Psychology student Cody Peterson shared his personal history of addiction and legal struggles in a feature from the University of Utah Communications. Peterson, who has faced significant personal challenges, is now pursuing academic interests in psychology and literature.
Peterson described a period of substance use that began at age 14, leading to a departure from school and ongoing student loan obligations. He reported having more than 20 misdemeanors in Utah and two felonies, noting that he once had four warrants for arrest across four different states.
Since achieving sobriety, Peterson has focused on writing and studying figures such as Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. His work includes the book The Shadow of a Figure of Light, published by Chiron, and an essay titled The Iron Thūmos and the Empty Vessel, which appeared in Jung Journal.
Peterson expressed an interest in studying ancient Greek and the works of Homer. He cited the phrase tetlēoti thūmōi, meaning with a soul having endured, as a concept that connects human endurance to personal value.
Peterson plans to begin graduate school next year. He intends to become a clinical counselor to assist others in discovering their own value.
