Client Highlight: Eliza F.
Can you describe the moment when you realized you wanted to start your journey of recovery?
“My journey started many years ago but when it really stuck with me was when I was at a point where I had tried many different things to get better and nothing was working. My parents intervened and I finally threw my hands up and I said “Okay, I'm ready!” It was a beautiful moment because it's actually the first time that I truly admitted defeat and that I was ready to receive the help I needed.”
What have been some of the most significant challenges you’ve encountered and how have you handled them along the way?
“I think one of the hardest challenges for me was letting go of toxic people and toxic relationships that were hindering me from any growth. Those attachments were very deep and I needed to let them go in order to get better. A challenge that came after that was fully moving on and finding myself while also dating again– finding a partner who was on the same wavelength as me posed a challenge. Dating in general is hard but on top of that being in recovery makes it more difficult.”
Have you discovered new activities or practices that have positively impacted your recovery?
“I think my number one, and it’s been really hard for me to embrace, is positive self affirmations and not relying on others' view of me. I’ve never been one to talk or think of myself really highly, so I’m building my self-esteem. That’s been something that although it’s difficult, I know I can do it. It does positively affect me too; I see now that I’m stronger and I have a say for myself now. Another practice I’ve learned is being able to say no. That’s really hard for me but it’s gotten easier over time. I’m able to take care of myself when I need to because I put myself first. I’m rediscovering myself and I’ve found out how much I just missed getting outside. I love biking, hiking, fishing… having true friends who have the same interests and are in recovery. Those connections hold me accountable to my recovery and my growth and that’s so important.”
What Driftless Recovery services have you/do you participate in? What have you found helpful?
“I have participated in groups at Driftless Recovery, one of them being SOP (Structured Outpatient Program). That’s what I started in the very beginning of what I like to call my ‘second recovery’. I wasn’t really ready in my early 20’s so I came back in the my later 20’s and did SOP. That was when I was actually getting ready to be in recovery and I found that group very helpful because it was the beginning of me coming out of my isolation from addiction. I started to form connections right away with other people in similar situations and some of those people I’m still friends with to this day. I also participated in the Women’s Group here and that was honestly just amazing. I feel like I spent a long time without connection with other women because I isolated so much. Group was really amazing because it’s women uplifting other women and talking openly and freely about anything and everything. It really did give me a sense of strength in being a female in today’s society. I’ve also done individual therapy and that is probably the biggest piece of my journey. You know, they say alcohol is a symptom of something much greater that needs to be unraveled and I think individual therapy helped me unravel and put together all the puzzle pieces of why I have an alcohol addiction and why I would run to alcohol for anything in my life. In individual, we were able to process a pretty severe trauma— I didn’t even realize how significant it was (funny how that works), but in doing so I felt even stronger and more confident in myself. It’s just been truly rewarding to make discoveries with the help of my therapist here.”
What are some milestones or achievements you feel proud of?
“The most important achievements I’ve made would be graduating successfully from several different recovery related programs. In addition to this, I’ve restored my relationships with my family. You know, the younger ones in my family didn’t quite understand what I was going through and I think my recovery is crucial because now I can confidently say I honor commitments to my family. I’m there and when I’m there I’m present and I think that’s by far the greatest gift I could have asked for. There was a lot of time lost and although that’s unfortunate, I just thank God I’m still here and I can still make up for that. Other areas of achievement are related to employment. It’s amazing what can happen in recovery if you set your mind to something. The possibilities are endless in recovery. This life really is just so much better.”
What have you learned about yourself during your time in services?
“I’ve learned so much about myself. I’ve learned that I am a strong woman deep down and before I just couldn’t see that. There were things I was hanging onto that prevented me from becoming the strong woman hiding inside. I’ve learned extensively about boundaries and how important those are. At the end of the day, we all have to take care of ourselves. I’ve learned a lot about codependency and how I am very codependent. There’s more to that than meets the eye and much more than I knew previously. Codependency can affect many things in your life, not just your relationships. Through this, I’ve learned that I’m good enough and I hold the strength– I hold the power over my life and I get to choose who I allow into it and what I do with it.”
What plans/goals do you have for yourself moving forward?
“There’s so many plans I have that I never would have had I not decided to get into my recovery and come to Driftless for help. Since getting sober, I’ve met my partner who’s also in recovery and we’re getting married this year. It’s the greatest, healthiest relationship that I could have ever asked for and I’m so grateful every day that I met him. We’d like to travel, put roots down, have a family that may include children or a bunch of pets. I want to continue to grow my career– that’s a really big one for me. I’m definitely going to continue to stay sober by doing what I need to do in my recovery and hopefully help others in their recovery.”
Final message to the readers:
“To anyone reading this, my message to you is that if you’re in need of help don’t be afraid. If I could ask for help, I think anyone can. I was so determined, I had that ‘I’ve got this on my own, I don’t need anybody, I don’t need therapy, I don’t need my family to tell me what to do’ kind of attitude. & I do believe that the power really does lie with us at the end of the day but I think that power lies with us asking for help and challenging yourself to get the help you need in order to get better. I think the best part about living is that we can make this life whatever we want. Why restrain yourself from living your best life? I know I’m doing that now and before I had no hope of ever doing so. I thought it was completely unreachable. The only reason I got here today was because I threw my hands up and said ‘let’s do this’. We can’t do it alone. Connection is so important, so ask for help. It’s really nice having someone standing beside you, whether that’s a friend, your partner, family, or therapist, just someone who can support you. Making connections was huge for my recovery.”
