Select a picture below to read a recovery story:

April

Hello, my name is April; and I am a recovery ally. I have a loved one who is a person in long term recovery. Living with a loved one who struggles with the disease of addiction is a difficult journey. I knew little about the disease of addiction and only aware of the “stigma” that haunts it. The more I saw my loved one struggle with the disease; the more I wanted to help, and I didn’t know where to start. I found myself consumed by the effects of the disease. The disease of addiction brought chaos, sadness, and fear into my home. I began to lose sight of hope. When my loved one made the decision to accept the resources available to take back his life from the stronghold of addiction, I wanted to learn how the disease affected my loved one. I began to join meetings for family members of addiction. I read books about the disease of addiction. As he focused on his recovery and worked his program, I began to work my program to bring recovery to our home. Together we both continue to work our programs, we go to counseling together, and the hope of recovery has brought life back into our home. To family members who are struggling with the disease of addiction, don’t lose hope. Sometimes the disease may cause us to love and support our loved ones from a distance and that is okay, but you continue to offer that love and support and be there when your loved one is ready. *He gave me permission to share our photo*

Becca

Hey! I'm Becca. I'm an addict. April 8, 2017, was the last time I put any mind or mood altering substance in my body. The next day, I was arrested for the last time of what seemed like a never ending viscous cycle. I was ashamed, angry, disappointed, discouraged, miserable, hopeless, tired, lost, and broken. I felt defeated. Little did I know, this was all part of God's plan for me. The judge mandated me to rehab and said, “I hope this is a blessing in disguise for you”. I couldn't see how. Fast forward to the present and I know it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I've seen miracles and answered prayers along the way. When I decided to let go of what was holding me back, God filled my life with things that would help me grow. I completed rehab in 2018, and made the choice to stay in Dublin, rather than go back home to Augusta. It has been nothing less than a blessing ever since. Today I have so much to be thankful for: a supportive family, a sponsor, sponsees, a huge network of amazing people I love to death, accountability and independence, a place to call home, a great job, and so much more. Today I have peace and a relationship with my Higher Power! He leads the way, if I let him willingly, and there's a lot less bumps in the road...if not, there's some lesson I need to learn, and God knows, the only way my hard head would learn, is with a few bumps in the road! Tomorrow, God willing, I will celebrate! Thanks to God's never-ending grace, love and mercy. He sent out an army for me, so we could be an army for you!

Calvin

September is Recovery month! Hi, I am Calvin, a person in long term recovery. I speak out about my recovery because it has made me a better man, friend, son, father and grandfather, co-worker and employee. I haven't had the desire to go back to that life since 18 May 2006. What helped and is still helping me is support groups, a network of people in recovery and church family, other organizations that I'm a member of, and my family. The most important thing that keeps me on this road to recovery is my grandson Americus who was born with kidney failure. I see his courage and that helps me find strength.

Chris

My name is Chris, I am a person in long term recovery. I was a street bum living at animalistic levels until I found recovery. Life is not easy but it is way better than it was in active addiction. My family thought I was dead but now I live free...thanks to everyone that helped me in my journey...we do recover!

Jenn

Hi, my name is Jenn and I’m a recovering addict. I was in active addiction for 18 Years. I never felt adequate. Like I wasn’t as pretty or as smart as everyone else. It started out with recreational use because everyone else did it. I soon realized that the drugs and alcohol gave me the confidence I needed to come out of my shell or to not care what anyone thought. It soon became an everyday thing. That turned into years of broken dreams and burned bridges. Along with the drug use I suffered lots of emotion, mental, and physical abuse. No matter how many times I tried to get clean and turn things around, I would always go back to using to help me deal with all the guilt, shame and pain. I hurt lots of people and caused chaos everywhere I went.I was literally on death’s door when God intervened. I was mandated to an amazing recovery facility where He placed people in my life that showed me His love and what a life in recovery looked like and could be. I was introduced to the rooms of NA/AA and learned how to start building a relationship with my Higher Power. My clean date is September 2018. I can wake up today without feeling hopeless and miserable. I am a responsible member of society. I am employable today and can actually pay my own bills. I have my own home. I don’t have to worry about where I’m going to sleep or how I’m going to eat. I know these things sound normal but to an addict like me they are a huge deal. I have a great network full of others in recovery that are not only my friends but my chosen family.There are restorations being made in my God given family as well. I’m actually able to be enjoy them and be a good daughter, sister, and aunt. The things that I was incapable of doing before. They no longer have to worry about getting a phone call from jail because I’ve been arrested or from the hospital because I’ve overdosed again. I’ve learned how to be honest and accountable for my actions. I can set boundaries and have healthy relationships now. My recovery is everything to me. I’m happy, healthy, and peaceful. It’s not always easy. Getting clean was the hardest thing I ever did and staying clean is a full time job. However I wouldn’t trade being clean or my journey to get to where I am for anything. It’s made me the strong woman I am today and for that I’m extremely grateful!!

Kristi Guthrie

My name is Kristi Guthrie and I am a person in long term recovery. Oct 13, 2020 will be two years clean for me. My DOC was Meth and Roxie's. I started meth at the age of 18. I am 47 now. For years I told myself I could control it, until it went from weekends, to days of week, to every day. I went from snorting to smoking to shooting up. I lost everything a couple years ago from my house, two vehicles, my kids, my life. I wanted to die. I was arrested, was 10-13 in hospital, spent 15 grand, gambling, doing things I'm not proud of. Today I have gained so much back and more. A house, a stable job, both my kids back, and the love and support of my family, friends, and fellowship. I never want to go back to the ugly of before. Today I thank God Almighty for pulling me out of the depths of Hell. I came from abusive past, trauma, and the dope numbed all the pain till I got rock bottom and realized I could hit no lower. What keeps me going and clean and free today is #1. I ask myself What's it worth to my Recovery? #2 I NEVER EVER want to be a Picture upon the NA walls of ones who thought they had one more hit, one more relapse in them. Today I am filled with freedom and God has blessed me with so much more in life than I ever knew.

Laura

My name is Laura and I'm a grateful recovering addict. My clean date is 1/9/18. I started drinking at 15 and using harder substances at 18. I was broken spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. I was an empty shell of a woman just existing. The only goal I had was to get that next fix. During a moment of desperation, I cried to my family and said I need help and that I can't live like this anymore. A few days after that I went to Promise of Hope rehab where my old journey died and a new one began. They loved me until I could love myself, which was a slow process for me. Now I have a relationship with God, an awesome job, great network and sponsor, healthy relationships with friends and family, and I'm happy, joyous, and free! WE DO RECOVER. Thanks for letting me share just a fraction of my story.

Pamela Ranke

Hello My name is Pamela Ranke and I am no longer an addict ! I am a new creation in Christ Jesus! Who the Son sets free is free Indeed. After being hooked on meth from 13 to around 19. First drug charge was 17 possessions of meth. Got pregnant at 19 and thought life was going to be grand ! Little did I know that I would be addicted to opioids for the next 7 years ! I lost everything and would do anything to make sure I had what I needed. After 9 times of detox, 2 more times in jail and almost overdosing on Fentanyl, in my dads bathroom one night, I decided to go to the methadone clinic. I did everything they said, everything the right way, was weaned off and woke up craving four days later. Feeling lost, hopeless, broken and angry I got in my car going 95 down the road picking which tree to slam myself into. At that moment, my last thought was to cry out to God (who I wasn’t sure if I believed in). I asked him to show me how real He was or I was taking myself out. That day on the side of the road, deliverance happened in my life. God’s spirit came into my life and I never picked up pain pills to get high again. Over the next year and a half I found an amazing church of people who loved me and taught me about Jesus. After 10 years coming up free in November of 2020, I’m still walking and serving God to the best of my ability ! He has blessed me in so many ways that I could write a book! Praise God He brought me out and showed me purpose!

Penny Foskey

My name is Penny Foskey and I am a person in long term recovery. What that means to me is it's been since 4/17/2009 that I've found it necessary to use alcohol/drugs. Recovery has afforded me to be a better Mother, wife, daughter, sister and a friend. I'm no longer homeless, jobless, or performing criminal acts. I have been blessed to work with others who have found themselves struggling with addiction and mental health. God gave me the vision of a ministry to help others. The life I live today is no comparison to the life I once lived. My clean date is 04/17/09. I am the evidence that recovery works. I'm so grateful that I get to live my recovery out loud. If I can do this, you can too.

Tina Clements

September is National Recovery Month - for me it’s also the month that holds two special dates. My recovery birthday and our wedding anniversary. Wow how did that happen? It happened because I am a person in long term recovery, what that means for me is that Lord willing it will be 22 years, Sept 28, since I have used any mood altering substance to change how I feel or to not feel at all. Because of my recovery I am afforded the ability to be a good wife - not perfect but good. I am a mother and again not a perfect one but a responsible one; now as far as being a Nana, I am the best ! I have worked at the same agency for 28 years. I have a home, car, bed, food, and so many more privileges than I deserve. I am the founder of RISEUP, an Addiction Recovery Support Center in Dublin, Ga! I am an advocate for others to help bridge a gap from addiction to connection. So this is how I have been fortunate enough to be married to this guy for 20 years. Marriage is about the actions we take on a daily basis to sustain our marriage. -Tina Clements
I love you Lonny Ray!

RISEUP

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