I started drinking alcohol at the age of twelve and using drugs at the age of fourteen and continued on for twenty years. After twenty years of active addiction, I was finally arrested and sentenced to probation which saved my life. I completed an outpatient program and continued with counseling and therapy. Addressing my past traumas and the root causes of my addiction and tending to my mental illnesses allowed me to not only celebrate my recovery but celebrate my life. After years of endless cycles of substance use, depression, and hopelessness I decided to turn my pain into my passion. I enrolled in college to pursue my bachelor's of psychology concentrating on addictions, where I am maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I also took, passed, and acquired my Recovery/Life Coach certification, Recovery Professional certification, and Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification, along with certifications in ethics, and numerous other areas. I am currently working in a substance abuse treatment facility. I love being able to help others that are in the situation I once was in, it is rewarding beyond what words can express. My ultimate goal is to get my Master's in Psychology and go on to become a Substance Use Counselor. One day I would love to open up my treatment facility. I destroyed my life, my relationships, and myself. But through hard work, determination, and the love of the people around me I have built myself and my life up from the ashes. I know what it is like to feel like there is no hope, have no clue what to do, and be ready to give up. I know what it's like to not like the person you see in the mirror. I know what it is like to hurt, and suffer. I know what it is like to be strung out, and go through withdrawals. I am familiar with the feeling of being handcuffed and shackled. I know all too well what it feels like to be looked down upon, and have people not understand the battle you are facing. I also know what happiness, strength, self-pride, sobriety and recovery feel like. I know what it feels like to be comfortable in my skin and to love myself. I know what looking forward to the future feels like. I know what it is like to laugh, smile, and enjoy the small things in life. I know what the dark side of addiction looks like, but I also know the light of recovery is achievable and I want to help others reach recovery and obtain sobriety. They say recovery is possible and we do recover and I want to give others the hope that if I can do it they can too. Finally, I want to advocate for drug policy form. I want to advocate for treatment rather than punishment for substance abuse. I want to advocate for harm reduction programs in every community across the nation in the grasp of the opioid epidemic. I want to advocate for substance use disorder classes and treatment in every jail and prions in our correctional system. Most importantly I want to advocate for addicts everywhere whether in active addiction or recovering addicts. I want to destroy the stigma associated with addiction and be the voice of change with the hope that one day there will be no need for it anymore because substance abuse will be a thing of the past, overdoses will be a thing of the past and everyone can live in peace, harmony, and love. Free of their demons.