Gina’s Story
“I was in active addiction since I was 13. I started doing heroin and continued using until I was 33.”
Gina is outgoing; hence, her soul shines through her eyes. Without hearing her story, you would never understand the trials and tribulations she endured to make it to where she is today.
“In 2005, I was out getting high and fell 20 feet and broke my back and my wrist, but I stayed out. I was only 70 pounds at that point. My family had to prepare my funeral. I told my mom I was going to die from this disease, that it was my destiny.
“In addiction, you live in the past of what it was like when you were a kid, standing on the corner drinking 40s or hanging out in the bar. It’s the only disease that convinces you that you don’t have a disease. It’s cunning, baffling, and powerful.”
Like too many people, substance use disorder had taken over Gina’s life – that is, until one day when she found the inner strength to ask for help.
“I was hanging out in Kensington in the cold, and I suddenly had a moment of sanity. It was like my head and heart were suddenly on the same page, and I thought, “What are you doing? This isn’t good.
“I had been to 11 rehabs before that day. But that time, I walked into the crisis center, and it was the first time I finally said, ‘I don’t have a home and I haven’t had one in four years. I’m dying and I need you to help me.’ And they did.
“I had a social worker who fought for me. People would mistreat me. In their terms, I was just a junkie. But my social worker told me, ‘We’re going to fight hard for you. I need you to fight hard for you.’ She sent me through detox. I started attending meetings and hanging out with girls living in the recovery house.”
To Gina, having a strong support system was crucial; most noteworthy was her family.
“Thank God for my family. One of the things that breaks my heart is that I was not always there for my family as much as I feel I should have been. I was being driven by addiction. They supported me through my entire journey.
“Now, I’m going to college to get my associate’s degree in social work. I don’t know what else I would do if I didn’t work in the recovery field. My sponsee calls me every day at 4:34 pm, and I have a group of women in recovery who I know are always going to love me, who will always be there for me.
“I would say to anyone who thinks they have a problem: There is hope. Please don’t give up on it. You are loved. You are somebody.”