After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting from Humboldt State more than 35 years ago, Dennis Oakes enjoyed life as a banker and playing and teaching tennis. His plans as a graduate didn't include a 20-year addiction to crack cocaine.

He is now approaching his one-year anniversary of sobriety and depends on SF State for two things that made him happy before drugs - a college education and the tennis courts. He reflects on the challenges of his recovery and as a student.