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“As a woman in long term recovery, I share my story in hopes of inspiring other women, and to show that it is possible to face incredible loss at the hands of addiction and come back strong enough to say WE DO RECOVER.
Growing up in Lowell, drugs were all around me. What started as moderate or occasional use quickly spiraled into a daily habit. I had witnessed addiction destroy a number of lives and never could have imagined it would happen to me or what would become of my life.
I was a mother and wife yet getting high had become my priority. With numerous failed attempts at treatment, I was stuck in a cycle of relapse and recovery. Then, one fateful day, my entire life changed forever when I came home to find that my husband had passed away from an overdose. While the pain of losing my husband felt unbearable, and I wanted to do nothing more than to use to cope with the trauma, explaining to my son that “daddy was sick” was the moment I knew I had to get help. Not only for me, but most importantly for him. To give him the clean, attentive parent that he deserved.
This time around I was serious, and my recovery took precedence. After completing a detox program, I joined a residential rehabilitation facility and then later entered into a halfway house. When my recovery journey brought me to Worcester, it was then that I truly felt home. The Worcester recovery community provided me with an impenetrable network of allies who have helped me tremendously along the way.
When I first arrived at The Willing House, a sober living residence in Worcester, I was in desperate need of structure and a plan. Through guidance, self-reflection and dedication I quickly transitioned from resident to house manager and now the Director of Operations for all five residential locations.
Most recently, I joined Lake Ave Recovery with an open mind and fresh ideas on how to improve and streamline the treatment and recovery process. Through a hands-on approach, I work to guide people through the full continuum of care, from detox to independent, sober living and every level of care in-between. I consider myself to be “always on the clock”, well aware that you can never plan when and where somebody will need help. I work hard to ensure people are placed in the best and most suitable treatment and help support those in need of additional resources and wrap-around services to aid in their journey. My goal is to break down barriers that may stand in the way of recovery.
Throughout my recovery, I have been blessed with a remarkable support system who has helped me turn pain and grief into strength and resilience. Now in long-term recovery, I haven’t forgotten where I come from and the tremendous support that brought me to a place where I can gain back the life that I once lost. Every day, I am grateful to be able to wake up clean and see my children with hope and confidence for what lies ahead.