I started as a 12 or 13 year old divorced family. Attempted suicides in the family. Plus I never felt right or fit in. Then I found the booze and drugs and when I say drugs ive done them all. I've done a little time in prison, county jails homelessness. And still being there for my 3 wonderful children. I have 30 years active addiction and I wouldn't be clean today if it wasn't for finding peer support online and I want to start helping others.

I struggled for a good 30 years inactive addiction I've got two and a half years clean and sober now a little bit more I have been around the rooms for a very long time I enjoy just talking about whatever you want to talk about what do you got going on what are your thoughts for the future what are your plans was talking about

I was a daily drinker for 18 years and now I have 18 years of continuous sobriety! My journey hasn’t been smooth sailing. I’ve faced addiction, mental health challenges, co-parenting struggles, and the heartbreak of losing loved ones. Through it all, I leaned into therapy and a strong support network to come out stronger. I'm now a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, and helping others find their footing is something I care deeply about. Whether you're navigating sobriety, parenting kids with complex needs, or just trying to keep your head above water, I’m here to listen, relate, and support however I can.

I had my first drink at 10 years old and was binge drinking regularly as a teenager. By 18, I was drinking daily and using drugs. I stayed stuck in that cycle until I was 36. It took me over two years of serious effort to finally quit. I didn’t do it alone—I leaned into a 12-step program, therapy, and a lot of support from friends who had been there. Now, I’ve been sober for over 17 years. Helping others get sober has become a part of my life too. I’ve supported friends through relapses, connected people with local resources, and even watched someone go from crying in despair to four years clean and thriving. I know the shame, the cravings, the lies we tell ourselves, and I also know it’s possible to live differently. I’m a dad, a surfer, and someone who still works on my mental health daily. Recovery has given me a life I never thought I could have. I’m here to listen, share what worked for me, and walk alongside anyone who’s just starting out or struggling to hold on.

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, togetherness and celebration. Maybe for some, but not for all. Are the media’s unrealistic “shoulds” creeping up on you? The Blues could start with the time change, something many are sensitive to: shorter days, having it get dark earlier can result in lowering mood/energy. There could be a tinge of blues or, for some, a stronger dose of sadness, isolation, grief, financial stress, memories of old family conflicts or unresolved issues, and even a sense of inadequacy. While The Blues affect everyone differently, some common signs are feeling anxious or irritable; changes in sleep or appetite; difficulty concentrating; and, lack of motivation to participate in or withdrawing from holiday social interactions (or even thinking about them!). As others start to make plans, I shut down. I’m remembering the “fun people” are no longer with me, I’m aware the usual “trimmings” make me slightly nauseous today. Sound familiar? Join me!

The biggest challenge was coming out to myself. In the recovery community we talk about the "gifts of sobriety," things we learn about ourselves once the substance induced haze dissipates. My coming out was just that.....a gift. I had just turned 50 when I told my drinking story at a women's AA meeting. While I was clueless about myself, every lesbian in the room knew I was one of them. Due to internalized homophobia and unfamiliarity with the lifestyle, I intuitively felt threatened: I was embarrassed and ashamed, afraid of rejection. Being in corporate mode, I "hired" a "consultant" to help me assess my status. In the process, I found I already had lesbian friends. I found acceptance of myself and others. Whether you knew when you were 8 or are just now in discovery, coming out can be the most liberating of experiences. I've been there, done that, and I can help make your journey easier. You don't have to navigate it alone. Let me co-pilot your journey of discovery.

I’ve lived a full life—with all the ups, downs, sharp turns, and potholes that come with it. I'm a mother of two sons of retirement age: the younger, I'm total estranged from, and it's the same as losing a child; the elder, a practicing alcoholic, is tricky. As a former marriage and family therapist, a caregiver for my dad during his final years, and someone who has fought my own battles with addiction and recovery, I deeply understand being in hard places. My struggles were relationship acceptance and guilt and shame. I was an inadequate parent and it brought great pain to us all. But I finally sought help. I no longer accept the unrealistic perfect mother model. Once I understood my boundaries, our relationship improved. I stopped listening to abusive complaints. Now we can tell when things are "going south" and we can gracefully withdraw from conflict. Acceptance and boundaries are game changers. They can be for you, too. Let me support and help guide you in this process.

My life has been a journey through pain, loss, and resilience. I grew up with I felt was an abusive parent and lost another at a young age. I survived a 15-year abusive marriage, faced infertility, and was blessed with twins through IVF. I became a caregiver to my terminally ill spouse and later endured the heartbreak of losing both my spouse and later one of my children who was 24 years old. Alongside these losses, I’ve faced my own health challenges and disability. For years, constant crisis defined my life, and when it finally quieted, I struggled to live what others call a “normal.” life. Through it all, I’ve learned that even in darkness, growth and hope remain possible. I’ve dedicated my career to helping others survive and heal—abused children, sex-trafficking survivors, women in crisis, and parents rebuilding their lives. Life is hard, but you can survive—and thrive.

I grew up in a home where religion was strong and drugs were never around, so I never thought addiction would be part of my story. But after a car accident in 2019, I was prescribed pain medication and found myself caught in a cycle I couldn’t seem to break. As a newly single mom to three kids, I knew I needed to find a way out. A trusted friend suggested medicinal marijuana, and with that, plus support, CBD, and physical therapy, I was able to finally get off all substances. It wasn’t easy — I had to figure out so much on my own, diving into books, podcasts, and eventually going back to school for psychology to better understand healing and growth. Through all the challenges, I found a new version of myself: stronger, happier, and more resilient than ever. I would love to walk with you if you're trying to break free, rebuild your life, and find your own strength again.

I am thankful for my humble beginnings. My Life is a true testimony that All things are Possible, if you believe. My Life journey has proven that you can choose to use your past for instruction and your future for construction in building a better life. I grew up in a very loving and secured environment. However, I struggled through many disappointments in life while trying to find my purpose, from seeking employment to maintaining relationships, I am divorced, As a single parent, I have raised two wonderful men. However working through my disappointments, financial woes, confusion and sometimes complete loneliness, my children kept me focused because they needed me. Today, I realized how much I needed them. For the last 25 years, the direction of my interest fell upon the needs of those who were charged with neglect & their children placed in the system for various reasons, victims of domestic violence & substance abuse issues. I dedicate my life to help restore, reconcile & heal

I’ve lived the challenges of navigating social services myself, including fighting for my daughter’s well-being through the child welfare system. These experiences have given me a firsthand understanding of the stress, confusion, and heartache families can face, and the determination it takes to advocate effectively. I’ve worked on real cases, providing guidance, support, and practical strategies to help families navigate complex systems and access the resources they need. My approach is rooted in empathy, patience, and a non-judgmental perspective — I’m here to listen, empower, and walk alongside you through even the toughest situations.

I offer addiction support that comes from a place of real experience and deep understanding. I’ve lived through addiction myself, spent time incarcerated because of it, and had to rebuild my entire life from the ground up after hitting rock bottom. I’ve been clean for over 10 years now, and I know firsthand how hard the road to recovery can be — the pain, the setbacks, and the incredible strength it takes to rise again. My support is rooted in compassion, honesty, and zero judgment — because I’ve truly been there too. Whether you’re taking your first step toward change or working to stay strong in your recovery, I’m here to listen, guide, and remind you that no matter how far you’ve fallen, it’s never too late to rebuild and find peace again. I’ve been where you are and know recovery is possible.

I started using drugs when I was 13—first cannabis and alcohol, then eventually harder substances like ecstasy, MDMA, and cocaine. For over a decade, drugs were how I coped with pain, trauma, and grief I didn’t know how to face. I thought I was escaping, but I was really burying myself under layers of hurt I didn’t yet have the tools to process. After years of spiraling and a drug-induced psychosis that shook me to my core, I made the decision to quit cold turkey in 2021. Recovery wasn’t a clean, linear path—it was painful, raw, and real. I had to relearn who I was without the numbing. I had to sit with everything I’d been running from. And I had to rebuild my nervous system, my sense of self, and my trust in life. I’ve supported my recovery with nearly two decades of therapy, mindfulness, and inner work. I’ve faced down the realities of complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic illness—all of which were entangled in my addiction story. But most importantly, I’ve learned that healing is possible. Not perfect. Not easy. But deeply, beautifully real. I’m here for anyone walking that terrifying, courageous path toward sobriety—whether you're just beginning or have been in recovery for years.

I started struggling with addiction at 19, with opioids becoming my drug of choice, alongside alcohol and other substances. I went through multiple rehab programs, but it wasn’t until I joined 12-step programs and started therapy that I truly began to heal. The hardest part wasn’t just quitting drugs, it was facing the mental health battles that kept me isolated and trapped. Depression and anxiety made me feel like I was unworthy of recovery. But over time, I learned that genuine connections with others were essential to my journey. Now, sober and healthier than ever, I use my experience to help others navigate their own recovery from addiction. Recovery is about rebuilding not just your life, but also your self-worth.

I started struggling with addiction at 19, with opioids becoming my drug of choice, alongside alcohol and other substances. I went through multiple rehab programs, but it wasn’t until I joined 12-step programs and started therapy that I truly began to heal. The hardest part wasn’t just quitting drugs, it was facing the mental health battles that kept me isolated and trapped. Depression and anxiety made me feel like I was unworthy of recovery. But over time, I learned that genuine connections with others were essential to my journey. Now, sober and healthier than ever, I use my experience to help others navigate their own recovery from addiction. Recovery is about rebuilding not just your life, but also your self-worth.

Recovery for me has always been a delicate balancing act. When one CPTSD coping mechanism comes into balance another one seems to get sent out of balance. Traditional 12 step programs, while helpful in some areas, segment maladaptive coping by issue e.g. food, relationships, alcohol. It took me nearly two decades to piece together a recovery framework that blended the wisdom of 12 steps with the more holistic approaches I found through Refuge Recovery, Charlotte Kasl's 16 steps, shamanic teachings, and Jungian-based therapies. These integrative approaches not only help me address the roots of these issues, but also give me a more compassionate language around and understanding of the fundamentally human challenge I'm experiencing. I believe everyone's recovery path is unique. But for me it was essential to find a way beyond conventional approaches.

After decades of problematic drinking, I finally made the decision to remove alcohol from my life back in May 2019. Unlike many recovering alcoholics, I did not utilize a 12-step program or traditional therapy. I instead used a combination of creative and physical outlets to channel my emotions, deal with my past traumas, and free myself from the pull of addictive substances. If there is a desire to remain sober, then healing is possible, and I truly believe that we each know what it is we are seeking if we are able to peel back the layers of societal responsibility and discover who we authentically are. It has been my privilege in recent years to share my story and to help others struggling with alcohol dependency to find a path forward that works for them— fueled by compassion, kindness, and connection.

I started struggling with anorexia, OCD, depression, and anxiety as a teenager, which led me to outpatient and inpatient treatment before college. Drinking entered my life around 19 or 20 and, at first, it felt like it helped ease my eating issues and anxiety. I didn’t see myself as having a problem, even when I dropped out of college after two years. Through my twenties and thirties, alcohol became a crutch I would return to, especially when life got overwhelming. Being a stay-at-home mom in a place I didn’t love, feeling isolated and stuck, made things worse. By 2016, my drinking was out of control again and my mental health was spiraling. In 2019, after a move to Florida and a month of drinking alone, I looked at myself in the mirror and realized I was done. I got sober that May and have stayed sober ever since. Art, writing, and connecting with others in recovery have helped me heal. Today, I lead a large online sobriety support group and love helping others find their way to a better life too.

I have always been passionate about nutrition and health. After having struggled with an eating disorder for years in my late teens and early twenties, as well as alcohol dependency, I now have a sincere respect for my body and aim every day to treat it with care, love and compassion. I do not adhere to specific rules or force myself to follow a strict diet or exercise regimen, and instead have learned to trust my intuition, listen to my body, and treat myself accordingly. I love to create healthy, mostly vegetarian recipes, high protein plant-based baked goods, and opt to get most of my exercise outside of the confines of a gym— taking long walks, doing body weight exercises, and allowing adequate time to rest. I have found a balanced way of approaching health, and would love to share the tips and tricks I have acquired in my over four decades of life.

I’m someone who has walked the tough path of recovery, dealing with challenges related to eating disorders (OSFED with anorexic and AFRID tendencies), addiction (including cocaine, Xanax, and marijuana), and mental health struggles like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. I’ve spent the last two years in recovery, learning how to build a healthier relationship with myself and others. Along the way, I also navigated emotional and verbal abuse, which made my journey even more complex. My goal now is to help others who are facing similar battles, whether it's with eating disorders, addiction, or difficult relationships. I’m here to offer support, share my story, and remind you that recovery is possible—even when it feels impossible.