From Addiction to a Caring, Loving, and Nurturing Mother: My Story
On May 14, 2021, I became a graduate of the Narconon Suncoast Program. On May 15, 2021, I flew back to Ohio to be reunited with my family. Meeting me at the airport were my biggest cheerleaders—my mom, dad, and my two boys. I was greeted with big smiles and the biggest hugs.
I was not the only one that was affected by my addiction—my whole family was. While I was away working on myself and getting clean, my family was trying to heal from the devastation that I had caused. My children had seen their mom at the lowest point in her life. So, when I completed my program and got to be reunited with them, I was beyond excited.
You see, getting sober was the easiest part of my journey. It was owning up to my past and what I had been doing, and then reaching out and asking for help that was hard. My journey would get even harder as my day came to depart from my safe place (the program). The real fight and battle began when I walked out those doors and into a world full of influence and darkness. It was now up to me to be able to face my challenges head-on and have the courage to walk away.
After being home for two short days, I had an interview, got the job, and became a productive member of society. My work family knows my story and the struggles that I face. The best part of this, is they support my journey and encourage me every step of the way. I was able to celebrate my 40th birthday with a sense of accomplishment and surrounded by family and friends. My first birthday in four years being free from the demon of addiction.
My oldest son came back from his deployment to a mom that fought hard every day to remain on the road of sobriety. We (both my boys and I) were able to enjoy the 4th of July together with friends. This was my first major holiday that I was able to create new memories. First clean holiday in four years too. I have been able to do things with my family that I wouldn’t have been able to do in active addiction. I have a long road ahead of myself, but every day I grow stronger. As I sit here today, looking back to February 8th, my life has forever changed.
It is with hard work and the grace of my higher power that after successfully leaving Narconon Suncoast, I am proud to say I celebrate 6 months clean. That’s 180 days of every second on the day that I had the courage to say NO. I’m free from a demon that once controlled my life, and I had once danced with for far too long. To some, it’s not much, but to my family and me, it’s everything. My parents haven’t had to worry about getting a call saying their daughter won’t be coming home. My boys, well, they get to see true happiness and genuine smiles. They get to see that what was once broken is slowly getting fixed. Every day they see the transformation from being an addict to a caring, loving, and nurturing mother.
“My journey from addiction has not been easy, but I will be the first to tell you it was worth every tear, sleepless night, and fear of the unknown.”
My journey from addiction has not been easy, but I will be the first to tell you it was worth every tear, sleepless night, and fear of the unknown. I’m very passionate about my history with addiction and recovery. I’m open and honest about it all. Although my emotions and feelings are still raw and I’m vulnerable, I’m hoping my story will help save someone’s son, daughter, mother, or father. In the fall, I will begin a whole new journey while focusing on my recovery. I will be going back to school to get my addiction counseling degree. I want to help bring awareness to addiction and help those in need. If you are struggling or know someone that is, let them know they are loved, there is hope, and help is out there. While this is your fight, you are NOT fighting alone. You are worth the fight and every step you take is worth it. In case nobody has told you today, YOU GOT THIS, I BELIEVE IN YOU!
Amy H.—Narconon Suncoast Graduate
