Laura E.’s Story

• 2021: Voices of Hope

Which Valley Hope location did you attend?

Valley Hope of Chandler

How has sobriety improved your life? What does your sobriety mean to you?

Sobriety has improved my life because it has enabled me to achieve the goals I set for myself before I started using. I became a mastery level mental health therapist and now I’m an attorney. I’m also a loving and responsible mother. I wouldn’t be any of these things without recovery. Sobriety means everything to me or else I will have nothing.

What is something you found surprising in recovery that you never knew before getting sober?

I was surprised to learn that recovery is continuous and requires daily effort. I thought if I went through rehab then I would be “fixed.” That wasn’t the case for me. Rehab at Valley Hope got me healthy enough to learn what I needed to do to be successful once I discharged.

How have you supported others in recovery?

I am a sponsor, and I also chair AA meetings.