that's exactly what happened to this man, manny welch. >> i come from a very good family. my father gave me the choice. he said, you either go to college, get a job, or you go to the service. so i took the naval exam and went to the navy. >> welch was stationed in alameda, california. he worked aboard "uss coral sea" aircraft carrier right after the vietnam ended. >> we were sort of in the peace time, so there was a lot of partying going on, a lot of celebrating going on, a lot of drugs were going on. >> reporter: after the service, welch's addiction took over. >> i was addicted to cocaine, marijuana, alcohol. they talk about drugs of choice. whatever was available, i used. >> reporter: he was arrested more times than he can remember. it robbed him of everything, his family, his kids, his job, his home, his dignity. >> october 25th, 2008, when i was rearrested in amherst, that was my darkest day, because i was at the end of the line. i was tired of being sick and tired. >> after 30 years of drug and jail time. >> hello, sir. >> how are you doing, your honor? >> reporter: h