I am a 36 year old single mother of 2 beautiful daughters, 18 and 2.  I have been clean 2 years and could not have done it without the love and support of my family and friends, my community, and the fellowship of the 12 step program that I belong to.  I was addicted to crack, alcohol, opiates, and anything that would get me high enough to get me through the day.  I self medicated a mental illness for many years.  I found myself homeless, in jail on a felony charge, and found out I was pregnant in 2006.  I had been in jail 2 weeks when I found out that I was pregnant.  This was such a blessing.  I knew this was God’s way of telling me that I didn't have to use anymore.  I was only 2 weeks pregnant when I went to jail, and if I had not been in jail I would have continued to use not knowing that I was pregnant because I never had periods.  This was my first awareness that my Higher Power was really in my life and my Spirituality has continued to grow in recovery.  I am blessed today with a home, beautiful children, a grand-baby that's due any day, and I am continuing my education towards becoming a MSW.  I want to work with co-occurring disorders and help others find the empowerment to heal and live in recovery.  I could not have done any of this without the love and support I received from my community, inpatient and outpatient rehab, NA, and continuous therapy for my mental illness.  I am forever grateful for this gift of recovery and want to spread the message of hope.  It is possible through yourself and God.  God Bless all those still out there struggling and all those who have made it to the other side. 

Much Love and Support,
Nichole Way