According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. Now in its 31st year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those living in recovery.”

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Rage Against Addiction’s mission is to “provide Awareness and Support to anyone affected by drug and alcohol abuse” and not only do we take great pride in those people we’ve directly helped but we are also proud of those in our community and around the world who have found recovery. But we know it’s not easy. Recovery is a lifestyle, not a moment in time. It requires minute-by-minute emotional and mental work. There is no one-size-fits-all way for someone to begin his/her recovery journey. Individuals may begin on a M.A.T. (Medication Assisted Treatment) plan; they may be forced to detox to get into a rehabilitation center or because they’re incarcerated; they may find a sponsor or a therapist, or both or none at all; they may go to NA or AA meetings; they may read medical journals or the Bible. Whatever way they begin the journey doesn’t matter. What matters is that they’re willing to fight, even when it becomes difficult, because they’ve finally realized that they are loved and valued.

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Jeannie Mullins, 56, is an amazing example of resiliency and recovery. She is a former resident of Elkton, MD, and she is currently living in the suburbs of Harford County, MD at Daughter’s House, the first sober living house operated by Rage Against Addiction.  She arrived there a few months ago after being homeless for several years and after suffering a childhood filled with domestic abuse and trauma. She tried alcohol at twelve years old when a group of older kids offered her a drink. “I instantly felt better,” she said of that first try. “That was the ticket. I was not lonely. I wasn’t thinking about getting beat [at home]. I was free.”

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As the abuse at home continued into her teen years and into adulthood, so did her drinking. When she had children of her own, she stopped the cycle of abuse, but she kept drinking because it made her feel good. “My fears went away,” she said. “But my kids saw way too many things they shouldn’t have.”

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She eventually turned to drugs and ended up homeless in Elkton, MD. She was also diabetic. She lived on the streets, in the woods, and in tents behind a shopping center. During this time, her son was also using drugs and was homeless. “He was a bad addict. I thought I was gonna lose him. Why he’s still here, only God knows.”

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As time went on, so did her drug and alcohol use. “I was ready to die,” she said of that time. “There was really nothing left of me.” At one point, she ended up in the hospital for a diabetic-related leg wound, and when she was released about four months later, she found herself back out on the street.

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It was there that she felt the beginning of something positive. “A really nice lady gave me a blanket. It was freezing and it was horrible, and I was gonna die…but she kept me alive that night. She made me feel worth it.” A police officer put her in a cab and sent her to Harford County where she had a network of supportive people. She had a history with this particular officer, and looking back, she realizes he was hard on her because he cared. “I was ready to give up,” she said with a hint of sadness in her voice. “But he provoked me into living and to do something with myself.”

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Jeannie found her way to Rage Against Addiction’s two sober living houses after finishing a program at a local drug and alcohol treatment center. She initially began at Sister House but ended up at Daughter’s House. “It’s beautiful here. It’s my peace and my God. I can get up every day and just breathe in the beauty and be grateful to be sitting right where I am.”

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Jeannie’s progress has been a team effort. Rachel Bongiorno, Daughter’s House Program Director, has been heavily involved with Jeannie’s development since the beginning. She has helped Jeannie get to and from doctor’s appointments, and made sure she was on the right amount of medication to manage her diabetes. Rachel even helped her find a newly furnished apartment that will be move-in ready soon. She provides mental and emotional support, and has given Jeannie a purpose. “I did not know how to handle and manage my chaos and she still helps me today. She is my angel on Earth.” Carlie Pennington, a Peer Support specialist, and Wendy Messner, Founder and Executive Director of Rage Against Addiction, have also played important roles in Jeannie’s recovery. “I owe them my life,” she said with a smile through tears. “I am fifty-six years old and I have never ever had hope in my life. Ever. But now I have so much hope…how the hell did I end up there? God, Rachel, Carlie, and Wendy. That’s how.”

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Through more tears, she said she is excited for many new things, including seeing her son get married in October. Looking back to the time when they were both using drugs and homeless, she never dreamed they would both end up in recovery. But she now knows it’s possible for anyone to recover from addiction, including her. “There’s still fight in me,” she said proudly of her transformation.

 

Jeannie believes that the patience, encouragement, and support provided by Rage Against Addiction has saved her life. “I said to Rachel, ‘I don’t how I can ever repay you.’ And she said, ‘you can do something…just stay.’ That’s all she said. So that day I made a commitment to someone that had all the faith in me…I’m staying. I made a promise to her.”

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If you’re struggling with addiction, please remember that recovery IS possible. But it can’t be done alone. There IS help. There IS support. Addiction is isolating but recovery doesn’t have to be. Surround yourself with positive influences and environments. Change your negative way of thinking, even if it means seeing a therapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and unhealthy thinking habits. Attend NA or AA meetings, and connect with a sponsor. Practice self-care, including but not limited to yoga, exercising, eating healthier, taking up a new hobby, meditation, taking a walk, or reading a book. (Often times, people use drugs and alcohol to deal with things like stress, trauma, mental illness, etc., so replacing substances with positive self-care techniques are essential to a successful recovery journey.) There is no right or wrong way to begin the road to recovery. It may be grueling, but it’s worth it for a happier and healthier lifestyle. If it becomes exhausting and overwhelming, and you want to give up, just remember Jeannie Mullins’ remarkable story and the powerful message from Daughter’s House Program Director Rachel Bongiorno: “Just stay.” WE DO RECOVER.