Testimonials

V.B.

8 Years Sober

“Today is the best day of my life. I have been through hell and back. My recovery is very important to me in my life today. 11 yrs ago I was a heavy drinker and drug user. My life was a disaster from domestics to being left in darkness. My family members were no longer helping me because of my addiction. I have left behind what I thought was never going to end. I thought of suicide in my past and letting go because of my past abusive relationships and being incarcerated most of my life. Seeing the inside of prison, jail is no answer for a human being that is addicted to alcohol and drugs. So in life today I look at others whom have a hard time fighting their addiction. And I let these others know there is a way out. Only you know what you want in your life. Know one can do it for you. It comes within deep inside that you learn to want to have a better life. I never knew how easy it was to become addicted until I learned how hard it was to recover from such a hard knock life I put myself through. My addiction and past abusive relationship was ongoing. For 8 years of my life with the father of my 4 children was hell. I was afraid to speak. Didn’t know where to turn or who to trust. I had trust issues, anger, hatred, I wanted to die. But being locked up over and over I got tired of everything. Being homeless living in abandoned buildings no shower get up and hustle for my next blast or drink. That’s all that was on my mind everyday for at least 20 yrs of my dark past. My past is very chilling and to this day im still working on my recovery. I never knew what it was like to have a job, and keep it. But it all has to do with being positive even though you are going through rough days. I would always tell myself in my beginning days of recovery I love myself and I want to stay drug free. I lost my children through social services also and now that I have survived it all my children are all back in my life today. 6 children 3 boys 3 girls and im one proud happy mother. My children gave me hope after talking with them about why they were taken from me. That was the hardest thing I could of accomplished in my sobriety. My children are all grown and I have one grandson and one granddaughter whom I love to the moon and back. I have a purpose in life but I always had a purpose I just made those bad choices. I have never been so happy to know that when I came out of doing 90 days inp. At hoy recovery I asked where I could go to do outpatient treatment which was called Riogrande Outpatient Treatment Center out in Las Vegas N.M. I was still a negative person when I walked into this treatment center. But my counselor was gonna stay working her hardest at saving this drug addict alcoholic. When I first met her I was very negative with her I told myself im just here because I have to be. And I told her I didn’t even like her and would only tell her what she wanted to hear due to being in at least 10 different inp. Treatment centers in my life. I already knew how to persuade people because I was used to it. And also having a female counselor was not my thing. I felt that I could not trust a female counselor that was me. But as days went by sitting in on my group therapy and one on one with my counselor I learned that hey maybe I can start to trust and talk about wht has led me to where im at. So 3 months in after being clean over 6 months I realized that I need to talk and let go of past issues that were hurting me to stay on track. I never knew how to speak for myself. I was always staying quiet and wouldn’t speak for myself. But hearing others that were in group therapy also made me feel comfortable little by little to talk about past issues that I could never talk about. Long story short I have been with Riogrande for 8yrs now and stil in my sobriety. Riogrande has helped me physically mentally and I will always be grateful for this program. My life is all about helping other now and knowing that I was once in that position and am willing to help someone who is wanting to help themselves. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart everyone who was here for me at my lowest. And Riogrande Intensive Outpatient Drug and Alcohol program for teaching me the best and learning from such wonderful staff, counselors. Sincerely, Yours truly recovering addict alcoholic V.B. “