Ricardo's Recovery Story

    My first involvement with Transitions came when I went to treatment at Droege House. Being there was my first introduction to the treatment side of recovery. Being there taught me a lot about the disease of alcohol and drug addiction. It also taught me a lot about myself. Being at Droege House, laid out a direction and foundation for me--a new way of life without the use of drugs and alcohol, and for that, I am truly grateful. It also allowed me to accept who I am today which was growth for me, period. I am more at peace with myself today, due to the experience I had at Droege House. It was truly an amazing experience.

Moving on from the Droege House to the Oxford House Group home has also been a growth experience. This has allowed me to learn how to live life on life's terms in a recovering atmosphere. This experience has allowed me to learn how to live with others in a transitional way of life. This has allowed me to take baby steps back into society. This has made me be a more productive member of society.

    I have been working on the same job for three years. I am also learning how to work with others that want recovery. And if there is anything I can say to Transitions, it is thank you for giving me the opportunity to change my life.

   

Vickie's Story

    Hi! My name is Vickie. I am a single mother of 5 and a grandmother. I'm 50 years old now. I started out going to the doctor for pain that I had from a car accident. I would get a prescription for pain pills every two weeks. I went from light pain pills to very heavy pain pills. I did this for many years.

    Then the doctors stopped writing prescriptions for me, and I had to find another way to get the pills. So I started stealing. I lost everything: my job, my home, and my husband. It got to the point that I had to have the needed help, but I didn't think that.

    I went from pills to crack cocaine, which I would smoke from morning to night. I was homeless and was sent to jail, looking at 5 years!
   
    Because of drug court, I had to do 9 months in an I.O.P (Intensive Outpatient Program) in Newport at North Key. Man, at the time, I hated that, going to class from 10 to 11:30 a.m. 4 days a week. I hated it because I was a night person, staying up all night and sleeping through the day. But I did it; I went to the I.O.P. every morning for 9 months. I also had to do my meetings, AA and Na, and talk with my counselor once a week. Doing all of these things, I successfully completed the I.O.P That was the best thing for me.
   
     After completing the I.O.P., I found myself homeless, but I was able to move into Willow Run, Transitions housing. The case managers here at Transitions are the best. They know what I have gong through, they help me make sure I get to my meeting every day, have house meetings and let me do my community service for them. It has everything I need to live, everything is furnished and it is great. I can talk to anyone at Willow Run about anything and everything, and I know they will help me out.!

    I know now that I did need help. I never ever thought I would see 50, but I'm here, thinks to my Higher Power, Drug Court, North Key's Intensive Outpatient Program, Transitions, NA and AA.

    I have never lived by myself! Now I can, and I love my life! I'm very happy n my recovery. I never thought it would work, but believe me it did. I've been clean for nineteen months!