Who is Christopher Ferry?

My story: from Addiction to Recovery

I was born in Somers Point, New Jersey, on January 29th, 1989, and grew up in Ventnor City, New Jersey. I was fortunate to have loving and caring parents who struggled financially when I was young. They were both in the process of opening businesses, so we experienced a range of economic statuses—from poor to middle class and eventually upper middle class as their businesses thrived. Despite their financial challenges, my parents were compassionate and supportive. They spent every dollar to ensure my brother, Michael, and I could attend private school and play sports. I remember my father taking us to ShopRite to buy dinner for the week with only $7.00 in his pocket and my mother and father sharing a car with zipper doors. Sometimes, my mom even had to walk to work. None of this stopped them from providing for my brother and I. Our family values revolved around love, compassion, kindness, trust, and family loyalty.

My childhood was filled with wonderful memories with my mother, father, and grandmothers. My brother and I were athletic and active, participating in football, ice hockey, baseball, squash, and golf. My parents were my mentors. I admired their work ethic and the lengths they went to ensure we had the best of everything despite our financial struggles.

My Athletic Achievements

Hockey was my identity and boosted my self-esteem because it showed me the rewards of hard work and persistence.

I played several sports, including ice hockey, football, baseball, golf, squash, and tennis. However, ice hockey was my passion and my father's favorite sport, further fueling my dedication. I practiced relentlessly, often skating 4-5 times weekly and shooting pucks in the backyard. My hard work paid off as I played for the Flyers Youth and the East Coast Selects, achieving significant milestones such as making the New Jersey Select 15 team, trying out for Team USA, and playing for the Junior Flyers Midget Major AAA team. My senior year at St. Augustine Prep, we went undefeated and won the state championship. Hockey was my identity and boosted my self-esteem because it showed me the rewards of hard work and persistence. However, losing hockey led to a loss of identity, which contributed to my descent into addiction.

How I Got Addicted to Drugs

Addiction severely damaged my relationships with family and friends. My family couldn't trust me, and I lied and stole from them.

I was first introduced to drugs and alcohol at parties but initially avoided them due to my commitment to ice hockey. However, everything changed during my junior year of high school at St. Augustine Prep. After defending a teammate during a captain’s skate, I got into a fight, was suspended from school, and was not allowed to play ice hockey for the remainder of my junior year. At the end of my junior year, I faced the choice of expulsion or leaving on my own; I felt abandoned and misunderstood. I transferred to Atlantic City High School for the first semester of my senior year, where I tried drugs for the first time.

My substance use began with Percocet and escalated quickly. What started as occasional use at parties turned into a daily habit, progressing to more potent substances like heroin and crack cocaine. My addiction took over my life; I began couch surfing at friends' houses and, at my lowest point, slept under the boardwalk in Ventnor City, NJ.

Addiction shattered my relationships with family and friends. My family couldn’t trust me, and it also ended my hockey career, as I quit playing and spiraled out of control. I couldn’t hold a job and eventually dropped out of college, losing sight of everything I once valued.

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How I Got Sober and
Changed My Life

The turning point came when I was arrested for DUI and violated my pretrial intervention with a possession charge. My parents completely disowned me, which, combined with my arrests, made me realize I needed help.

At 19, my parents forced me to go to rehab in Florida. I relapsed five times before my sixth rehab stay, where I decided to stay for 90 days. Between 60-90 days, something clicked, and I realized the extent of the damage I had caused. I knew I was done with drugs and needed time and space to think clearly. I learned that recovery could take up to two years for the brain to start functioning correctly again.

My recovery was supported by friends with several years of sobriety who accepted me into their lives and showed me how to live sober. Working in addiction recovery also motivated me to stay sober, as I knew I'd lose my career if I relapsed.

Since achieving sobriety, my life has transformed. My relationships with family and friends are strong, and I am a father of four and a husband. I own Boca Recovery Center, a nationwide drug and alcohol medical detox and inpatient rehab, and live a life beyond my wildest dreams. My greatest accomplishments are being a father, husband, and helping others achieve sobriety.

To those struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Speak up, reach out for help, and take one step at a time. Focus on today and do the next right thing. Sobriety is achievable, and the rewards are beyond anything you can imagine.

Current Life and
Inspirational Moments

My story inspires hope and demonstrates that sobriety is possible with the right help and determination.

I live a fulfilling life with my wife and four beautiful children. I am passionate about working out, spending time with my family, and helping others in addiction recovery.

A pivotal moment in my recovery was during a group therapy session in rehab when my best friend, Joe Toland, said he could see us working together in a year. It was the first time someone believed in me before I fully believed in myself.

“ help people struggling with addiction through Boca Recovery Center, where we offer a scholarship bed at each location once a month. Additionally, we assist individuals in finding alternative facilities if they don't meet medical or clinical criteria or if geographical restrictions apply. I also founded Clean and Sober, an online addiction recovery support group. Giving back is a core part of my life, and I am dedicated to helping others achieve the same transformation I did.”

My personal before & after.

From dark place, to a clear place.

As you can see, I’ve been through it. And I know I can help YOU through it. I’ve been in a very dark place, battling things you or a loved one is currently going through. My mission, now that I am in a clear place, is to help those in similar positions I once was in. Even if that means my facilities, programs, etc. cannot help you, I WILL point you (or a loved on) in the right direction one way or another. End of the day, I’m here to help people.

Join our Facebook Group - a recovery community helping thousands of people!

You may not be ready for a full rehab experience, and that’s OKAY! In the meantime, I’ve started a private Facebook Group called the “Clean and Sober” where we have helped 50,000+ people with all types of addictions, support, and so much.

Join 77,000+ people changing their lives, one day at a time.

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