Where Are They Now – Chelsea
“My name is Chelsea and I am a grateful, recovering alcoholic/ addict. My sobriety date is June 10, 2019. This journey was not easy by any means and I did not do this alone. I have learned so much about myself. I have learned to forgive myself. Most importantly I learned to love myself and be the best mother I can be! I realized, I can never forget where I came from, what I’ve been through, and where I am today so let’s go back, back to the start of my sobriety.
My drinking and drug use got worse and worse over time. I was getting into trouble with the law. I got an OUI. My license was the last thing I had lost. I lost everything I have ever loved, including my son. My family stopped speaking with me because I changed. I hurt people along the way. I was put on probation that I violated three times. The judge sent me to Middleton Jail detox on June 10, 2019. Let me tell you, that was the longest 42 1/2 days of my life. I started a trial while I was at Middleton. The trial was for my son to be put up for adoption. I had no hope left. I was dead inside. I needed a miracle.
My higher power worked in mysterious ways. On July 23, 2019, my life forever changed. That’s the day I entered Megan‘s House in Lowell, Massachusetts. I had to complete the six-month program for probation. Six months seemed like a long time. I knew I was in the right place and god did this for me. I didn’t know this house was going to save my life, but it did! This was the hardest, most challenging journey I have ever accomplished in my life. I never gave up even when I really wanted to. While I was there, I went through an ongoing trial, fighting for my son. In this trial I was forced to talk about the abuse I had gone through and had to face all the damage I was put through. Megan’s House showed me how to be mentally prepared for the outcome and also showed me the support that I needed. They fought with me and stayed on my side through it all.
When I first got to Megan’s
House the goal was adoption and somewhere along this road things changed. As of today, the trial is still going on and my son is now reunified with me. I thank Megan’s House for forever changing my life. I gave this program my 110%. While I was there, I made friendships that will last a lifetime. Every time I came home I had the best support. I will always call Megan’s House home because for the first time in forever I knew this is what home was supposed to feel like. The staff generally cares, and it shows. I was only supposed to stay 6 months, but I stayed longer. I didn’t ever want to leave! I graduated April 27th 2020. I still call Megan’s House today, whether it’s for advice, just to cry or talk, or even call to thank them.
Today, my Boyfriend and I renewed our lease. We have a two bedroom apartment and my son lives with us and we are also expecting a baby boy in July 2021. I have an amazing sponsor who is also a former graduate of Megan’s House. I work the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, I am currently the Treasurer for one of my home groups. I continue to help a newcomer. I graduated a parenting class. I completed my 24-D program to get my license back. I have saved money. I am so blessed my step-father and my best friend of over 20 years has started speaking with me again. I just found my mom after a couple years of looking for her. In November 2020 I became a Recovery Coach so I can help others battling addiction. I learned to find myself again and take responsibility for my own actions. I learned to reach out and communicate and not to be scared to ask for help. I learned to have a set schedule. I learned to have fun while sober. I learned I can show up and be present. Most importantly I learned and can continue learning to be the mother I always wanted to be for my sons. This is all because I never once gave up on myself. I made friendships and amazing memories that will last forever.
If you’re struggling give yourself the chance to find a better you and don’t give up hope because the gifts of sobriety are incredible. As a former graduate of Megan’s House; give yourself the chance you deserve!”