I started using alcohol at the age of 14 as a way to cope with the grief of losing my grandmother, who was my primary caregiver. With no one to support me, I struggled to deal with the emotions, and my substance use spiraled from alcohol to opioids and cocaine. By the time I was 26, I had lost almost everything—school, jobs, relationships, and my self-respect. I realized I had reached rock bottom and couldn’t continue living that way. My journey to recovery wasn’t immediate. I was in and out of 12-step programs for over a year before I finally entered inpatient treatment and sober living in early 2022. That 30-day program, followed by an additional 30 days in sober living, gave me the stability I desperately needed. Over time, I rebuilt my life—getting a job, saving money, and even enrolling in college. Today, I’m in a healthy, loving relationship that has renewed my faith in myself and in relationships. I now realize that hitting rock bottom wasn’t the only way to change, and I’m committed to helping others recognize the signs of when their current path isn’t working and take steps toward healing before it gets too late.