I started using drugs when I was just 11 years old. For the next 25 years, addiction shaped my life—it brought trauma, rejection, and the heartbreaking loss of relationships, especially with my children. When my mom passed away, everything hit me like a tidal wave. I was estranged from my kids, at rock bottom, and felt completely alone. That’s when I entered a faith-based treatment program and stayed for a full year. It wasn’t easy, but that year gave me the foundation I needed. I’ve now been sober since August of 2017.