Markel Joseph’s life began with boundless energy, laughter, and an infectious love for people and dancing. Growing up, he was known for his lively spirit, and people gravitated toward him because of his upbeat personality. But over time, that vibrant energy faded into darkness as addiction took hold. The change was gradual yet consuming. He began feeling purposeless, disconnected from those he loved, and lost within himself. Markel began a downward spiral, and soon all that seemed to matter was the next high.
“I felt like I was a human trash can,” he recalls, “just consuming any darkness around me.” Markel became a shadow of the joyful person he once was, alienating the people who cared most about him.
The spiral continued until he hit rock bottom. The darkness of active addiction alienated him from family and friends. Markel moved to Raleigh for a fresh start, but the hope of a new beginning dimmed as he sank deeper into addiction, battling what he describes as “psychosis of the mind.” Alone in a city where he barely knew anyone, Markel drifted further from his former self. But one friend noticed his struggle and saw something in him that he could no longer see in himself. She urged him to get help. “I didn’t have anything left to give,” he says, remembering that time. His friend researched treatment options and found Healing Transitions.
Markel was overwhelmed with an unexpected relief and comfort as he took his first steps into Healing Transitions. “I was happy to be here,” he remembers. For Markel, coming to Healing Transitions felt like stepping out from under a massive weight he hadn’t realized he was carrying. He remembers Justin Garrity, HT staff, greeting him kindly with a bottle of water, and he knew in that moment that Healing Transitions would soon feel like home. 
Markel began to discover a true sense of community and connection he had lost during his years of addiction. Staff members like William Dickens became mentors, offering guidance and support. Chef Kathy, a friend in the kitchen, encouraged him to envision a brighter future and rediscover his worth. Raeford from the shelter was always ready to lift him up during his darker days. Through these relationships, Markel’s hope was rekindled. “They were a newfound brotherhood… they’re the backbone of my recovery,” Markel reflects.
For the first time in years, he was surrounded by people who understood him, shared his struggles, and supported his journey. They encouraged him to keep peeling back the layers, to see beyond the surface. “Look at yourself as an onion,” he advises others now. “There is more to you than what meets the eye.”
Over time, Markel developed the skills and resilience he needed to stay sober and began a career at the very place that saved his life. Today, he is the administrative office manager at Healing Transitions, a role that allows him to give back to the community that lifted him out of active addiction. Every day, he is a source of support for others starting their own journeys toward recovery.
He’s found peace, a rare treasure after years of turmoil, and enjoys the simple pleasures of life now—traveling, spending time outside, nurturing a career, and being the best version of himself. For Markel, recovery isn’t just about being sober; it’s about living with purpose and peace. He dreams of continuing his journey of self-discovery and hopes to be ‘a beacon of light for someone out there,’ showing others that, no matter how dark the path may seem, recovery is possible. His message to those considering help is simple yet profound: “Don’t give up on yourself, because you are worth recovery.”
Markel’s journey is a testament to resilience, the power of community, and the hope that lies beyond addiction. Where he once saw only darkness, he now sees peace, joy, and a future filled with purpose.