The Morton Center in Louisville supports families affected by addiction

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Some addictions can be a family affair.

The Morton Center not only treats the person with the addiction but also family members who want to break the cycle that don't know how.

For years, Brandon French used illegal drugs to feel better. He said he started using substances at 11 years old.

"I went from cannabis to I was doing hallucinogens to stimulants," French said. "Then I finally got on to methamphetamines."

Brandon French.jpeg — Brandon French. (WDRB photo)

He even created the alter ego, "Spacey."

"I didn't like myself at the time, so I wanted to create a whole kind of different version of myself that I could love," French said. "And so invented Spacey."

But several months ago, he hit rock bottom and neither Spacey nor the drugs could help.

"That's when I finally decided," French said. "I watched it destroy my whole family on my dad's side and it actually killed my father."

French ended up in a halfway house that eventually connected him with the Morton Center.

"I haven't had a chance to get to have therapy before in my life, so coming to the Morton Center, and I really got to get tap into that resource, and it has helped me along on my journey and ways to encounter with my family," French said.

Priscilla McIntosh is CEO of the Morton Center and said they were able to help French and other families because of scholarships and donations.

"We weren't concerned about the barriers with the financial, we were able to say, 'yes, come on into the Morton Center, we can help you,'" McIntosh said.

Next Tuesday, the organization will host its annual Heroes for Hope Fundraising Luncheon.

"So we're celebrating 40 years in the community and being able to help over 50,000 individuals during our time," McIntosh said.

French is celebrating his six month mark with the Morton Center and believes the organization helped break the deadly cycle of addiction.

"I never thought I was gonna ever be sober in my life and this year has been a while to ride," French said.

To learn more about the Morton Center and the services it provides, click here.

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The Morton Center in Louisville supports families affected by addiction