- Drugs
- Faith
- Friends & Family
- Mental Health
In all honesty, I was always looking for positive change. I come from a background that was filled with abuse and drug addictions. I grew up in it. I was raised up to think that doing, selling and even making drugs was a sort of normal. I have always tried to see the best part of things, but I honestly did not see things as much better than they were. I did what I felt I needed to cope… until something better came along.
My turning point finally arrived when I realized that despite our lack of opportunity… my children were growing up and I wanted them to have more options. I found my help mostly though online support and education through other people’s stories…through my faith in the possible, through music, art and by creating my own path to recovery.
I learned how difficult it is to do it on your own and that without learning how to motivate myself, I would not be in recovery today. I also learned that mental illness doesn’t define me. It’s just a result of the trauma I have endured. I would advise people to stand out from the crowd and get help however you need to at whatever pace you need. If it doesn’t happen right when you ask, don’t give up. Create your recovery. Set yourself up for recovery… not addiction.
Today, life is all around me. I sometimes have emotions arise and I don’t feel equipped to deal with them, but I know God has huge plans for me. I am able to conquer my fears sober and I am able to dream sober. I am able to do what needs to be done, and I feel proud that I no longer have to rely on a substance like I did. I look at sobriety like an adventure I’ve never taken before.
Today, I have just over one month in recovery and I am excited about the people God has in mind to help me along. He has not let me down yet.
If God can change someone like me and do the things he’s doing with me…there is surely hope for you. I am excited about my future and am excited to know that when I face my fears, I give my children a chance I never had. I hope they have a head start. This is part of my recovery story.