- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Friends & Family
I have been sober since August 7th of 1995. I was using meth when my family sent me to treatment. I went through seven days of inpatient rehab, and then I went to Oxford house for year and a half at the age of 19. I have not used any mood or mind altering chemicals since. I’ve always been in the 12 steps and I still am in a 12-step program.
About six years ago, I had a vision to open a sober living residence for women that had a high accountability level with a low payment. I envisioned something that people could afford on a minimum wage salary. So, I opened a 501(c) and then I opened my first house.
Before this venture, I had not worked in the recovery industry. I was actually employed in pharmaceutical sales when I was introduced to a guy who is in this industry. He brought me to different events, similar to the Heroes in Recovery events. He told me I really needed to do some business development in this industry.
I started working with one company and stayed there for two years. Later, I got asked to go to another company as a director. I’m working full-time still but I am also the executive director of Simply Grace and we just opened our third house. That’s how I got into the recovery industry. I just feel like it’s my purpose.
The Beginnings
I knew that my life had to change and that I had to enter recovery when I was 19.
My birthday was coming up and I had been “up” for about two weeks. I remember went to the bathroom to dry my hair and I had smoked something to come down so that I wouldn’t be so wired up. I fell out on the bathroom floor and the dope dealers that lived with me came in there to get me. They had to break down the door and I woke up I-don’t-know how many hours later. The minute I woke up, I wanted more and even my dope dealer friends told me “no”.
So, I took my car to my grandparents’ house and that’s when my family intervened. They asked me if I wanted to go eat and go shopping for my birthday. I guess that was the only way they figured they could get me in the car with them. And I ended up in treatment that day, on my birthday. God touched me at that moment. I mean I had no idea who He was for a while but He had other plans for me. I had no idea what was going to happen but I knew that there was something definitely wrong with what was going on in my life.
Today I have freedom. I have freedom and I have a relationship with God that I didn’t even know was possible. That’s where I get my freedom. He is my everything, He hasn’t taken his hand off of me. If I could say anything that would be it. I have a relationship with someone so much bigger than me that helps me every single day to do the right thing. Even when I don’t want to do the right thing He helps me do it.
I now have two beautiful kids that have never seen me use any mood or mind altering chemicals. I’m responsible today. I’m a good friend, I’m a good daughter, I help other people when I can. I mean I can still be selfish and self-centered but not as selfish and self-centered as I used to be. Everything is different now.
My advice to you is: Don’t ever give up and be genuine and honest. Always. No matter what you’re going through just tell somebody. Reach out for help.