03 Apr, 2025
9 mins read

Share the Spirit: Beating addiction and finding purpose in life

Life has always been challenging for Christopher Stockton. Born into a family where substance abuse and financial hardships were constant challenges, his early years were marred by instability. His family in Phoenix, Arizona, constantly moved and relied on churches and food banks for meals, but the nomadic lifestyle made it difficult for Stockton to find stability, friends, or even a consistent school life.

At the age of 11, Stockton’s father, who struggled with substance abuse and wanted to get out of a life of crime, decided to change his ways and moved the family to Lakehead in Shasta County. His parents, both recovering from their addiction, worked hard to turn their lives around, promising Stockton and his younger sister to build a better life.