“When I found out about drugs, that was my escape from reality. I’ve come so far from where I was. I have respect for myself today.”
Coming from living on the street, I was in addiction real bad. I chose to use my money for drugs instead of having a roof over my head. I used drugs as a way to escape reality. I had a lot of anger inside from the way I grew up. The sexual abuse, the mental abuse. My parents were killed when I was five, so I had a lot of anger. I used books to escape reality. But, when I found out about drugs, that was my escape. I put every penny I had into drugs. I did not like responsibility. Eventually the toll it took on my body and on my mind – rage, abuse, and the beatings – I knew there was something else out there. I would see people going to work. I would see people in clean clothes. The families, the kids smiling, and I wanted that. I got tired of being dirty, homeless, and hungry.
My way wasn’t doing it. I tried the program and opening up my mind and taking suggestions. Today, I have a roof over my head. I have clothes to wear, and I have money in my pocket. If I’m hungry I can go get something to eat. I’ve come so far from where I was. I can say, “I’m not sleeping in empty buildings today.” I can hold a job. I have a relationship with my baby girl. I can sleep with peace of mind. I have respect for myself today. I met someone special who introduced me to things around town that I see on TV. Plays, movies, and restaurants. Things that’s little to people, but it’s so big to me. There’s a world out here and I’m so grateful to live today and experience it. There’s a new world for me.
Always Made New 