Debra

My name is Debora. I'm an alcoholic and my sobriety date is Jan. 6, 2012.

I was born and raised in Lexington Kentucky. My parents have been married for 55 years and gave my brother, sister, and I a great childhood. As a child, I was a very shy and timid and felt I didn't fit in with the other kids. I started using drugs and alcohol at sixteen. I smoked pot first and it made me feel like I could say or do anything. At the time, I didn't smoke it on a regular basis. My friends would throw parties and when I drank I always wanted to get drunk.

I fell in love with my high school sweetheart. He provided me with everything I needed and I always had a good job, car, and anything I could want. In my mid- twenties we started experimenting with harder drugs, and eventually we were holding cocaine parties on the weekends. I decided to get my own place and lost control of my life. I could not pay rent or for my car because all I wanted was cocaine. I would get high before, during, and after work. In my early 40’s, I got into trouble and was put on probation, but I still couldn’t break my habit.

After years of battling drug abuse, prison and jail sentences, and failed rehab attempts, I had a revelation. Sitting on my jail cell bed, I prayed and something changed inside of me. I decided that when I got to rehab again, I would do whatever it took to get my life back together. In 2012, my judge ordered me to rehab and that is how I ended up at Brighton Recovery Center.

In March of 2013, I walked through the doors and finally surrendered. My life finally changed. Those ladies and staff were a blessing. When I felt like I couldn’t do this anymore, they encouraged me. I grew as an individual and, thanks to their suggestion, I started loving myself. As a result, I got my family back. I got my dignity back. For 15 months, I stayed at the Recovery Center working as a peer mentor at the center. I eventually moved to Florence and can finally say I am a good daughter, sister, and friend. I have a good job, my own place, and a vehicle. Most importantly, I love myself and my life today. I have an awesome sponsor and if it wasn’t for God, Brighton Center, and my support system, I wouldn’t be here.