Reasons for Living

“I never said, ‘I want to grow up and be a junkie.’ I had dreams, like I wanted to go to college …”  ‘Susan’ (20).

At 14, a knee injury and multiple surgeries ended “Susan’s” lifelong passion of being a competitive gymnast. Suddenly faced with a new life and out of touch with her gymnast friends, she began to party and skip school.

By 17, Susan was using multiple drugs. Desperate to help their daughter, her parents had enrolled her in various detox programs. But Susan often relapsed or was asked to leave due to behavioral problems. 

After a particularly heavy weekend of heroin use, she found herself alone and suicidal in her rooming house. She called her parents again, but this time her mother said she must do it alone. Desperate for help, she contacted CAB Health & Recovery Services’ Danvers Detox. 

She completed the detox program, then a step-down program, and was eventually transferred to the Ryan House, a working half-way house in Lynn, Mass.

Over six months later, and just turned 20 years old, Susan was the youngest woman to graduate from the Ryan House. Today, she is working two jobs, has her own apartment and attends 12-step programs in the community. Twice a week, she facilitates a program in which she tells her story as inspiration for other men and women in recovery from addiction.

               

*The names and photos have been altered to protect confidentiality, but these are true stories and direct quotes.