- Drugs
- Faith
- Friends & Family
Submitted by: Amy Cooper
I had used since I was 13. I guess I really got into my active addiction at age 15. Then it went on for another 20 years. In high school I flew under the radar—I even got to college to pursue my dream.
Once I entered the workforce, I found that it was much easier to get things done when I used. I never thought I was out of control. I got a little older, got married, and had two kids, and I was still using.
My older son had some challenges; we don’t know whether they’re from my using or not. I fell into what I thought was a depression that I just couldn’t pull myself out of. By then, I did realize that getting loaded didn’t help. I really wasn’t seeing friends that much and started to isolate.
“I came to a point where I couldn’t do it anymore. So, I checked myself into the hospital. The last day of using before I checked myself in was chaos.
” I started abusing my children, and they were two and four and I was really afraid I was going to kill the oldest one, who already had challenges, so I left them alone at home.
God works in mysterious ways– my old neighborhood friend called after I left that day and my oldest answered the phone. She asked to speak to me and my son told her I wasn’t home. She asked to speak to my husband or babysitter and he told her no one was there and that he was taking care of his little brother. She called another neighbor. My eldest son is very much a rule follower and wouldn’t let anyone in as she knocked, so this neighbor sat outside the door until I got home. She said, “I don’t know what’s going on with you, you need some serious help.”
That next morning, I checked myself into the hospital. It was the best thing I ever did. I was there for five days. I then was accepted into their aftercare program and as soon as I got in the aftercare program I started going to 12-Step meetings.
Despite his challenges, my oldest son was accepted on a scholarship to Georgia State Music Program. My youngest is heading into his senior year of high school. He is the senior class president and is active in drama.
One of my proudest moments happened after my youngest son’s last prom. He came to me and said that a bunch of his friends didn’t want to go to a party after prom where everyone would be drinking or drugging. They wanted to come to our home instead. I told him nothing was allowed at our house and he was fine with that. So, I prepared a big spread for them when they got home, and then fixed them a big breakfast the next morning before the kids went home. They were in a safe place after prom and enjoyed playing games, watching movies and enjoying one another’s company.
I don’t want to give up this life for anything– I look forward one day to being there for grandbabies, and look forward to whatever life has in store for me and my family.