I could easily engage with people without regard for their sordid history and help them work through their own thoughts. This led me to career in substance abuse counseling. I graduated at the age of 22 with an Associate’s Degree in AODA Counseling and immediately began working in a residential treatment facility.
I spent the next 9 years of my life working …show more content…
The chronic alcoholics and addicts remained on my caseload, but a new variety of clients referred due to drunk driving offense, underage drinking, or low level drug offenses lightened the load. This environment also let me expand my skills into program administration and development. I was given the opportunity to develop a women’s specific treatment group and administer a presentencing program for Operating While Intoxicated offenders. I was doing very well for a 24 year …show more content…
I knew that a partner was most likely to become violent after the relationship ended, and I already saw the signs it was heading that way in the months prior to my separation. But I did it anyway, which was my first act of courage.
When I left it was messy, as I anticipated it might be, but that’s where knowing your barriers and resources comes in handy. From my experience helping others I was able to help myself and tap into resources that were available for people in my situation. I ended up leaving my ‘dream’ job and living in my mom’s basement for almost a year, but I made it. It’s been a journey to remember and it has taught me that I can survive, I can learn, and I can adapt.
I continued my courageous year by returning to the land of residential treatment. It was not how I remembered. The once stringent guidelines regarding high risk offenders had softened as the treatment became more and more corrections based, as state funded insurance does not cover this level of care. I was grateful for the work and I knew how unique and privileged I was to be able to impact the lives of those who are in the most need in our community. However, I wasn’t the woman I once was; my life, of course, had changed