Taking the SPLASH - Former Semi-Professional Soccer Player, Joshua Pike
On October 14th, 1988, Joshua David Pike was born into a loving family of 5. He was the baby and the firstborn son. He had a normal childhood growing up with lots of family support, sports and friends. He learned to play soccer at a young age and fell in love with the sport. Upon graduating from High School, Josh was accepted into the Naval Academy and served active duty from 2006 – 2009. While there, he played Division 1 soccer for the Naval Academy.
Josh was honorably discharged from the military in 2009, and was recruited to play semi-professional soccer for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the United Soccer League. After a very short season in 2010, addiction took over and Josh was released from the team. Like so many young people, Josh’s addiction to pain pills began when his wisdom teeth were extracted, and without warning he was prescribed opioid medication for the pain. He fought the addiction over the years, but by this time, he was too deep in his addiction to move forward without help.
After three Intensive Outpatient programs, four half-way houses and jail for 18 months, Josh opted to become a part of the Veteran’s Accountability Court in Cobb County. He has been working on completion of the program since 2016 and is employed at THE ZONE, Cobb County’s first and only Recovery Support Organization.
Josh began his post-secondary education at the Naval Academy and then picked up a few classes at the University of Maryland. He hopes to continue his pursuit of a Physics degree this Fall at Kennesaw State University and become a High School Physics teacher and also coach soccer.
Josh is a person in Long-Term Recovery working a successful program of sobriety one day at a time. He found his sober network at THE ZONE in Marietta and works to maintain his recovery there on a daily basis by attending meetings, taking advantage of the recovery coaching and running the Re-Zoned Thrift Store. He is a vital part of the community and gives back on a daily basis to help others find the freedom in recovery that he has worked so hard to achieve.
64,000 people died last year in the United States due to drug overdose. By the grace of God, Josh was not one of those individuals. He has a purpose to live a sober life and to contribute back to the community in which he lives. We are proud of Josh and his accomplishments and will stand by him and support him throughout his journey of sobriety.
P.S. Be sure to come and cheer for the Davis Direction Foundation's Joshua David Pike as he takes the PLUNGE!! Tickets are $20 in advance. Tickets includes entrance to event, two drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants on Restaurant Row, live music by Attractive Nuisance and entry for giveaways!