Can I be a doctor if im trying to change my life?

Question by zaire f: Can I be a doctor if im trying to change my life?
Hi, I am a 27 year old junior majoring in sociology and pre-medicine. I hope to become a psychiatrist but i realize I have huge obstacles. When I was 20 years old, I became addicted to meth and heroine. I battled with the drug for over 4 years and accumulated several things on my criminal record. I was convicted of disorderly conduct (high), trespassing(sleeping on a college campus), giving out false information (2X)( being to high to properly give my name out) Forgery(signing the wrong name)…I was also charged and dismissed of giving out false information (2X), theft by deception(not making payments on a sofa from rent-a-center), forgery(signing the wrong name),resisting arrest ( caught sleeping in park)…..I have been off of drugs for over 3 years and have completely changed my life around. I currently have a 3.6 GPA and will graduate after only 3 years. I have extensive volunteer work and I serve on the Student Government. What should I do? Are my chances completely destroyed?

Best answer:

Answer by laura d
Yes!!!!
Here in California they have found in many circumstances that many of the psychiatrists and therapists that are book read, can NOT relate to drug users, former users and or the criminally inclined. In this they have begun approaching reformed users to become counselors & therapists for others that are currently in situations the others have worked themselves out of.

Yes, you will need a degree and YES you CAN become a Doctor!!

My daughter is currently studying to be a forensic psychologist, and although she does not have a past in drug use or criminal behavior, she is in a class: Counseling For Substance Abuse in Sub Cultures. The class is full of nothing but 40 year old reformed druggies & Jail timer’s that are studying for there degrees to become doctors in the field of therapy for current users and jail timers.

Once you have received your degree, I would suggest approaching the court to have at least some of the charges against you removed from your record, (show proof of your accomplishments) and let your new reputation carry you to new heights. We wouldn’t be who we are if we hadn’t done what we did…..So embrace your past and make the very best of it! 🙂

What do you think? Answer below!