There was a time when I felt completely broken. I lost my father, and the grief swallowed me. I turned to meth to quiet the pain, then spiraled into a world of addiction, using whatever I could find: Methanphetime, Adderall, weight loss pills, cocaine. Things got worse when I married my dealer and spent years in an abusive relationship. I went through homelessness, brushes with the law, and the kind of trauma that leaves you unsure who you even are anymore. But then I found out I was pregnant. That moment snapped something awake in me; I quit cold turkey and never used again. It wasn’t easy. Recovery wasn’t just about getting sober; it was about clawing my way back to myself. I fought for my peace, leaned into therapy, found support, and eventually built a life I never thought possible. Today, I’ve been clean since 2001. I’m a Peer Support Specialist helping others with complex PTSD, mental health, and addiction. I use what I’ve lived through to walk alongside others in their darkest moments. I know what it’s like to feel lost—and I also know the way out.