HoustonPBS - Overcoming Addiction

Overcoming Addiction - Derek Steele

Derek Steele is an author and recovering from addiction.

How do you know you are Living Smart?

“I know I’m living smart when I’m looking at all of the areas of my life and focusing on how I can be aware and improve. My physical self, my spiritual self, my emotional self, my financial self, and the relational self, and so trying to balance each of those and to be healthy, which is easier said than done. It’s very easy to get wrapped into work or our financial self, and other parts of us become unhealthy. For me, focusing on all of those areas and trying to maintain each of those to the best of my ability, and it’s never ever perfect.” - Derek Steele

On Living Smart, he will share his story on overcoming addiction.

Biography

When Derek Steele was 8-years-old he took his first sip of alcohol. His parents thought that their margarita induced 8-year-old was funny, and encouraged his behavior. When he was 10, he began to smoke pot. After finding coke in his father’s briefcase, Derek did his first line of coke. By the time Derek was 16 years old, he was dependent on Methamphetamine, and crack cocaine. While other teens were focused on schoolwork and friends, Derek became a high school dropout and a drug dealer. While in hiding from a drug dealer he had swindled, Derek said he had a “moment of clarity.” This moment helped Derek vow to change his life, and with the help of mentors and a 12-step program he overcame his addictions and started a new life.

In 1994, a year after entering rehab, Derek became a partner for Houston’s Roofing Corporation. In 1995, he founded Steele Contracting, a residential construction company serving clientele with storm damaged homes across the U.S. The company had revenue of more than $1 million per year. He later co-founded the web-based software development company Portaris, which had revenue of $5 million within 5 years.

His book Addict at 10 talks about his trials in life, his accomplishments, and how he survived years of addiction and was able to pursue the life he desired to live. He is currently a business coach and speaker, and is also a board member and director of community outreach of Teen and Family Services in Houston. He also volunteers at Covenant House. Derek lives in Missouri City, TX with his wife and their two children.

Quotes

“I’ve asked myself a thousand times, ‘Why me?’ A million guys who were like me are dead or in prison.”
–Derek Steele

“Derek shares a story of hope, adversity and transformation for anyone who struggles with overcoming difficulty. As an inspirational speaker, Derek connects with his audience in a personal and powerful way that everyone can relate to.”
–G. Youngblood, Teen & Family Services

“Derek is a dynamic and inspiring speaker. He has a perfect blend of personal experience and genuine love for helping others. I will be forever touched by his message.”
–S. McClean, Archway Academy

“My moment of clarity came in 1993. For the first time in my life, I saw who I was and knew I had to change my life.”
–Derek Steele

“After recovering from my addictions and finding business success, I had all the material stuff I wanted but I was still miserable. I had a beautiful wife and children but couldn’t enjoy them.”
–Derek Steele

“Addict at 10 is an amazing story of one man’s miraculous journey of transformation. It is a gripping account of how Derek overcame pain, hopelessness and substance abuse to find faith, purpose and fulfillment in life. Derek’s book is a wonderful example of how God leads us to His grace and how, with the right tools, guidance, and dedication, anyone who is willing and open to His will can overcome adversity.”
-Steven K. Scott, New York Times best-selling author of “The Richest Man Who Ever Lived.”