Trey White’s journey from meth to marathons

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg native Trey White has overcome addiction and now focuses his life on helping others do the same.

“I was raised in a very good Christian home, in church every Sunday, every Wednesday,” said White. “I was born here in Vicksburg, went to Porter’s Chapel, and was good at sports. Basketball, baseball, football, played them all and was all county/all conference all three years.” White looks the all-American part as well. He’s handsome, has an athletic build, and a confident, winning smile.

“In the tenth or eleventh grade, I turned to drugs. I went in and out, fought drug addiction for 25 years,” said White. “I’m a multi-convicted felon. I’ve always blamed other people for my problems.” Like most who struggle with addiction, White was in and out of rehab as well, including a 12-step program and drug court.

“This last time when I was incarcerated, I went in front of the judge as a 9-time convicted felon. I had already done drug court one time. I celebrated graduating from drug court the first time by partying and doing crystal meth,” said White. “For me, it (drug court) was an escape from trouble. I wasn’t trying to get help, I just wasn’t ready to accept help.”

It wasn’t long before White was back in jail and before Warren County Judge Toni Terrett. Seeing hope in his situation, Judge Terrett gave White one more shot at drug court. This time, it was a stricter version in the prison system. “I was angry with God and arguing with him. ‘Why would you make me an addict?! Why would you make me an alcoholic? How could you do this? You don’t love me.”

After 25 years of fighting with God and addiction, White came to realize, “I was the maker of my own misery. I was the root of all my problems. I couldn’t blame anyone else.” Taking responsibility for his situation is when things started to change for Trey White. From there, during that last time in prison, White was introduced to a program called Peer Support. “It is one of the greatest things in my recovery,” said White. He joined the program, completed the training, and is now a Peer Support Specialist at Belmont Gardens. “Getting to give back to people that are just like me, who are exactly where I’ve been. I can relate to them. I can see it in their eyes; I can relate to that.”

In addition to being a Certified Peer Support Specialist, White is attending Alcorn to become a drug and alcohol counselor and is expected to graduate in the Spring of 2026. White then plans to pursue his Master’s Degree from Jackson State.

Addiction

“I think addiction is a choice that we make. We choose to get high. Ultimately, that is our choice,” explains White. “I do think there are points where you don’t have a choice, where you’re detoxing and your brain is really telling you you’ve got to have it, but you’re still making a choice.”

White will graduate from drug court in December of this year. On January 11, 2026, he will join 24,000 runners at the Houston Chevron Marathon. “Because I graduated from drug court the first time and celebrated by getting high, I wanted to do something good this time to celebrate. I’m going to run the marathon and am asking people to sponsor me for a mile, a few miles, whatever they can do,” said White. “The money will be going to the sober living houses here in Vicksburg. There are six sober living houses here: One-Way Sober Living, Renewal House, Belmont Gardens, Serenity House, SWAG Ministries, and Beautiful Deliverance.” White’s goal is to raise $3000 and donate $500 to each of the six houses.

You can support White by donating to his GoFundMe. It reads:

From Chains to Change: My Marathon of Redemption On January 11th, 2026, I will be running the Houston Chevron Marathon—26.2 miles of grit, grace, and gratitude. This isn’t just a race… it’s a celebration of redemption.

In December, I will graduate Drug Court—for the second time. But this time, everything is different. In 2007, I completed Drug Court for all the wrong reasons. I didn’t think I had a problem. I thought I just got caught. I took the program to avoid prison and celebrated graduation by getting high. I was still lost, broken, and searching for something I couldn’t name. Fast forward to now—God gave me another chance, and so did the system. I had to beg to be accepted back into Drug Court, and when I stood before Judge Toni Terrett I told her honestly—I didn’t think I deserved another chance. I thought I had already blown the grace God had given me. But she gave me a shot… and God moved in my life. Since then, I’ve embraced recovery in a whole new way. I’ve found purpose, peace, and a path that’s not just about staying sober—it’s about giving back. So I’m running this marathon not just for me, but for every man and woman still fighting for their recovery.

Here’s how you can join me: I’m asking friends, family, and supporters to sponsor me per mile—whatever God lays on your heart. I’ll be running all 26.2 miles, and every single mile will be a tribute to grace, grit, and second chances. All proceeds will go to support six local sober living houses that are helping people like me build real lives in recovery: • Renewal House • Belmont Gardens Sober Living • Serenity House for Women • S.W.A.G. Ministries • One Way Sober Living • Beautiful Deliverance My goal is to raise $3,000—that’s $500 per house. The money will go toward essentials—things that help make these homes true stepping stones to long-term sobriety.

Why This Matters: These sober living houses are lifelines. They’re where people go to rebuild what addiction tried to destroy. A safe bed, clean clothes, support, structure—those things matter. I know firsthand. I’ve lived it. Stay Tuned: I’ll be sharing updates during my training journey. I’ll also post a live link on race day so you can follow my progress and cheer me on. I’m determined to finish this race, and your support will carry me each step of the way. In the coming days, I’ll share a link where you can give. Donations will be tax-deductible. Must request tax deduction if needed. Let’s run this race together—for recovery, for hope, for change. Thank you for helping me help others. Let’s make these miles matter.

With love and gratitude, Trey White, Certified Peer Support Specialist, Belmont Gardens Recovery Center, From Meth to Marathon.