"Thank you Pinnacle for teaching me the right way to live and how to navigate my recovery journey."

Candi D. | Pinnacle Treatment Services of Newport News

My name is Candi D., and I am a 40-year-old mother of 5 wonderful kids who mean the world to me.

I experienced a lot of traumas as a child from losing my father at the young age of 5 all the way up into my adult years. After my father passed away, I had to start attending therapy to try to heal from that trauma. Fast forward to when I was 14, I had my first suicide attempt and was put into a mental health facility in which I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder. After that I didn't realize but my addiction was already starting at the age of 16. I would go out and party with a boyfriend and his friends. I was drinking and smoking weed at that time. I had my first child at the age of 17.

When I was 19, I met someone new and began a relationship with him after a short time of getting to know him. When I was with him, I got pregnant almost immediately after we started dating and was forced to end the pregnancy. Shortly after that was when the abuse began. It was verbal, physical, emotional, and mental abuse. In 2005 he introduced me to cocaine, and that was the only way that I could handle being with him. CPS got involved because of the violent relationship between the two of us. They took my daughter from me and gave her to her dad temporarily pending the investigation. I was supposed to be able to have visits with her but the weekend of my first visit I was called and told that I was unable to visit her because of his noncompliance with CPS. That was when I went outside and told him that we were done. That I had lost the ability to see my daughter because he would not comply with CPS. During the relationship I was locked in a shed while he worked, and if I had any appointments the miles on my car were tracked. It was a horrible relationship.

After a year and a half, I relapsed for three months. I literally had everything back that I had lost and then lost everything again after. I had to make the decision to have my son go and stay with my daughter while I got the help that I needed. This is when I found Pinnacle treatment Center in Newport News Virginia. When I went into that center, I was terrified that I was not going to make it, that I was going to fail my children.

Once I was there, I met so many incredible people, people who knew how to make me think, how to process the traumas that I had experienced in my childhood and adulthood. They taught me that I could achieve anything that I put my mind to, they allowed me to cry when needed. I was able to share the things that had been affecting me for so long. I had a lot of anxiety as well and I found that diamond art was a way for me to cope with the anxiety. I asked if it would be okay for me to do them during groups and got approval. They are so accepting of things that help individuals and will accommodate you as best as they can, so long as it doesn't cause harm to others.

I was allowed to talk to my family and friends every night for an hour. I would call them and tell them about what I was learning about myself and the recovery process. I learned what it was that contributed to my addiction and why I had such a hard time with it. I learned to start loving me. While there I met many incredible individuals who helped me through this process. Ms. Paula, Ms. Nicole, all the amazing RA's that were at the house with us. I learned the things that I needed to do to be successful within my recovery journey. I realized that I needed to change my people, places, and things, attend 90 in 90, get a sponsor, work the steps, and allow myself to feel but not sink in my feelings. They helped me look for places where I could have my son with me.

After I couldn’t find housing, I went to stay at my mother's house. After 2 weeks I realized I couldn't continue to be around my mother as she is a serious trigger for me. I made the decision to move to Richmond, not knowing where I was going or how I was going to make it there. I started attending an online IOP that I have been attending since getting out of Pinnacle. Moving to Richmond was the best decision I made. I was able to get into a sober house and continue my journey of recovery. Here I was made to be accountable, be honest in my recovery, talk about the things that are bothering me and no matter what, do not use. I attended many meetings, found myself a sponsor, started working my steps and have learned to recover out loud and process things that need processed.

Pinnacle truly saved my life. I have my son back in my home with me after a year and half of being away, I have gotten my license back, and I am an Assistant Store Manager with a chain restaurant in Colonial Heights. I have been with this franchise for a year and a half and truly love my job. Thank you Pinnacle for teaching me the right way to live and how to navigate my recovery journey. You are all amazing and saved my life.