A lifetime of using drugs led me to start dealing and eventually ten years of incarceration. For more than two decades, my life revolved around these destructive cycles. 

WHY RECOVERY COACHING?

Recovery coaching is one of the best things that happened to me. I found sobriety through some court-ordered programs, but I was not actually growing beyond that. I didn’t learn how to deal with challenges in my life. My recovery coach became someone I could open up with, who knew what it was like to go through what I had.  Since they had a similar journey, I could actually see that it’s possible to build a fulfilling life through recovery, and not just stay stuck. 

I was in a desperate spot: in a stuck in a violent relationship, addicted, suicidal, pregnant. My brother had just gone missing. I reached out for help and prayed a desperate prayer. The help arrived in an unexpected way, but it brought me to a place where I could be safe and get care. 

FROM INCARCERATION TO HOPE

With ten years of incarceration, and twenty-five years of using drugs, I did not have much hope for my future. I was in a desperate spot: in a stuck in a violent relationship, addicted, suicidal, pregnant. My brother had just gone missing. I reached out for help and prayed a desperate prayer. The help arrived in an unexpected way, but it brought me to a place where I could be safe and get care. 

WHERE JENI IS NOW

Talking with mental health professionals, counseling, and a spiritual journey were all part of my process. Today, I am proud and happy that I can stand on my own two feet. I never knew how fulfilling it could be simply to have my own place, food, clothes that I’ve worked for. I always thought my life would be one of jails and drug-dealing. 

In sobriety, I actually felt stuck for a while because I didn’t know how to grow or deal with things. I started to enjoy the benefits of recovery when I started working with a coach, someone who could come alongside and walk with me through the process. It has been so freeing and healing to talk about my story. 

REDISCOVERING JOY

I’ve been surprised and amazed at how I’ve been able to help others through the process; it brings me a lot of joy. Recently, my story got featured in a CDC campaign that aims to inspire people to get help. I strongly believe in a non-judgmental approach, to help people get help no matter their background. I got to walk that out personally when I helped the sister of the man that killed my brother in her own recovery. That has been one of the most significant moments of my journey.