I am a 45 year old woman who has been down 8 years now. Wow, that actually just made me sad that of all the places I could have started a bio THAT is what I chose. I try to not let me sentence, time, crime define me but with a 19 yr sentence that is hard. I do hope that in doing this I build confidence because at this point that is where I am lacking most. I am a very kind, caring, open minded, non judgemental woman who has struggled with addiction for many years. My crime is distribution of Meth and I am guilty but in my heart and all the way to my soul I feel like I am being punished for being an addict because everything I did was fueled by my addiction. It has taken me years myself to believe that addiction is a disease but it is true and it is a constant battle. I am currently taking a correspondence course through Stratford Career Institute in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Counsleling to try to help myself and others. I started there (even though it is unaccredited) to get my head back in the game of studying and test taking, etc. I do want to go further and get my Associates in Psychology/Sociology and focus mainly on substance abuse counseling. I believe it will help keep recovery at the front of my brain and also when I am helping others is when I feel at my best. I have taken MANY classes during these last years from NRDAP, Drug Ed., Women’s Relationship, Philosophy, Social Studies & Current events, customer service, Anatomy, Project connect, women who love to much, and so many others that I don’t have time to list but i have learned a lot about myself from each one. One of the most important that I also preach to others is the A,B,C’s which are Any job, Better job, Career. That was a big one for me b/c my confidence is low when it comes to employment opportunities because I don’t have a lot of job history or much education but I am a hard worker and quick learner and will do anything out there until I work myself into a better position. I am a responsible, reliable, honest, trustworthy woman who has a lot to offer and I am willing to work my way up from the bottom. I have a great Gratitude Attitude and am grateful for any advice, feedback or help that comes my way throughout this journey.
