From meetings, harm reduction, MAT (suboxone), drug court, family, my old PO, my doctors & my husband who is also in recovery with me. I’m always just a call or message away.
How does your community support your recovery?
I have stayed very active in the recovery community. When I got into recovery back in 2018, I was still fighting a felony possession case & was on drug court guidelines. Ironically those professionals are still my support more then anyone. They saw me go from homeless, pregnant & addicted, gaurdianship gone of my children, & sitting in prison to successfully graduating drug court, Valley Hope, concluding felony probation & eventually get my children back along with all the other things I have accomplished. To this day I can still call my old PO & she will sit with me through it, even on days when she is at work with clients. She made time when no one else did, something I’ll always remember. Within a few years, I went from fighting for own life to fighting for my son’s life where we would be hit with diagnosis after diagnosis.
What advice would you give to someone who doesn’t have a recovery community?
I went through a pregnancy in 2017 while in active addiction. It’s a loneliness I don’t wish upon anyone. My addiction stole my happiness. It stole my joy during my pregnancy. I spent each day in tears because of guilt. I frequently tell people, “This pain is the worst you will feel, you have the power right now to start making that better. When you decide enough is enough, I’ll be waiting.”
I also tell those in early recovery that this first year is the most difficult, most awkward time. I have so much I could put in this area. Because all I want to do is show people that there is a way out, that it does get better. That you find your way eventually if you really want it.
People would say things like “be in the moment” and “one day at a time” and that never made any sense to me. I can honestly say that I’ve learned how to do those things today.
In the first six months of sobriety I have restored my relationships with my family and friends, fallen in love with my sober partner, thrived in my career and gotten plugged back in with communities I enjoyed before my addiction.
My passion for reading has turned into a wonderful opportunity of reading for a network that helps others. I am now two years into my volunteer work and absolutely love it!
Recovery thrives in community. Whether you’re seeking help, supporting a loved one, or celebrating life in recovery, we’d love to connect with you. Follow our social media channels, attend an event, or simply reach out—we’re here for you 24/7 at (800) 544-5101.
