Carmen’s story

My name is Carmen, I am 47 years old the mother of two sons and three grandkids, I am a recovering addict.

I started using pot when I was just 11 years old and things progressed from there. At the age of 17 I was already 

snorting cocaine, which by the way was my drug of choice. I hid my addiction well for many years, I was what 

they call a ' functioning addict'- I went to work, I sent the kids to school, I hid it from the family for a very long time,

but one day I started feeling depressed and tried to commit suicide, they left me in the hospital for 15 days- they

diagnosed me with depression. When I came home I continued to use cocaine and took my medication but 

it happened again, I tried to commit suicide various times until I was rightly diagnosed as bi-polar and they

sent me to a program who dealt with persons with dual diagnosis, my mental health issues and my drug 

addiction.This program saved my life because there I learned the skills and the tools I needed to deal with

my addiction and my mental health issues, they were excellent and for them I am very grateful. Now I am 

3 1/2 years clean and sober, have my family back trusting in me, going for my Associates Degree, have 

sober friends and have a much better, happier life. I still have problems just like everyone else does I just 

don't turn to mind altering chemicals to solve my problems anymore. I deal with my problems as they come 

and try to come up with the best solutions possible and I still take it one day at a time, because yesterday 

is gone you can't do anything about that and tomorrow you don't know what that may bring, so just live for

today and take it one day at a time. I feel for once I can truly say that I am happy and I could not say that 

before. Life is better for me now and for that I am thankful