Reasons for Living

“…From the time I drank that first beer I felt like I didn’t have to deal with what was really going on in my life…” Rebecca (44)

Rebecca (44) had her first beer on the day before her 13th birthday—the day her father died. That beer was the beginning of a long journey of substance abuse, recovery and relapse.

Rebecca found that alcohol “made everything disappear, and I could do, act and be what ever I wanted.” But soon, alcohol led to illegal drugs, which also led to arrests, blackouts and family problems.

By her early 20’s, Rebecca was hooked on heroin and pregnant. She finally sought help and entered residential treatment. After graduation, she got her own apartment, gave birth to her son and, a year later, she met her husband.

But when her marriage turned abusive, she relapsed. Six years of abuse led her back to addiction treatment and to seek help for battered women—both of which saved her life.

Five years and two children later, Rebecca relapsed again—this time costing her her home, her career, her family and “most important, myself.”

Three years ago, Rebecca re-entered treatment at CAB’s outpatient clinic, where she now attends once-a-week counseling. “Somehow, I have managed to pull through, and I am grateful that I was am able to come to counseling once a week and spill my guts, and not feel judged and get the help I need.”
 

*The names and photos have been altered to protect confidentiality, but these are true stories and direct quotes.