Lonnie Dixon says he is in a better place now, but for a while he was adrift: couch-surfing at friends' places or staying at a homeless shelter.

Dixon, who at 25 is once again living with his family in Groton, had little expression as he told his story during an interview in mid-August at Sound Community Services, where receives therapy and takes part in recreation and other activities offered through the AXS program for young adults. In a quiet voice, Dixon, who wore a dog training chain around his neck that he said a girl he met on a day labor truck gave him, spoke of troubles that have weighed him down since he was a teen.

Dixon is short. He said he was bullied and taken advantage of while attending high school in Halifax County, Va., and that after graduating he "went into a big depression and just gave up."

"Growing up, some people have it easy. Some don't. I was one of those who didn't," he said

Dixon said he was "young and dumb," and tried drugs to help him cope with trauma and anxiety over things he couldn't control. He said he's now clean and sober and that substance abuse is not his primary problem.

He said he joined the Army Reserve in 2016 and completed basic training, but hasn't drilled with a unit since 2017. He said he didn't have legal trouble, and a public records search indicates he has no criminal record in Virginia or Connecticut.

Dixon said he was diagnosed with separation anxiety and abandonment issues.

"There were certain times in my life when people told me they would be there for me, but they weren't," he said. "I got into trouble, and they wouldn't help me."

His family moved to Groton a year ago, after his father took a job at Electric Boat. Things didn't go well at home, and he moved out. He said he has matured enough to understand that he has to follow their rules while living in their home.

He works at the Wendy's restaurant on Long Hill Road in Groton, plays basketball at the recreation center at the Naval Submarine Base and plays drums at the Guitar Center.

He's thinking about his future. He likes to cook, and ideally he said he would like to own a restaurant that offers musical entertainment so that he can serve as chef and play the drums. Brightening up for a moment, he mentions that there's nothing he can't play on the drums — including jazz, funk, merengue and salsa — and that he can cook any kind of food.

He said he's working on getting a car and a home.

"I have to move forward," he said. "Maybe I could be there to help others. I like to turn negatives into positives."

k.florin@theday.com