Client Highlight: Jamie S.
This week, Jamie shared her story of resilience. It’s because of her determination, courage, and hope that she’s here today.
Can you describe the moment when you realized you wanted to start your journey of recovery?
“I feel like there were multiple times I’ve wanted to get sober. When I was a junior in high school, I remember looking up recovery meetings for the first time because I was tired of drinking every day in high school. I 3wa just trying to find somebody who related to me. I didn’t do much with that information and took a break from trying but that was definitely the initial time because my friends were like ‘this isn’t normal’ and I realized it too. The next time I realized I wanted to quit using was when Carrie Fisher died. She did so much for the recovery community and I really look up to her. I felt like I was doing a disservice by using. The third time was after I was already claiming to be clean for almost 2 years and I was just sick of spiraling every single night. I’d write “Path of Wellness” on my arm to remind myself not to use the next day. Then one night when I was writing it, I reached out to my friend and asked them to call me in the morning, and fast forward, here I am.”
What have been some of the most significant challenges you’ve encountered and how have you handled them along the way?
“Definitely losing people I care about and the circumstances surrounding them made them even more challenging. Navigating relationships and dealing with my past internalized homophobia which has had and still has a big impact on my use. I cope with it through therapy, surrounding myself with wonderful people who show me my worth, and regaining interest in old hobbies.”
What Driftless Recovery services have you/do you participate in? What have you found helpful?
“I’ve participated in the SOP program, the Women's Group, and Relapse Prevention. I definitely get a lot out of both individual and group services. Driftless was my first group setting and I didn’t realize how much you can get out of being in a group, like realizing you’re not alone. With individual, I’m glad I’ve kept coming back over 5 years now.”
What are some milestones or achievements you feel proud of?
“Honestly I'm just really proud that I have not given up over the last 2 years, that I’ve kept going with my treatment you know, like it would be really easy to just be like ‘Oh this obviously doesn’t work’ and give up but I just really want to get better and keep coming back.”
What plans/goals do you have for yourself moving forward?
“I'm going to sober living for the next 6 months and after that I just want to focus on my recovery and in some way be able to maintain a lifestyle where I can stay in the recovery community, help people, and create stuff. Yeehaw!”
What would you like to share with those reading this right now?
“I’ve felt hopeless a lot of times and like I was never going to get better and I've been told that. If I keep that thought going in my head, I’m never going to get better. All I have to do is just keep doing the work, keep showing up, and I will stay on the right path. So I would say, don’t give up and just keep surrounding yourself with good people who lift you up and it will get easier.”
