12 (Paperback)

Rusty Boruff spent years as a homeless addict, surviving from day to day and hit to hit. He lived for a party lifestyle, not realizing it merely masked the pain of abuse, heartbreak, and the slow erosion of his identity. When friends told him to slow down, he announced that he didn’t want to live past twenty-five anyway. He almost didn’t.

Eventually, he was incarcerated in an overcrowded jail, sleeping on a thin mat on the concrete floor because the jail had more inmates than beds.

One year into a potential fourteen-year sentence, he realized he wanted to change.

Now a certified relapse prevention counselor and employment specialist, Rusty shares how he transformed his life—and how his experiences can help others suffering through the pain of addiction, anger, and resentment.

Easy to use, honest, and raw in its emotional sincerity, 12:2 takes a holistic approach, working on spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health. This is not a book written by a distanced professional—these are the words of someone who has stood where you stand now and survived. This book can help you take the first steps toward recovery.

Rusty Boruff began writing 12:2 while incarcerated after spending many years as a homeless addict. The year he was released, he set out to help others.

Boruff began One Eighty, a nonprofit organization focusing on three areas which include; Prevent, Reach, and Develop. The nonprofit reaches out to public school kids to prevent them from falling into addiction, homelessness, and crisis. The organization also works with thousands of incarcerated and homeless people and helps house and employ those who want to change their lives.

Boruff and his work have been featured in national magazines, TV shows, and books. Grammy-nominated singer Matthew West wrote the song "We Are the Broken" about Boruff's life.

Originally from Aledo, Illinois, Boruff currently resides in the Quad Cities with his wife, Brook, and son, Tannen. Boruff is a certified relapse prevention counselor and employment specialist.