This narrative describes my experience with substance use disorder. It includes a trip through the criminal legal system, recovery, higher education, and a career in research. I convey key points from a history of using substances and committing crimes and how these created barriers to collegiate and professional aspirations, despite long-term recovery. The substance use services research field has come to value lived experience such as mine, lowering barriers for people with substance use and criminal histories. I hope that my work, built upon this experience, not only helps improve services, but also clears the way for more people in recovery to pursue a career in research.