Carmen's story
Carmen's story
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
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