In Recovery Since 3/22/2018

Hi, I’m Carol, and I am a person in long term recovery. What that looks like for me is I have not used substances or drank alcohol for 4 1/2 years. The Dept. of Family Services placed my children into foster care and that was the last day I used. I went from using intravenously multiple times a day, to having 24 hours without using. I lived in my car or at the homeless shelter and started my recovery journey. I worked my program, successfully completed 30-day inpatient at the McCambridge Center in Columbia, MO. I successfully completed my outpatient treatment through Recovery Lighthouse in Warrensburg, MO. My children came home after 8 months of living in foster care. Today I have a home group for my Narcotics Anonymous meetings and serve as the Secretary. I have a sponsor and am a sponsor to 13 women. I am a mother to 6 children and am a wife. I obtained my GED and will graduate in May of 2023 with my Associate degree in Social Work at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, MO.  I have myself back, and I honestly today can say I love who I am today. I have gone to 3 Recovery Advocacy Day’s at the State Capital and a huge advocate in my community for recovery. I have spoken at several events sharing the message that any person struggling can always reach out to me and they can find sobriety. I have been employed with Recovery Lighthouse in Sedalia, MO for 3 1/2 years as a Certified Peer Specialist. What that means is I get to help people out of the trenches. I get the privilege of showing people that you can turn it all around and have a life more than they could ever imagine. That they are worth it and that I believe in them.  If I can do it anyone can. Hell does have an exit and I can show you the way out.