At the Mother’s Day Awards Breakfast, Casey was one of two residents from our family center who spoke about their experiences in treatment. Casey, 23, is pregnant with her first child.
I feel very lucky to be here at Odyssey House. It wasn’t long ago that my life was a mess.
I had a tough childhood. My parents were struggling with alcoholism and moved around a lot. I also experienced a lot of trauma. I tried to get therapy but I wasn’t ready for it. I started using pills to deal with it but when I was 17, I started using heroin. Once I tried it, I couldn’t stop it. It numbed the pain and trauma I went through, but quickly it became a living nightmare.
After four years, I was done. One of my best friends died of an overdose. I was so dependent on heroin at that point and I couldn’t find a way to stop using – or how to get help or ask for help. I tried to end my life by overdosing. After my fourth attempt, I realized if I was still alive despite trying so hard not to be, maybe I had a purpose. Maybe there’s a reason why I’m still here.
My first day at Odyssey House I discovered I was one month pregnant. I was scared at first, but now I’m looking forward to it. I was lucky to have ended up in a program for pregnant women and women with children. In addition to learning coping skills and relapse prevention, I’m learning how to be a good mom – through parenting classes and also interacting with the other moms.
Before I came here, I graduated from a medical assistant program. While I’m here, I’m studying for the exam and will take it soon. I’m drawn to the medical field, my goal is to be an RN. I want to help people.