A FACE OF HOPE

My Mom and Dad started smoking crack with me when I was twelve years old.

I grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. My Mom and Dad are addicts. My Mom and Dad started smoking crack with me when I was twelve years old. By thirteen years old I was smoking crack daily and from then on, I had gotten clean a few times. I got married at seventeen, my husband and I at the time smoked. I had three beautiful children. My in-laws were great and were always there for my kids when we were getting high.

In 2006, I got sentenced 1-3 years for credit card fraud. I did the shock program, Willard Drug Treatment Campus, and went to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for a while and continued smoking on and off. In 2013, I went to Amethyst House, a Staten Island-based home for women in recovery, which was amazing. I met Vinny G, my husband who is amazing, my best friend, and my everything. And I met my mother-in-law Linda, whom I considered my mom who has been there for me and never turned her back on me. In 2016, I had spine surgery and started taking pills that led to heroin and wow. Before I knew it, I had a needle in my arm, and it got very bad.

Finally, I had it. I went to South Beach Rehab which was awesome thanks to Kathi, Nour, John, and Melissa.

They helped me so much, never gave up on me, and showed me I was worth it. I will never forget them. It was because of the four of them that I have an amazing life today. I took a couple of online classes and am working full time at Next Step, and I show up. They are so amazing.

My husband Vinny never gave up on me and is always on my side no matter what. I am so grateful for my husband and mom, Linda. I am lucky to have family that didn’t give up on me. It’s great to be clean, I have people who count on me, and I can always be there for them and show up when I am needed. Clean life is so great, I wouldn’t give it up for anything. If I was using, I wouldn’t be able to do these things.

When I can, I go to South Beach to speak and help other addicts understand that if I can do it, anyone can. It’s wonderful to wake up everyday for work and not need a bag to get up. My worries when I get up now are what should I wear.

Thank you, South Beach and Next Step, for giving me a chance at a great job that I love with awesome people that treat me well.