My story of hope and recovery is … Everyday was tears and worries. Everyday was waking up in the morning and throwing up looking for my next fix. Everyday was fighting with people I love and wondering where I am going to move to next. My mind was chaotic and crazy and I thought my life was going to stay the same forever. Although I enjoyed the parties and being on the go all the time, my mental and physical state couldn’t handle it any longer. I was in a lot of fear but decided I needed to step out of my comfort zone. Crossing the bridge from one life to another was one of the scariest things, leaving my home, family, friends behind…the drugs the parties wasn’t something I was used to. I came to rehab not expecting to stay very long but two months and three days later I have never been more happy to say that I am clean and sober. I don’t get sick anymore, I’ve been gaining weight that I had lost, I got out of my shitty environment. I got my family back and I am on my way to graduating high school and applying for post-secondary. I have never pictured my life to be like this or to be able to make the change I did. Having HOPE saved my life, I’ve accomplished a lot with my new skills and changed my whole perspective and now because of that I am looking at my hopes for when I get out of treatment and continue to improve my life.

My story of hope and recovery is …

My hope is that when I get home I can stay home and stay clean. I want to be able to keep my friends but not use.

For my recovery I want to keep happiness in my house and no more arguing/fighting, with everyone getting along.

My story of hope and recovery …

Being here at Hope Valley treatment Center and working hard to create a new life for myself. Taking it one day at a time, feeling better and becoming more motivated everyday. I may miss my family but I know if I wasn’t sober I wouldn’t be spending my time with my family anyway. I am excited and hopeful to get out and lead a healthy and happy life.

My story of hope and recovery is ….

Given to me by the unbelievable resilience of people.

Every day I am reminded that there seems to be no end to the strength of some people.

They get knocked down, but come back every time.

My story of hope and recovery is … related to the Take Home Naloxone Kits.

I read an evaluation from the BC Program and it provided such hope. Not only are the people getting a Kit to take care of their own health and life; they are empowered by being able to save someone else’s life.

And isn’t that what it is all about?… Taking care of each other!

My story of hope and recovery is ….

Seen in the commitment of a special colleague.

There are many discouraging challenges in our daily work (scheduling issues, unrealistic expectations, too many changes and too much paperwork).

And yet, she never loses sight of the big picture. She keeps her eye on the real meaning and purpose of our work. This gives me hope every day.

My story of hope and recovery is … inspired by the people that I meet:

I recall a client who addressed significant mental health challenges by attending therapy and starting medication. He gave up drinking and expressed such GRATITUDE for his new life and the supports that he received. He stayed sober, reunited with family, got his finances in order and went back to school. He was so POSITIVE!

His ATTITUDE was infectious, helping me to also adopt a much more positive attitude in my own life.

My story of hope and recovery …

I feel hopeful through recovery practice because it allows me to learn so much from my clients. When I hear their stories and see their strength as they conquer their challenges, I feel inspired. Working from a strengths-based perspective allows me to recognize the power my clients have within themselves. Through this work, I can help them recognize the same, and help them to empower themselves to make changes in their own lives. It is a privilege to stand beside our clients and to learn what true humanity is so we can work to give that back to them.

My story of hope and recovery is …. Simple.  It’s having the opportunity to be present on the journey with someone and helping them see the light within themselves to get them through the darkness.

Providing individuals with clean supplies from the SWAP program has opened the door to help support them on their journey of recovery.  It removes the shame and provides these individuals with person-focused care, hope and empowerment…their voice is heard and we listen.

I have suffered from an eating disorder for the past twenty years and have been in recovery for five. I am happily married with two wonderful little boys and I can’t imagine my life without them. To think that my life could have been so different if I had given into my eating disorder makes me appreciate what I have and how hard I have fought for this life so much more. Life is so much better now and I live every day to the fullest. It still takes a lot of hard work, determination, and strength but it is possible and it is so worth It!!

I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do. ~Unknown.

I remember the first time I received peer support. I was feeling alone, like nobody in the universe could ever understand how I was feeling because frankly, I didn’t understand it myself. Sitting with someone who truly understood what I was experiencing, who didn’t judge me for my irrational thinking. To learn that someone had experienced exactly what I was now experiencing, yet they had come through the other side – what a sense of relief. Years later, I am so extremely fortunate to be in a place in my own recovery to provide that same experience to others – to say that you are NOT alone and that you WILL get through this. If I could do it, you can do it too. Recovery IS possible.

Count your garden by the flowers,

Never by the leaves that fall.

Count your days by golden hours,

Don’t remember clouds at all.

Count your nights by stars not shadows,

Count your life with smiles, not tears

Count your blessings not your troubles,

Count your age by friends not years. ~Unknown.

Living with mental illness has been difficult and I could write at length about the journey. Even today, there are still challenges and flare-ups as with any illness. However, education, self-management, coping mechanisms, and the right professional support make this seemingly impossible journey become possible! Having experienced the lows, I can tell you that if you remain positive that you too will overcome all obstacles and achieve whatever goals you set for yourself. Learn to thrive despite the illness and achieve a positive work-life balance.

If you change nothing, nothing will change. ~Unknown.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it. ~Nelson Mandela

We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us; ~Joseph Campbell

Be confident. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others & wishing to be something we aren’t. Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses and it is only when you accept everything you are and everything you aren’t that you will truly succeed in life. ~Ritu Ghatourey

Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all. ~ Bill Clinton

HOPE: Hold On, Pain Ends.