Paying #Recovery Forward

I'm surrounded by amazing people that are winning their moment-by-moment battle of recovery from substance abuse. People with amazing stories of overcoming addiction. And people that, because of their story, are helping others by "paying it forward" (respond to a person's kindness to oneself by being kind to someone else). You may be surrounded by these people as well whether you know it or not.

I have written about these heroes in a variety of ways since I started blogging:

• "A Woman of Integrity ... in #Recovery" on April 4, 2018
• "Stories are Everywhere" on September 6, 2017
• "A Success Story" on August 25, 2017
• "Overcoming with Community" on March 23, 2017
• "Real Stories" on August 19, 2016
• "It's Personal" on June 30, 2015

I've also had substantive discussions with someone making a global difference - Ryan Paul Liabenow (watch this video for more insight into his story and passion) - who has helped educate me on many of the nuances of addiction.

I even wrote "The Twelfth Step" on September 26, 2016 about - literally - "paying it forward." It's possibly because of this twelfth step that so many successful in recovery make it their life's mission to help others that haven't come as far ... yet. I have met many people in this situation and almost unanimously they're "paying it forward." It's obviously not a coincidence.

And now I have a new story from a new friend. Of personal destruction. Of personal victory. Who is "paying it forward." Another amazing person doing amazing things. Her name is Jasmine Turner, Anchor Minister/Adult Discipleship Coordinator at North Atlanta Church of Christ.

This is her story in her own unfiltered words (I have highlighted some statements that specifically resonated with me). I dare you to read this and not be moved ... to change ... and help others to change. However deep in despair and disrepair you may be there is hope once you decide to change. Your past does not have to predict your present or future. It didn't for Jasmine.

=====

One day when deep in my addiction I asked my mom to call the show Intervention because I needed help. I used to watch that show over and over again wishing that I could just get away from the life that I was living. After a few months, my mom told me she had found a treatment center for me. With me still being in active addiction my enthusiasm to try again was not so high on the radar at that time. Then she told me it was in Atlanta….. My first reaction was ABSOLUTELY NOT HAPPENING!! However, deep down on the inside I wanted something different. I was tired. After putting it off for as long as I could, my son and I arrived here in Atlanta on April 12th 2011 after taking a 23 hour greyhound bus ride from Chicago strictly for treatment. After trying treatment 6 times in Chicago the plan was to try something different. My plan was to attend treatment for about 30 days to get well and head back home. The people here were too nice and friendly for me. When I arrived at the treatment facility a nice lady gave me a hug and told me that I could make it. I didn’t believe or understand her at the time, but I ended up completing 365 days of residential treatment. I learned to love and like myself again. I learned how to be the best mommy that I can be to my son. I learned so many tools and coping skills to use instead of trying to numb my feeling by getting high or drunk. Treatment was the scariest thing that I’ve ever done yet it was also the BEST choice I’ve ever made.

On April 10th, 2012 I moved into transitional housing. I knew that I did not want to go back home to Chicago where my life had hit rock bottom and all my people, places and things were. I knew that the structure and accountability was still needed as I was in active addiction for 12+ years. Heroin was stronger than me and I knew I needed more help. I attended aftercare at the treatment facility as well as the transitional housings aftercare for one year which allowed me to continue to learn about the disease of addiction as well as give me the tools needed to abstain from using again. I thank God I was able to drop my son at daycare while I worked because I never had to worry about whether or not he was being fed, his safety or how he was being treated. I knew the staff was going to take care of him as if he were their own.

I was held accountable for keeping my apartment clean and abiding by the rules of the program. I can’t say I was happy about them all the time, but because I had nowhere else to go besides back to the old people, places and things in Chicago I chose to abide by them to the best of my ability. At one point, while in transitional housing I lost the job that I had. After sulking for a day or two I walked to the main office of the transitional home and asked if I could volunteer. I had to stay busy. I volunteered at the front desk, refilled tissue, cleaning the kitchen or just helping the staff with whatever needed to be done. One day I was offered a job doing what had started out volunteering doing. While working and volunteering I was able to learn different skill sets that I am now using on my current job. I am grateful for the opportunity because just being given that chance helped me to start believing in myself.

After about a year in the transitional housing program I was accepted into a permanent housing program for women and children. This was another step up in the sense of responsibility and independence. I treated that apartment as if it were my own. I turned lights and water off when not being used because it was those things could send the bill sky high. I didn’t even allow red juice as I didn’t want to mess up the carpet. I still had to attend monthly community meetings and even though I didn’t always feel like it all the time, I still needed the structure and I did not want to go home to Chicago. I am now so grateful for my journey through transitional and permanent housing because I was able to live in a nice apartment in a nice neighborhood and was able to save money while doing so. Every pay check I saved at least $20. That was truly a blessing. Living in permanent housing showed me what it was like to live independently and be accountable to my recovery at the same time. Today, I am very overjoyed to say that consistently saving for the 5 years while in transition and permanent housing allowed me to be able to purchase my very first home! To God be the Glory.

When I first arrived in Georgia a little over 7 years ago, I didn’t realize how much my life would flourish. I recently graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Human Resources! Today I am employed full time and a productive member of society. After working for 1 year for the sober living home I was hired at the treatment center that I went through and worked there for 3 years. I arrived in Atlanta for treatment on a Wednesday and that night we attended a 12 step Christian support group at North Atlanta Church of Christ. I remember thinking how cool it was for this church to have a recovery ministry. The people there were also very loving, friendly and accepting of my past. I was baptized shortly after and was able to develop more of my own personal relationship with my higher power whom I call God (Jesus). There were and still are specific bible studies that correlated both recovery and spirituality. Just what I’ve needed. NACOFC became my church home because of this. Recently, I accepted a new job as the Anchor (Recovery) minister at North Atlanta Church of Christ. Grateful.

I am a person in long term recovery. What this means for me is that I have not used a drug, drink or any mind-altering substances in 7 years, 4 months and 25 days. Because of this I am a better woman, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, friend, and employee. I love the woman I am today. My son loves his clean and sober mommy. I will continue to stay connected to the treatment and transitional housing program, meet regularly with my sponsor, attend my AA meetings, sponsor ladies, stay actively involved in my church, grow in my relationship with Jesus, and spread the message of hope wherever I go. One day at a time I will surrender my will and let God lead me on the path he wants me to go. I’m grateful to everyone I’ve met on this journey that continues to believe in me and helped me to know freedom from the bondage of addiction. I still have a long way to go, but one thing I know is that Recovery is possible and I won’t give up NO MATTER WHAT!!!

=====

September is National Recovery Month. If you live in the Atlanta area and are in need of help, check out the ANCHOR Ministry whose focus is #LoveFirst.

Until you give up hope there is hope. #CleanUpTheMess