Carmen's story (1985)

I didn’t want to go to The Haven. I thought that they were a bunch of low lives and criminals and I’d never fit in. But I found out that they liked me there, so I stayed. I learned a lot of things at The Haven. I learned I am strong enough to handle the stress in my life without using alcohol or drugs. I learned that I need to work on my recovery every day. I learned I could get high on life and have sober fun. I learned when it was dangerous for me to be alone, and to reach out to others for help through the rough times. I learned I need to remember who I am.  

The first two years following treatment were the hardest. I attended daily meetings and AA got me through. It is so hard because you have to break those old habits and replace them with new, good ones.