A little over a year ago, I returned to the recovery world traumatized, exhausted, and broken in spirit. I had been sitting in jail, and I could have gone home after only 11 days. But deep down, I knew that going home wasn’t what I truly needed.
I knew that if I wanted a real chance at change, I needed structure, support, and a safe place to rebuild my life. So I did something I had never done before: I advocated for myself. I begged my probation officer to send me to a sober living house instead. He listened. And he did. That decision become the turning point I didn’t know I needed.
When I arrived at my recovery house, I was scared, lost, and deeply unsure of myself. I had taken the first step by getting there, but I still didn’t know what my next steps were supposed to look like.
The director made it clear that I needed to get a sponsor and work a 12-step program. As I began exploring the different pathways available to me, I realized I wanted something deeper—something that would help me truly understand myself and build a lasting foundation for recovery.
That’s when a friend told me about Resilients in Recovery and introduced me to Ariella. We met for our first meeting, and although I felt a little intimidated at first, I quickly realized I had found something special.
Looking back, reaching out and showing up that day was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my recovery.
RnR has given me back me. Through the step work, I’ve learned to be rigorously honest—with myself and with my sponsor. That honesty hasn’t always been easy, but it has been necessary.
I’ve had to face some hard truths, sit with uncomfortable feelings, and release the things I could no longer carry on my own. Most importantly, I’ve learned to let go and let God have His way in my life.
Today, I’m not just surviving—I’m becoming the person I was always meant to be.
Today, I have a personal relationship with God that I never had before. I now know that He never left me—not even in the darkest moments of my addiction. He was always there, walking beside me every step of the way.
For so long, I tried to carry everything on my own. But all I had to do was ask for help. When I finally surrendered to His will, God blessed me in ways I never could have imagined.
I’ve been blessed to mend my relationships with my children. For years, my oldest son wanted nothing to do with me. Today, he shows up for me in ways I never expected.
He calls, he visits, and he wants to spend time with his mama. Those moments mean more to me than I can ever put into words.
Today, I get to show up for my parents. They call me about everyday things, and when an emergency happens, I’m one of the first people they reach for.
The relationship we have now is built on trust, love, and grace—things I once thought were lost forever. Being present for them today is one of the greatest gifts of my recovery.
Today, I serve as the house mom at the sober living house where I live. The director saw something in me—trustworthiness, responsibility, and strength—and trusted me to help hold the other women accountable in their recovery.
It’s a role I don’t take lightly. Being able to give back and support other women on their journey is a powerful reminder of how far God has brought me.
I am a friend to other women today. I get to show up for others today. I chair 12 step meetings for different pathways. I am an employee. I am a shift lead at work. I am honest and responsible and kind and loving and accountable today. I am in recovery.
I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without working the RNR steps with my sponsor. RNR has given me a life worth living today. I will forever be grateful for God allowing me to find this program and giving me the chance to fully recover from my past traumas and drug addiction.
