My name is Amy and I’m an addict.

I was given the opportunity to write about my experience with the Westminster house and I’m excited to share my journey.  I had been stuck in the grips of addiction since the age of 9. I did not have a chance of the life that I deserved and I cheated myself into thinking I was less than what I was, spiritually, physically and mentally. I was a broken little girl. I surrounded myself with toxic people who were involved in crime. I had pushed myself far from my family. I had an education in the beauty industry working in spas, however my addiction stopped me from being able to do the services that I was trained to do. My addiction stopped me from being able to do the job I loved. When I was fired, I couldn’t deal with the embarrassment.

I went on doing jobs that I wasn’t invested in and was only working to get by to afford my addiction. I was damaged and depressed. I had falling outs with my family and moved across town. I didn’t talk to any of my loved ones. I didn’t want them to see the affect my addiction was having on me. I lived a double life and told my mother that I was doing great until she heard the truth from another family member.

In 2014 I decided enough was enough. I reached out to my loving mother on December 25th. It took a few more weeks to fully surrender to the fact I needed help and I agreed to checked myself into a treatment at Westminster House Society for women. I came in on February 3rd and stayed in primary treatment for 6 months. I participated in programming and became a part of a 12-step program, going to meetings twice a day. I went to group every day and was taught skills of how to deal with life stressors and was guided toward a new way to live. I met women who have suffered close to the same trauma’s and dealings. We came together as a sisterhood holding each other up when it was impossible to hold ourselves up. I was told that I would be loved until I could love myself and I found comfort in the fact that I had to give nothing but honesty, opened mindedness and willingness.

I graduated from first stage went on as an active alumnus going to outpatient gatherings such as relapse prevention and alumni group. Today, I sponsor other women and give back by volunteering. Westminster house helped me by pushing me out of my comfort zone and assisting me with going back to school. School gave me a boost of confidence that I can do whatever I set my mind to. I’m waiting to start my second course in the field and can’t wait to start my career in the field of addictions.

Over the last five years, I’ve taken the time to get to know me who I am and what makes me tick, my values, moral compass, boundaries, my likes, my dislikes and my passions. I learned I have a strong sense of justice, I’m creative, and I can love and write (well). My voice has become my biggest gift, I ‘ve developed a worldwide voice that has now become my career.
Westminster house and the staff here turned a hopeless girl into a woman of society. I have faith and passion and the ability to go on in life free from the grips of addiction. Being apart of the Westminster house has been truly a blessing. I get to meet women from all back grounds and I get to be a part of their journey as well as be involved in the community. I have a sense of belonging and feel a part of something that’s so important to society.

Westminster house has been an advocate to the fentanyl crisis and addiction. We can and have been involved making a change in the views of the stigma that comes with addiction.

If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out and call Westminster House!