkable journey began in Orem, Utah, where he enjoyed a fortunate upbringing within a close-knit family. Raised by loving parents who continue to share a strong bond, Collin was a fun, active kid who loved baseball, basketball, the Yankees, and Michael Jordan. Throughout his high school years, he remained well-behaved, consciously rejecting invitations to partake in drugs.
Life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs, as it did a few years later as Collin entered adulthood. A sports injury prompted him to seek medical treatment, resulting in the prescription of muscle relaxers and opioids. This ongoing medication eventually led him down a destructive path. Succumbing to the allure of selling his prescribed drugs and seeking stronger substances, Collin soon found himself entangled in the grip of heroin and crack cocaine.
Over the course of two decades, Collin's life became consumed by substance abuse, leading to repeated stints in jail and rehab. Despite attending numerous short-term rehab programs, none proved effective in breaking his cycle of addiction. At the age of 38, Collin reached a point of utter despair. With depleted finances and nothing to show for his life, he finally reached out to his mother and asked for help.
Thus Collin began the process of recovering from the profound physical and emotional toll inflicted by years of drug abuse, beginning with a month-long hospital stay. Upon his release, he arrived, humbled, at The Other Side Academy and sat on the worn bench of redemption. Acceptance into the program marked the beginning of his long journey towards personal growth and transformation. Within the Academy's supportive environment, Collin gradually realized the profound impact his actions had on others. He learned to find self-acceptance and discovered that true validation comes from within, rather than relying on external sources. Step by step, Collin found solace in the abundance of love, community, and unwavering support that surrounded him.
Having rebuilt his life from the ground up, Collin felt compelled to stay and contribute to The Other Side Academy's mission. In 2022, he was hired as a full time staff member. He works in the Legal Department, dedicating his efforts to empowering others to reclaim their lives, just as he once did.
Collin's story stands as a testament to the power of second chances. Through his ongoing commitment to personal growth and unwavering determination to help others, Collin has emerged as a beacon of hope, exemplifying the life-changing possibilities that lie beyond the grip of addiction.