There is Hope in Recovery

“Finding recovery allowed me to take my pain and turn it into hope.” –Lyndsay

During National Recovery Month, we’re sharing stories, testimonials and resources to help educate, engage and empower anyone touched by recovery. This is the personal story of Lyndsay, one of SouthLight’s Peer Support Specialists. We are grateful to Lyndsay for sharing this story, and we recognize that everyone’s recovery journey is different.   

Finding recovery allowed me to take my pain and turn it into hope.   

September has always been my favorite month of the year because it is my birthday month, but the last few years this month has an even more significant meaning to me. September is not only National Recovery Month, but it is also the month I celebrate my Soberversary! September always feels like my birth month and my re-birth month.  

Finding recovery allowed me to find hope in my life and see that I do have a purpose in this crazy world.

Finding recovery allowed me to find hope in my life and see that I do have a purpose in this crazy world. All of my life I dealt with a ton of abuse and pain, which lead to me suffering with mental health and substance abuse challenges. I spent a long time trying to cover up my pain with drugs and relationships, but it never worked. After years of trying to get clean and stay sober for my daughter, I finally started to get through my days not using, but I was still not enjoying life.  

It was almost a year into my recovery when I had a spiritual awakening. My whole life I went to church with my family, but I never was sure if I believed in a higher power. One week after I finished tapering off methadone I went to church with my friend and my higher power spoke to me that morning through the pastor of the church. He said “someone came here today struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues and you just need to have faith in HIM.”

I found the strength to take all of the pain I went through and use it to help people.

He continued to say “you may have never felt love in your life, but know that your father loves you and wants you to trust in HIM.” I had chills running through my body and I was just crying my eyes out. I knew that I was meant to hear that sermon that day and it changed my life. I was able to understand and see that all of the pain I went through was not my fault. I was always loved, but I was around people who had their own issues and projected their pain on me. I found the strength to take all of the pain I went through and use it to help people.  

I am able to share my pain with others and inspire them to reach the goals they want to reach.

That day I left and went home and started researching how to become a substance use counselor. Instead I found peer support classes and registered that day. In that class I learned that I needed to make a change in my life to complete this process that I had begun. I moved into a Sober living house, started going to recovery meetings, building a support network, enrolled back in college completing my bachelor’s degree, got a job as a peer support specialist and finally started living life.  

Today my life looks very different than it did four years ago. Today I am able to share my pain with others and inspire them to reach the goals they want to reach. I finally graduated college in May after dropping out in 2014, due to my drug use. I am able to be an amazing mother, friend, and employee. I am so grateful for the path I am on today and the life I am living today.  

The main difference that I have seen in myself is the hope I have in the world and the ability to see the positive side of things.

Through my recovery, I have learned how to deal with life on life’s terms. I still deal with many hurdles in my life today, but I am able to handle what comes my way differently. The main difference that I have seen in myself is the hope I have in the world and the ability to see the positive side of things. I enjoy being able to brighten someone’s day and see people living a life that they have always wanted for themselves. I am finally living a life that makes me happy and I have purpose through my recovery and finding hope.  

Learn more about SouthLight’s Peer Support team. With shared lived experiences, they guide and support individuals on their unique recovery journey. They model recovery values to encourage wellness and empower individuals to meet their goals.

About SouthLight Healthcare:

Founded in 1970, SouthLight Healthcare is one of the area’s largest nonprofit providers of substance use treatment and mental health services. SouthLight partners with individuals and communities to provide innovative treatment solutions delivered with compassion and dignity. With outpatient and community-based programs, SouthLight provides prevention, education, and treatment services in the Triangle and beyond. Call 919-787-6131 for help or more information or visit www.southlight.org.