During the last presidential election, I was sitting in the county jail, a convicted felon back again for a probation violation. No idea how many times I’d been arrested at this point, however something was different this time.

When I was being handcuffed outside of my apartment in front of my 5-year-old daughter, I thanked the cops. I desperately wanted to make positive life changes but had no idea how.

This final arrest was my first step forward in recovery.

I spent 120 days in the county jail with more than enough time on my hands to overthink, be angry, cry, & become determined–I did not want to come back again.

The facility I was in allowed 12 step meetings to come and share the message with us. It was the first time I didn’t feel alone. There were other people like me who had found a new way to live without using any substances. This group of people accepted me, the real me and all my flaws. I knew then that no matter what I would not pick up.

That was 4 years ago.

Recovery has given me hope, unconditional love and acceptance, self-worth, value, humility–all the things I was searching for in substances and never found.

Doing the next right thing, going to meetings, working the steps, and being of service has brought endless amounts of blessings into my life! My recovery stays #1 because without it I will have nothing!

Photo is representative and does not show actual CMHS client