AUSTIN, Texas — A recent high school graduate is opening up about his life as an addict, and his journey of recovery.

Boomer Mackay, 17, said his drug abuse started in 7th grade with marijuana. It was in High School where he said things took a turn for the worse with the use of opioids. Mackay was eventually placed at University High School, one of the only sober schools in the country. It was there he says he was able to turn things around, and eventually graduate a year early.

"The feeling of looking down at the mountain and being like wow, I just walked up that? That’s how it feels everyday. It’s great," he said.

University High School operates under the University of Texas system meaning the academic curriculum is provided by the university.