Sacramento County Government: Carlos Simpson Finds His True Path

Press release from the Sacramento County Government:

September 30, 2021

Sept. 30 is National Recovery Day, a time to celebrate the millions of people with drug and alcohol addiction who have achieved sobriety and live happy, productive lives… people like Sacramento resident Carlos Simpson.

Carlos Simpson has struggled with drug addiction since he was born. His first 14 days of life were spent in a hospital detoxing from heroin. Throughout his childhood, he witnessed his parents’ involvement in prostitution, drug abuse, domestic violence and the revolving door of the penitentiary system.

With help from his great-grandmother, Simpson was able to attend good schools, eventually receiving a full-ride football scholarship to Sonoma State. But his past caught up with him. He began using and selling methamphetamine and ended up in prison. After his release, he made failed attempts to attend other colleges. Soon he had a family to support. He relapsed and ended up back in prison. His turning point came behind bars. During a jail visit, he saw the disappointment in his son’s eyes. “At that point, I knew I had hit rock bottom, and enough was enough,” Simpson recalls. “I had to make a change.” Simpson was facing 8-10 years of prison time when he was given the opportunity to participate in Re-Entry Court, Sacramento County’s multi-department effort to help prisoners at risk of re-offending. It was there that he was offered residential treatment from the Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Services program of Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services. Today, Simpson is a transformed man. He works as a Life Coach in the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC). He is a proud father and grandfather, serving as a football and baseball coach and volunteering throughout in his community in south Sacramento. As a teacher, counselor and mentor, Carlos says his life now is about giving back. “My experiences, treatment and studies led me to believe that substance abuse is not only a disease but a mental health disorder at its highest level,” he says. “I want to provide people hope for the future… Something I did not have when growing up.”

Do you or a loved one need help with substance abuse? Please call (916) 874-9754 or check out this list of providers.

This press release was produced by the Sacramento County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.