My journey hasn’t been simple. I’ve lived through the heavy fog of depression and the constant edge of anxiety—both made harder when paired with the challenges of addiction. At one point, I felt like I was drowning under labels and treatment plans that didn’t fully see me. What helped me begin to heal was understanding the connection between mental health and addiction, and learning how to build coping skills that addressed both at the same time. I learned to quiet the shame, replace harmful patterns with healthier ones, and honor my progress even when it came slowly. Today, I live proof that recovery is possible for people navigating multiple struggles at once. I now walk alongside others facing dual diagnosis challenges, offering hope, strategies, and space to reimagine what healing can look like—one step, one choice, one day at a time.