I grew up in a strict, religious home where I was taught that peace could only be found through church and religion. My upbringing was sheltered, and I attended a very small private school where I struggled academically. Because of this, I grew up feeling uneducated and believing I was “stupid.”

As a young woman, I married a man I didn’t truly love, pressured into it by my mother. During our marriage, my husband attempted suicide multiple times and spent years manipulating me into thinking I was crazy. His emotional abuse was successful, breaking down my self-worth.

After the birth of my oldest daughter, he made another attempt that left him with a severe head injury. For three months, he was in a coma. When he awoke, his mental and emotional state was that of a teenager. With a newborn in my arms, I was now caring for a husband who could not function as an adult.

Despite all the challenges, my religious upbringing urged me to keep trying to save my marriage. I became pregnant again, but just 14 weeks into the pregnancy, he left and began a new life. Eventually, he took his own life, leaving me to raise my daughters on my own.

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The Struggle to Keep Going

Those next years were filled with hardship. I worked to complete my education while providing for my girls, but severe depression consumed me. My self-esteem was destroyed by years of being told I was unwanted, stupid, ugly, and fat, words I believed.

In my darkest moments, I turned to alcohol and self-harm as a way to cope. I didn’t believe I deserved love. Drinking became my way to escape, but soon it became my prison.

One of my therapists suggested I might be an alcoholic and recommended an IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program). At first, I was furious. I denied it. I thought my drinking was normal, that I could stop anytime.

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Facing My Addiction

After a year of trying to stop on my own, I finally admitted I was an alcoholic. My life spiraled into a very dark place, and I checked myself into my first rehab program.

Rehab was terrifying at first. I felt out of place and vulnerable. However, it soon turned into one of the most transformative experiences of my life. For the first time, I found connection with people from diverse backgrounds who understood my struggles. It opened my eyes to a world beyond the rigid bubble I had always known.

I managed 30 days of sobriety before relapsing. I started attending meetings and met my sponsor—a woman who showed me love even when I couldn’t love myself. She stood by me through four months of continued drinking before I returned to rehab for the second time.

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​​The Cost of My Drinking

My addiction didn’t just hurt me, it deeply affected my daughters. My oldest once had to call 911 and fight with me while driving me to rehab. Those moments left scars that time can’t easily erase.

After my second rehab, I stayed sober for a year. Then I relapsed, on mouthwash. This relapse led me into the darkest stage of my drinking. I drank from morning until night, passing out, then waking up to drink again.

I finally understood how serious my addiction was. I sought help again, determined to break free. That was the turning point. I have been sober ever since.

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Life Today

Today, my life is completely different. I am sober, and so are my daughters. We are healing together, rebuilding trust, and creating a life rooted in love, respect, and hope.

Through Love Prevails, I share my story not as a tale of tragedy but as proof that recovery is possible. Addiction can strip everything from you, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your story.

I now work as an interventionist, helping others who are lost in the same darkness I once lived in. My mission is to guide people toward hope, treatment, and lasting recovery, because I know firsthand that no one is beyond saving.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, know that there is a way forward. Love Prevails exists to remind you that no matter how broken life may seem, healing is possible when love leads the way.

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Moving Forward With Love and Purpose

I am living proof that life beyond addiction can be rich, purposeful, and beautiful. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth every step. My hope is that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to believe in their own strength and take that first step toward recovery.

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Ready to Start Your Journey?

If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Reach out today to learn how Love Prevails can support you on the path to healing and sobriety. Together, we can conquer addiction and create a brighter tomorrow.

Reach out today to begin your journey toward recovery.