History in Recovery
We all have histories. It just so happens the past 7 years of my history was spent while being sober. This makes for some pretty amazing memories. I have been able to discover and do a lot in the past 7 years. I love that I have stuck at it long enough to share some history of this wild discovery.
It had come to my attention that while undergoing this transformation I needed to allow myself room to grow. My direction has shifted a lot over the years. I figured out what would not work and what can work, I have suffered a great deal of loss and have had my fair share of bad days. One thing that has stayed consistent is the decision I made years ago. I no longer wanted to feel entangled with what had so casually tore me apart day after day. With that foundation to go from the rest has happened over time.
I started with Intensive Outpatient at Anuvia. Once I finished my treatment I then decided to go back to school and enrolled at CPCC in the spring of 2009. During my time in community college I got involved with service on campus and I worked on recovery through the 12-step model. I also spent a lot of spare time reading books and learning about the disease of addiction. I needed it to be very personal so I could truly get interested in my personal reality. I had a year of school left and graduated with my two year degree. I started UNCC in spring of 2010. In the summer of 2011, I reached out to the university for help on campus.
My life changed dramatically when I went from not knowing my next steps and fearing the unknown to helping build a recovery program. That started with me being the only student. It was very discouraging when it was just me and as time passed I was reminded by many camps of people that I just needed to stick with it and so I did. Students began to get involved. I am the first student in North Carolina to graduate from a Collegiate Recovery program. I always have a legacy, one designed to help people well after I am gone.
I got involved with Young People In Recovery and was invited to join the group. Both Chelsea and I have been so very fortunate to be chapter leads for the Young People In Recovery- Charlotte, NC chapter. I love volunteering my time for recovery.
I then went on to work in the field of recovery. My first job in the field ended up not working out shortly after I received the position. I was able to work with one person and that person is still sober today. I do believe I was in the right place at the right time to work with him in his early days. I picked up and moved back to Charlotte. At the time I look back on how positive the time was right after that job did not work out. I was able to throw a party for my mentor Don, when he celebrated 30 years of sobriety. A month after that I went out to California and rappelled down the side of the W Hotel in Hollywood after raising money for recovery. A month later I got to speak at a friend’s 1-year anniversary in Charleston, SC. I had helped her at the beginning of her journey as well. I then had a dear friend tell me about Heroes in Recovery in the fall of 2013. I filled out an application, interviewed and was accepted!!! I am now in my second year with Heroes in Recovery. My life as an advocate has been such an amazing adventure.
I have learned so much and have been so blessed to be a part of something that I have been built to do through my history of experience. Ten months ago I began a full time job in the field and have absolutely loved it. There is nothing like this position. You have to be ready for anything. I went from being a person afraid of change and worried about what comes next to acceptance. Today I spend my days in a position to be ready for anything. Not to react but to respond. Taking things as they come. It has molded me into a more responsible person. It has me working on my boundaries every step of the way. There is nothing like aligning with someone for a short period of time to guide them while they build a sustainable foundation for the rest of their life. It is tough but absolutely the most rewarding line of work.
I have been a sponsor to a lot of amazing women. I personally have had wonderful sponsors as well. These partnerships in my life help me to be the best version of myself. My love life has been the toughest aspect of my life the past 7 years. I have definitely grown and changed through different relationships. The past years I have spent time creating in myself the things I would like to have in someone else. I know in my heart, my time will come. I have never lost sight of that fact.
As I move forward my life’s mission will always be to help provide resources to those that need them. I see this happening through many different avenues. I look extremely forward to creating new history. All my involvement has allowed me to develop a history in recovery. I am very grateful for all the changes and life I have experienced in recovery so far. My heart and dedication is unconditional when it comes to breaking the stigma of addiction, helping those that don’t realize help is available to them and anyone that needs help. Which always includes me asking for help as well.
My friends and family have been very supportive of my recovery and all that I am actively doing in my life. I can’t thank them enough for all their love and encouragement. I also want to thank them for not being okay with my drinking/drug use. At the time I was not receptive to the concerns but now looking back, you cared enough to say something and for that I am very grateful to you!
Thank you for continuing to read my blog. Also, please check out my other fellow advocates’ blogs! Heroes in Recovery is a movement designed to break the stigma associated with addiction and mental health. We do many things to support this mission including asking people to share their recovery stories with us. We also host various events around the country including our Heroes in Recovery 6k run/walk series. These focus on working with communities to raise awareness and break the stigma and motivating others to get involved.
You can visit Heroes in Recovery or reach out to me on Facebook and I can personally help you get started.
Godspeed,
Hillary