True Stories
Phoenix House Graduates
Adonis T.
Former Boxer / Hotel Resort Employee
Kissimmee, Florida
I was born in the Bronx in New York City. My dad worked on Wall Street and ran a gym where he trained and managed professional boxers. My mother was a bi-lingual special-ed teacher.
When I was a kid, I was small for my age, and the bigger kids used to pick on me. My dad told me I had to “get tough” and forced me to fight in the ring as a child and young boy. I hated getting beat up by the big kids. I stored up a reservoir of anger which I nursed for several years — until I started to win fights in the ring.
After graduating high school, I won the New York City Golden Gloves and the Inter-City Golden Gloves in Chicago. Soon after, I joined the US Army to escape from my father’s control, and spent almost eight years in the service. I continued boxing throughout my army career. After I got discharged, I married, had a son and began to climb the ranks of professional boxing. The first time I tried heroin was at a victory party after my first 10-round match at Madison Square Garden. I got sick and swore off the stuff, returning to training and working even harder on my boxing career.
I rose to become the number three featherweight in the world and was training for a title shot, until I got thumbed in the eye and subsequently lost my license. It was then that I picked up a heroin habit which would ultimately cost me my wife and family.
I moved to Florida, hoping that a change of scene would help me kick the habit, but it didn’t work. I got into trouble with the law, and was finally sent to Phoenix House. I worked hard on my anger, resentment, and loss of family issues. I finally saw the light and made a commitment to my recovery and to making amends for mistakes I had made.
I graduated from Phoenix House in 2003. I enrolled in the aftercare program and have held a steady job at a hotel resort ever since. In 2005, I was nominated by my boss for Employee of the Year, and came in second among more than 400 other nominees from around the world. My boss wrote in my application, “Adonis has had to face some personal demons which he has strived to overcome, and has come such a long way personally that I could not be any prouder! This shows his character… Every property should be as lucky as to have a team member with as much energy, spirit and kindness in his heart as Adonis!”
I am currently living with my aunt and uncle, a loving and religious couple who have welcomed me into their home. I have completed all of my probation requirements. Recently, my son moved here from New York and is now living with us. I am working to pay off my financial debts so I can bring my mother to Florida from New York, as I continue to rebuild my family relationships.
I love Phoenix House and I am so very grateful for the help they have given me. I am still thinking about going into counseling myself some day. I celebrated five years clean and sober on March 23, 2006.
In 2005, Adonis was recognized as runner-up for Employee of the Year, and is pictured here wearing the medal he was awarded.