My story with addiction began 5 years ago, it took me by surprise due to the harrowing impact it had on my life within such a short amount of time. My trouble started around 6 months before my life turned upside down and my addiction was in full force. I’m not sure how or why I had to face this addiction but all I know is I did and it took absolutely no prisoners on my life and those in it and it still does to so many people of all ages and all walks of life.

I never thought recovery wasn’t possible or that AA was a myth, I just didn’t believe it was ever possible for me. A year ago last month I chose to walk into open door as a last resort before giving up, I sat in that chair, sweating, shaking, full of fear, self hatred and dread for what was to come next but little did I know it would change my life.

The roller coaster of pain and misery I’d been stuck on for 4 years was coming to an end one way or another so I gave recovery my last chance. I walked out of the meeting that day and I felt hope, it wasn’t an immediate fix, it took so much hard work and persistence but it worked, I felt as though I knew immediately that I was in the right place and I had found the people who understood who I was and what I was facing. My recovery has not by any means been smooth sailing but every bump in the road got me to where I am today and I’m so much stronger for it. Im not quite at the point where there’s peace in my mind but there’s peace in my life and there isn’t a price I wouldn’t pay to keep it. My life is full of happiness, joy, excitement for the future and who I’m yet to become.

Recovery for me no longer feels like I’m giving something up but instead, that I’m taking everything back.

Open Door being there that day and opening its arms to me at my weakest and guiding me through something that felt impossible saved my life and it continues to. I couldn’t extend my gratitude enough and running the Great West Run to raise money and support them is only a slither of the debt I owe for giving me my life back and my friends and family their Evie.