ENDLESS BLESSINGS

Malcom James celebrates new life with giving back

Talk about changed lives.

Whew, Malcom James is one.

The 31-year-old from Marshall County acknowledges he used to be a selfish, “up to no good,” man. Today, he said, “I no longer want to destroy, but to build up.”

The change happened in 2021, when he went through the three-phase recovery program at Lifeline.

Through more than a decade of addiction, including seven overdoses, and multiple stints in jail, Malcom had always refused rehab. In late 2020, he and his self-described “addiction buddy” Scottie Anderson decided together it was time to give it a try.

“We were both at rock bottom,” he said, “and all we had was each other.” transitional unit, while he worked days for a treecutting service and helped new clients at night as a house monitor and Bible class teacher.

He feels stronger and ready to live on his own for the first time in his life. “I’ve learned to avoid situations that would get me back in trouble again,” he said. As he works toward his goal of getting his own place, he’s committed to continuing to help Lifeline men succeed. “We just know it works,” he said. “You have to get all you can from each phase.”

Meanwhile, with his friend Scottie and himself doing well, the two are committed to paying forward the blessings they have received. “We beat the odds,” Malcom said. “We both made it.”

While they had grown up in Marshall County, they didn’t know each other until after high school when they were in addiction together.

Later, each faced criminal charges and jail sentences. “I had put everyone – my family, my employer – through the wringer. I knew I needed faith-based rehab, so I agreed to go with Scottie to Lifeline.”

Malcom is grateful for the positive influence of Scottie during recovery. “He wouldn’t let me leave. Together, we just gave it our all at Lifeline,” he said. The two even put on a ping pong tournament, raising $5,000 for Toys for Tots, as they celebrated their October 2021 graduation.

Malcom credits Lifeline and God with his sobriety. “You can be sober without Lifeline, but you can’t be sober without Jesus Christ,” he said. “This program introduced me back to Jesus Christ, and the blessings have been endless.”

After graduation, Malcom moved into Lifeline’s