My experience with mental health and substance abuse has heavily influenced every aspect of my life, as well as my parents' and children's lives. Both my parents, who divorced when I was one suffered from depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction. I started drinking and doing drugs when I was 12. I started seeing a psychiatrist at 16 where I was put on Prozac. I failed the 8th grade and went to my first treatment center when I was 15. For years I was in and out of mental health facilities and treatment centers. I also was in and out of jail and prison. I had quit school but did manage to get my G.E.D. In prison. I tried dozens of therapists, medications, outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, detox, and halfway houses. I was sentenced to drug court and managed to get a year sober. I got diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma and had to have surgery. I took pain medication post-op and relapsed shortly after. I got married when I was 19 and had a daughter two years later. We separated when Jessie was one and her father got custody of her because I was just not stable. I did not have an education and no decent job prospects because my criminal record was full of felonies. I just wanted to give up all the time it got to the point that I didn't want to live and just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. In 2008, I met a guy and we got married. Soon after, I got pregnant. He was on drugs really bad and became very abusive I was like a prisoner in my own home. He didn't want me to go anywhere without him and did not let me work. I was trapped. I tried to go back to school for medical billing and coding but after two semesters I had to drop out due to us fighting all the time. In 2019, I finally left and moved in with my mom. She was still on drugs and I was a complete mess. I ended up going to treatment and a halfway house for the final time. I started going to AA faithfully and I got a sponsor who guided me through the 12 steps. I started putting some days together and was stable on my anti-depressant. I reunited with my childhood sweetheart and we moved in together. He had a great job and for the first time in my life, I was sober and happy. Finally, it was time to go back to school after I got a year sober. There was only one thing that I wanted to do. I wanted to help others who struggle with addiction and mental health issues. Today, I'm proud to say that I have been in school for a year and I have a 3.8 GPA. I am at Southern New Hampshire University getting my bachelor's in Health and Human Services. I plan on pursuing my master's in mental health counseling. My mother and my father both died in the same year as a direct result of alcoholism and drug addiction. My 26-year-old is in prison for assault. I am currently seeking custody of my 13-year-old and she will be starting high school in the fall. Hopefully, she will be living with me by then. I inherited my grandparent's farm and the house I have every good memory of growing up in. I am heavily involved in AA and I have a wonderful relationship with my significant other today. Best of all, I love myself and my life for the first time. I am grateful for every day I have the opportunity to wake up sober and with a renewed spirit. Through AA and school, I believe in myself and my worth. I finally get to give back to society instead of taking from it. I get to pay my bills and taxes. I get to show others that no matter how far down you have gone, it is never too late to change! Most people said, growing up that I never stood a chance with drug-addicted parents and I used that as a crutch for a long time. Environment plays a huge factor! It did for me and it did for my oldest daughter who has a daughter of her own. I'm praying she can break the cycle, there is still time! There is always a chance as long as we breathe. I will not stop until I share my experience, strength, and hope with everyone who will listen. There is absolutely not one " yet" that I didn't experience. Drugs brought me to my knees. This country is facing an epidemic unlike we have ever seen! There is not one person that hasn't been affected in some way. I want people to know that recovery is possible if you want it!

My dream version of my future self is to be of maximum service to others in all ways!

I am working towards my master's in mental health counseling and showing anyone that it is possible to find recovery, no matter what your circumstances are, who your parents are, or where you come from. I grew up with two addicts for parents and both died from drug-related illnesses in the same year. I started using drugs at 13 and got my GED in prison at 19. I had two daughters, both raised by their fathers and one is in prison now for a drug-related crime. I was introduced to treatment and recovery with AA/NA at 16 years old but did not " get it" until I was in my 40's. I have been to countless rehabs and detox and have no family whatsoever that is still living. I finally chose to change my life and go back to school in April of 2022. I have a 3.8 GPA and have made the honor roll every term. I am an active member of AA and sponsor other women. Anytime I am asked to be of service, I show up and suit up! I attend therapy every month with an addiction specialist where I receive random drug tests to hold myself accountable. I also volunteer with harm reduction where I give out Narcan and teach people how to help someone who is overdosing. With the Opioid Crisis claiming over 100,000 lives this year alone, making the life-saving medication, Narcan available in every household is my ambition. Recovery is my life!

I plan to help others that suffer from Opioid Addiction and other mental health problems. I am working towards my master's in mental health counseling and showing anyone that it is possible to find recovery, no matter what your circumstances are, who your parents are, or where you come from. I grew up with two addicts for parents and both died from drug-related illnesses in the same year. I started using drugs at 13 and got my GED in prison at 19. I had two daughters, both raised by their fathers and one is in prison now for a drug-related crime. I was introduced to treatment and recovery with AA/NA at 16 years old but did not " get it" until I was in my 40's. I have been to countless rehabs and detox and have no family whatsoever that is still living. I finally chose to change my life and go back to school in April of 2022. I have a 3.8 GPA and have made the honor roll every term. I am an active member of AA and sponsor other women. Anytime I am asked to be of service, I show up and suit up! I attend therapy every month with an addiction specialist where I receive random drug tests to hold myself accountable. I also volunteer with harm reduction where I give out Narcan and teach people how to help someone who is overdosing. With the Opioid Crisis claiming over 100,000 lives this year alone, making the life-saving medication, Narcan available in every household is my ambition. This is so important to me. You may say that it is my mission to help save as many people as possible! I have come to realize that it is not enough to try and reach addicts but to reach even the young man or woman who may never have taken a drug in their life and decides to try that colorful pill at a party. That pill could very well contain Fentanyl and kill that young person just like that! Having access to Narcan could save that person's life if someone at that party happens to carry it. Education is the first battle to overcome in this epidemic and I plan on being on the front lines! I truly believe if I can just reach one person, all my struggles in life will be with their weight in gold!