Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jan 2006
Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.aldergrovestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989
Author: Holly C.

I GOT A LIFE!

Editor, The Star:

I am a single mother with two children and the life I had made for us 
came crashing down after I developed a serve addiction to 
methamphetamine, pain killers, and marijuana.

We had suffered the loss of my fiancee' in a motorcycle accident, 
that I witnessed, just before Christmas in 2003 and my inability to 
confront our loss fueled my drug use and subsequent addiction.

After I started using on a daily basis it didn't take long for me to 
lose everything, most importantly, my children and our home, my job, 
my vehicles and all communication with my family.

I was using and using and finally began selling the drugs to maintain 
my habit. After being arrested many times and facing the loss of my 
freedom I thought that rehabilitation was a waste of time and that I 
would never be able to live a life without those drugs to help me 
function. The truth is I was not functioning with the drugs only I 
didn't know it.

My family came to me very gently and pleaded with me to get some help 
because they were in constant fear for my safety. When my family said 
to me that they did not want to visit me in one of three places, 
living on the streets, in prison, or at the cemetery, I knew that it 
was time to let them help me help myself. My oldest brother located 
this program for me on the internet and even though I was very 
resistant to rehabilitation I agreed to try it.

I came to the program in September 2004 with no hope of ever being 
clean. It wasn't long after I entered the program that I realized I 
really had a problem, I needed help and that these people cared about 
my ability to be successful.

My family's unconditional love for me, the brilliant processes of 
this program, and amazing staff saved my life.

I now work here and have dedicated my life to helping others put the 
pieces of their shattered lives back together. The pride I see in my 
children's eyes has been worth every ounce of struggle I faced.

This program has given back the child my parents so desperately 
missed and the mother my children so desperately needed.

HOLLY C. Program Graduate and Staff Member
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom