Irma's Story (1998)
It was a ten-year process for me to get to The Haven in 1998. I was discharged from two inpatient treatment programs and spent a year in outpatient treatment. I’d be sober for two years and then relapse. I realized the more I was in and out of treatment, the more bridges I burned. When I came to The Haven, I knew I’d have to do something different.
I used every drug available. I was addicted to heroin, meth, and cocaine. I had been married three times: I call them pharmaceutical unions. My brother and I were abused as kids and that taught me to be an abused wife. My kids were drugged through addiction with me. I still get lots of anger from my son, and he wants no contact with me.
I had been treatment so many times, I knew the language. I could be a model client. Before I was very defiant, but at the Haven I felt safe. I was there for eight months and did not want to leave. I started taking direction from my sponsor, focused on myself, and got honest. My counselor was great and she helped me to start to heal. I’ve been working steadily ever since I left The Haven and I’m active in the recovery community.
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