I was admitted to Grace House in January 2000, with an addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol. I was 44 years old with two children. I’d lost a very good job, my self-esteem and my will to live.

The first thing I recognized when I walked inside of Grace House was the warm feeling I got. I immediately knew I had a chance of living. I was very hurt, angry and tired. My life was not getting any better and I couldn’t stop using drugs and drinking alcohol.

I must say Grace House has the key that opened up my closed mind and heart. Grace House has a wonderful recovery program and counseling staff. They gave me what they call the tools of recovery. I went through some crying and trying times at Grace House. I was able to dig deep into my inner feelings by writing and sharing in group sessions, things that I’ve never talked about. Things that were causing all the hurt and pain I had all my life.

An understanding of my child, teen and adult behaviors. Prayer, meditation and the 12-steps are highly emphasized on a daily basis. Grace House is a long-term treatment facility. There is extensive therapy the first 3 months. This is where you’re told don’t leave before the miracle happens.

I was determined at this point to live. I made progress and was moved to the half-way house program. The half-way program begins a new and positive drug-free way of living. The is a new way of living. Even though I had good jobs in the past I was not drug free.

During 4 to 6 months, there is a requirement to either start job hunting, or enroll in school. I started job hunting and was hired by the City of Memphis, as a temporary employee. I began as a Secretary-Level C. I have now been promoted to a Secretary-Level-A in Administrative Assistant position.

I thank God and Grace House for my new life. This is a new way of living that I now enjoy, without the use of drugs and alcohol. I really don’t believe there is an enjoyable life with drugs and alcohol, and I don’t ever want to try it again, this I do know.

Today I have 5 years, clean time. I am a part-time student at Christian Brothers University, working my recovery program and enjoying my church activities. This would not all be possible without the help of Grace House.

I was homeless, eating at soup kitchens or wherever I could get a meal. I slept in an alley on a piece of cardboard, with another on top to cover me up. I knew in my heart that I wanted to be free from crack cocaine, but in my head I was lost.

My higher power led me to Grace House. I truly understand that now. With counseling, I learned about my addiction. Everything that had seemed so hard for me for years became very simple.

Today and every day, I depend on my higher power for guidance. Everything seems to turn out just the way it should.

When I came to Grace House, I had plenty of experience, but no strength or hope. I lived to drink and drank to live. I could not imagine my life without alcohol and drugs. I functioned for many years with the aid of these things, but the time came when they stopped working.

At this point, my life became more unmanageable, I hated myself and what I had become and there was no hope. I didn’t care if I lived or died because I believed there was no way out. I involved so many people in my disease and hurt them in so many ways. Lying, cheating, stealing and manipulating were my normal behavior.

I reached the point I could face no one or stand to look at myself. I arrived at Grace House totally bankrupt spiritually, emotionally and physically. They took me in and my journey began. The staff showed more love, patience and understanding than I knew existed. The fear, panic and tears were a daily thing and I had no faith that I could make it. The staff believed for me, and never gave up. They were never too busy to listen and understand.

I was able to become teachable with time, and start the work I needed to find myself. I began to understand my disease, find a Higher Power that I could believe in, face the truth and deal with the past. The truth hurt and the emotional pain was overwhelming at times, but I knew I was safe and they always assured me that they were there and I would be okay. I was taught self-forgiveness, trust and what honesty is. I learned it is okay feel and be who I am. I have been given a way out and solution.

Grace House and staff gave me another chance at life, and taught me how to live without alcohol and drugs. They also gave me a new family that will always be there give me the love and support to fight my disease. I will always have a safe and loving place to call home and feel accepted for who I am.