Guest Contributor – Kalli S. Phoenix, AZ
Hello, my name is Kalli and I am in recovery from fentanyl and meth.
Hopeless is the word that comes to mind when I think back to when I was in active addiction. I hated myself and who I had become. I lied, I stole, I hurt my family, and I crossed lines I told myself I would never cross.
Nothing mattered to me except my next high. I was so selfish.
Hitting Rock Bottom
It wasn’t until I lost my kids that I really lost all will to live, and I put myself in some pretty dangerous situations. I began selling myself. The trauma from that just fueled my addiction even more. I wasn’t going to stop unless I was stopped.
Thankfully, that day came when my brother called the cops on me and I got arrested.
I had been in and out of jail several times before, and I would mean it with all my heart and soul when I said I wouldn’t use, but I was always high within an hour of getting released.
The Turning Point
The difference this time is my brother was there to pick me up. He basically said, “I’m not leaving you until you get help.”
He took me to a place called New Freedom where the healing process began. I began working out, meditating, and rebuilding relationships with my family.
A New Life
I now work at a behavioral health center where I can help people going through similar situations. I wake up every morning genuinely excited to see what the day has to offer. And when life is difficult, I utilize the coping skills I’ve learned to manage those emotions.
My hope in sharing my story is to shine some hope for the hopeless. If you are struggling with addiction, just know that you are LOVED and it IS possible to make a new life for yourself.
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