- Drugs
Monica’s Story
I got married when I was 21 years old. At 22, I gave birth to my son. A couple of weeks later, I had a kidney operation. Two months later, tragedy struck: my husband confessed he cheated on me because I was sick during my nine months of pregnancy with kidney problems. We were at an engagement party when he told me, and then he jumped in my car and left me. He got into a serious accident and had a traumatic brain injury. When I got to the hospital, they gave him a 1% chance of making it through the hour. Well, he made it, but he had to learn to do everything all over again.
During this time, I started going to a pain management clinic and was on OxyContin, morphine and fentanyl patches. Over the next two years, I tried my best to keep a happy face on, but I was full of resentment. Then the final blow came: I tested positive for Hepatitis C, and my husband filed for divorce.
I took my son to a relative and set out to party myself to death. When I could no longer afford my pill habit, I began smoking crack to calm the withdrawal symptoms. I subsequently lost my home, car, and contact with all family. I moved in with an abusive older man and we sold drugs to support our habit. After three to four years of this, I found out I was pregnant and couldn’t stop using. I went to a hospital and told them my situation, and they filed DSS charges against me. I gave my baby girl up for adoption to a wonderful Christian couple who couldn’t have children.
I spiraled out of control and was having seizures every other day due to my excessive drug use. I ended up in prison, and it saved my life. I have now been clean two years and attend NA on a regular basis. I have found a new way to live and am happy for the first time in my life. I see my son several days a week and have meaning in my life. I never thought I could get clean, much less be happy and clean. I give my Higher Power and my sponsor all the credit. I am so thankful for my past because it made me who I am today.