LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Inside Sanctuary Church, DeWayne Mitchell spends his Saturdays now playing sports.

Community has become more vital to the 29-year-old as the country returns to life before the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s why the nonprofit Young People in Recovery aims to host events during the winter months to evade isolation.

“I feel like it was just partying at first, just fitting in, doing what everybody else was doing,” Mitchell said of his addiction.

At age 16, he had a different definition of fun.

“It was alcohol, a lot of different substances, anything that will make change the way I felt,” Mitchell said.

His dependency on substances quickly escalated.

“And then it became a need, you know. I had to fulfill [my addiction] to feel alright. Became, you know, more than just fun. For me it became kind of a lifestyle,” Mitchell said.

In June 2020, he changed his lifestyle, seeking treatment to live a sober life.

“Motivation was my son. He’s seven. He’s a big part of my life. You know, being a dad to him, it’s changed everything. I couldn’t just get sober for him, you know, I had to want it for myself,” Mitchell said.

He’s now a team member lead with Young People in Recovery, hoping to connect others on a path of sobriety.

“I never thought—I thought once the drugs and alcohol stopped, that the fun’s gonna stop as well. But YPR showed me that it’s possible to have fun in recovery and I see other young faces, you know, families, kids here, having fun as well. And that’s what it’s all about,” Mitchell said.

There are 11 locations in Kentucky hosting recovery meetings and activities for Young People in Recovery.