09/16/2025
September is National Recovery Month
Here is Christy’s story of resilience and hope 💜
In September of 2010 my family had finally had enough! They sent me to what would be the first of many treatment centers for an addiction to pain pills that I refused to believe I had. My Daddy wrote me a letter while I was there to tell me he had attended a recovery month community forum and lit a candle for me. I remember saying “Awwww, that’s sweet but I don’t have a problem.” Today, I see that event as God laying the foundation for my recovery and placing the people in my life who were instrumental to my recovery.
I spent the next 5 years in and out of treatment centers and caught in the grips of addiction. Life quickly spiraled out of control as I hurt the people I loved, did things I said I would never do and ended with me facing felony drug charges and a 5 year prison sentence. My family and friends continued to love me even when they didn’t like me. They loved me enough to make tough decisions (from having me arrested and pressing charges to not agreeing with a judge who wanted to release me from jail early). They constantly prayed and never gave up on me even when they had to distance themselves from me for their own safety and sanity. July 15, 2015, I hit my rock bottom and began a new life in recovery.
Today, my daughters have a Mom they can depend on and who they choose to spend time with. My 6 grandkids have never seen me drunk or high. My Dad and Aunt Dianna look to me for help making tough family decisions. I have a marriage that only God could have put together with a wonderful man who shows me daily what it means to “live grateful”. I have built an amazing support group of family and friends who tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. I get to work in recovery and see miracles happen every day.
Along with all the blessings there have also been a few bumps in the road, that’s the way life is. I’ve lost loved ones (and 2 dogs) too soon, not every relationship is healed and I was diagnosed with a life changing chronic illness in 2023. One thing recovery has taught me to trust God’s plan even when I don’t understand it. HIS plan will always better!
Life in recovery is not perfect, and it’s not always easy, but it is so much better then any life lived in addiction. Please reach out and ask for help if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction. You never know when a small gesture, like lighting a candle, will change a life❤️
(Would you be willing to share your recovery story? Email Carrie! Carrie.gentry@rrchrecovery.com)