- Drugs
- Friends & Family
Submitted by: Amy Cooper
Almost nine years ago, I finally made a decision for good and I remember the day like it was yesterday. For a long time, I lived in darkness and chaos– I was using meth and I used every day until the day I quit. My family had distanced themselves from me; they didn’t know how to handle me. My family let me go so I could come to the realization that I wanted this for myself. That day arrived on Labor Day, 2009.
On that day, I finally picked up the phone and called my sister and was told her that I had to get help, and that I couldn’t do it all anymore. I had to make a decision, so I did. I went into an outpatient program and learned how to cope with the issues that were deep inside me that I didn’t really want to process, but I did.
I had to deal with abandonment issues and I felt like I had fallen so far below the goals of my life that I was almost afraid of succeeding.
Now, here I am eight years later. I finally graduated college I got a really good job. I moved from Texas to Atlanta and I’m a journalist for network TV. After I became sober, I worked two jobs and went back to school. I was a little slow to graduate from college, but that was ok, because I felt like my sobriety improved my study and work ethic. It felt good to finally be doing well and not to be constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop. I feel good that I gained responsibilities and was no longer just chasing a high. It felt great that I was no longer worrying my family.
I can’t explain how much joy I have that they’re proud of me again. That is awesome, because for so long they wanted nothing to do with me. My brothers have younger kids and they tell me now they’re glad that they have an aunt to look up to. At one point in my life, they were done with me, so it’s great to be a role model to my nieces and nephews.
I was able to work through all my issues with the help of counseling and I now know how to manage my stress. I know I can be my own worst enemy, so there are still times when it helps to speak with a counselor. I will not go back to where I was; that is not an option for me. I am grateful to have my family back in my life, along with my friends. I have a career now and just love my life.
Journaling was the thing that helped me the most, and it is something I still do. Writing things down helps me rationalize what is going on and use the tools I learned in outpatient treatment and in counseling. I no longer isolate myself or hide anymore. I enjoy my life, one awesome day at a time.