FIU Graduate Masters His Addiction

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – For many people, an addiction can be crippling but one South Florida man used his education to master his addiction.

Aaron Alvin knows exactly what life is like- being homeless and living in the streets, but  Tuesday night, he will know what it is to become a college graduate.

After a decade of marked with booze, drugs and violence, Alvin will receive his master's degree in social work from Florida International University with a 3.73 grade point average.

His inspiration story has also earned  him a spot as one of the 13 FIU winter graduates honored as Worlds Ahead scholars- an award given to students with remarkable personal histories.

"I never thought I would be in college at the age of fifty," said Alvin. "It is pretty overwhelming."

Alvin's path was not always paved with a promising direction.

Since his graduation from Miami Senior High in 1979, Alvin went into a downward spiral which included being discharged from the Army for alcohol abuse, a drug addiction which left him on the streets, and two failed marriages.

"I was addicted to crack cocaine, cocaine, marijuana, alcohol," said Alvin. "Whatever, anything someone came over here and said this might make you feel better."

After a failed attempt at cutting his addiction, a depressive Alvin found his salvation in the New Jerusalem Baptist Church which got him off the streets and into rehab.

"They have been instrumental at keeping me back," said Alvin.

To Alvin and his third wife, this diploma not only signifies a success in school but a defeated addiction.

"Coming from where we came from, it is a miracle," said Alvin's wife, Gwendolyn.

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