Terri was a mother of four when she turned to drugs for the first time. “I started using meth at 28, then drinking in my 30s. At 37, I was severely depressed, drinking more and more … my escape was alcohol and it got control of me.” As Terri’s life spiraled, her ex-husband filed for full custody of their children and succeeded. Suddenly, she was alone and terrified. “My kids had seen it all—the filth, abuse and neglect. I was devastated that I’d lost everything, even my children.”
Terri’s mother brought her to Healing House, but Terri was confident she couldn’t fit in. She watched other women at Healing House laugh and talk together at mealtimes and she couldn’t understand their joy when she was in such despair. “Finally, I knew I had to move forward,” she recalls. “I said out loud one day, ‘I’m grateful my children are happy, safe, and healthy, and someone stepped in when I faltered. I need to be grateful.’”
Terri describes her initial detox as painful …even violent. “I didn’t really want to quit using,” she admits. “But I wanted the hope and peace the other women at Healing House had.” As Terri allowed the staff at Healing House to hold her accountable, she took on new responsibilities, including a new job. Soon, her ex-husband asked her to take custody of the children. Healing House made an apartment available to Terri and her kids, so they could heal together. And the biggest surprise was yet to come! “I didn’t realize my recovery was impacting my finances,” she smiles. “In 2017, I was able to buy a house. I’m a homeowner!” Today, Terri serves as the accounts manager for Healing House. “Healing House has been my support through it all,” she says. “I tell women who come here, ‘Don’t give up. Surrender, work on your recovery and give back.’”