By Jessica Anderson | Residential Aide Manager
The Struggles of Addiction
Hello, I’m Jessica. I am an addict, but in my darkest hour, I found my inner strength. My sobriety date is 8/26/2018, and ever since that day, I’ve chosen sobriety, no matter what. My mantra became ‘no matter what,’ as I realized that no matter the challenges I face, turning to alcohol or drugs will never be a solution.
As a young girl, I fell into the clutches of addiction. It made my life a living hell, leaving me homeless after burning all my bridges, including some of my family members.
The person I turned into was cold, hollow, and unrecognizable. I didn’t just hit rock bottom; I dug deeper. The depths I plunged into were like something out of a horror movie.
The Turning Point
2014 marked the beginning of my realization. The epiphany hit me one day when I was homeless and tired of chasing drugs. So, I left my two-year-old daughter to seek treatment at the Jefferson Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center (JADAC).
Unfortunately, my first attempt was short-lived, but it didn’t discourage me. I enrolled myself back into the program multiple times. But by 2016, I recognized that I needed something more substantial, so I sought out inpatient rehab programs.
Rebuilding Myself
My search led me to Recovery Works Elizabethtown. Defeated and devastated, I couldn’t even lift my eyes to meet yours. But this place planted the seeds of change in me.
My sobriety continued into 2017, and I felt strong enough to bring my oldest daughter home. However, in 2018, I suffered a relapse.
The Wake-Up Call
My wake-up call came on August 26, 2018. That was the day my middle daughter was born, and I received a visit from Child Protective Services (CPS) in the hospital. My manipulative tactics kept my children with me for a while, but my moment of reckoning came when CPS removed them from my care.
This heart-wrenching loss propelled me to fight tenaciously through the CPS/Court process for a year. It was a time filled with pain and tears. However, I realized it was all worth it when I brought my middle daughter home on September 10, 2019 – after more than a year of sobriety.
A Fight Worth Fighting
Despite the hardship, the fight to reclaim my daughters and my life was ongoing. My oldest daughter finally came home on May 23, 2024. The battle was arduous and the journey to stay clean through it all was incredibly difficult. But having my children back made every struggle worth it.
Finding Strength in Recovery
Recovery saved my life, and for that, I am forever grateful. In my journey to long-term recovery, I found support, self-respect, self-worth, and lifelong friends. I worked through the issues that brought me back to addiction. Now, I follow the spiritual principles of the 12 steps.
I’ve since returned to Recovery Works Elizabethtown, the place that changed my life. But not as a patient this time – as an employee. Here, I’ve worked my way up from Resident Advisor to Peer Support Specialist, and now to Residential Aide Manager. Helping people and offering hope is my ultimate goal, especially to those who feel lost, just like I once did.
Remember, “What we can’t do alone, we can do together. You are never alone.” Recovery isn’t just possible; it’s the most beautiful journey one can take.
About The Author
