Brenda's Story
I was born into a single parent home with a mother who was an alcoholic and an addict. At the age of seven my mother's actions finally caught up with her and she went to prison. My two sisters and I became foster children. Our first three foster care homes weren't much better than living with our mother. Our fourth foster care home was a different story and when I was twelve; my sisters and I were adopted.
I never quite adjusted to foster care or my new adoptive parents. I was very angry and confused. I hated life, but most of all, I hated myself. I became my mother. I was addicted to methamphetamine. The drug helped to dull the pain; it made me numb to all the hurt, anger and confusion that I no longer knew how to deal with on a daily basis. Like my mother, my actions finally caught up with me. I was arrested and had to go before the Sarpy County Drug Court.
Thankfully, Sarpy County Drug Court was willing to give me a second chance. They introduced me to the Stephen Center. I was able to enter the HERO Program at Stephen Center. I finally started to deal with some of my issues. In the beginning I only dealt with the surface issues. I was too scared to confront the deeper issues. I didn't want to listen to what the counselors had to say. I didn't want to believe that I could never use any mind altering drugs again.
Shortly after getting into the program, I was allowed to leave on a day pass. I relapsed that day and I was discharged from the Stephen Center. The Drug Court put me back in jail. I was upset and angry that I had to go back to jail. I kept asking myself “How did I get here again”. I spent 21 days in the Sarpy County jail where I had a lot of time to think about when and how I went wrong.
While in jail, I contacted the Stephen Center to see if there was any chance I could come back to the HERO Program. Christine came to the jail and talked with me regarding my commitment to staying clean and sober. Luckily for me, I was given a third chance. I was able to come back to the Stephen Center. They had faith in me!
This time I am working on my deeper issues. I know I need to get below the surface issues if I'm really going to kick this habit. I am doing everything that it takes, enduring all of the restrictions and following all the rules. I'm learning that I'm not a bad person. I'm learning to like myself. I have hope for the first time. Stephen Center is helping me get my life back.
I'm happier today that I've been in my entire life. I will soon be 31 years old and a "me" is emerging, a better me, a good person. This is all thanks to the Stephen Center for not giving up on me, having the faith and trust that I could do well. We all make mistakes, but we need to learn from them. I will keep living my life, becoming a better person, all thanks to the Stephen Center.
I will be forever grateful to the Stephen Center, my counselor and the staff, the Stephen Center still has an active roll in my daily life.
