Bravery comes in all different forms, whether it be fighting in war, saving a child from a raging fire, or signing up for Boys’ State. However, it is an undisputed fact that standing in front of 500 peers and telling your story of overcoming various drug addictions takes immense courage.

That is exactly what Boys’ State citizen Hunter Earl did during a morning assembly. Earl, determined to inspire others facing similar struggles, spoke of his own sobriety from opioids. He then explained his very recent decision to quit marijuana and tobacco at Boys’ State. 

Throughout his speech, Earl selflessly used his own experience to aid others currently overcoming addiction. He emphasizes the importance of not quitting ‘cold turkey’ and, in a later interview, stated that, “the best way to quit is to always find something else to supplement it with.”

A word of advice he offers for anyone struggling with the cycle of quitting is to not leave free time for addiction cravings to set in.

 “Get hobbies, fill your day up, and make sure you have no time to smoke or drink,” Earl said.

Earl emphasized the benefits of quitting an addiction.

“Find something else that makes you happy … because I guarantee completing something, and putting in the effort to complete it will have you feeling better than hitting a vape,” Earl said.

Whether you’re addicted to drugs, your phone, or alcohol, we can all learn from Hunter Earl’s own inspiring experiences and the lessons he’s gained throughout his journey.