11/22/2025
Codie's life turned around when she arrived at Susannah's house.
According to Codie, if it wasn't for Suzanne's house and the NA program, "I would still be using… and my faith would not be as strong... They've really opened my eyes to all sorts of things, including faith. I would not be this far without them."
In one class by our ACES team, she calculated her Adverse Childhood Experiences score. It was high, which didn't surprise her, but what surprised her was how high her Positive Childhood Experiences score was. This realization helped her see her childhood more positively and less dreadful then she remembered it .
In another ACES class she attended, participants drew pictures of their family traditions on index cards and then wove all their cards together. Seeing how many people had similar traditions and experiences was helpful for her.
She also mentioned how the parenting classes at Susannah's house taught her emotional regulation.
"In addiction, I didn't want to feel anything; I would numb myself out. Now I honor my emotions."
Honoring her emotions allows her to be who she needs to be for her children. She is motivated to change things for her family, to make sure her daughter's ACEs score is lower than hers.
"My historical trauma is not going to reflect in my daughter."
Her experience at Susannah's house has opened doors she thought would never be open to her.
"I have my own place now. I have my own car. I'm so very close to getting custody of my daughter back. I've never been so fully loved and appreciated. They have completely changed the way I think about myself and everything else."
"No matter how many times we've messed up, there's always hope. And this place has really taught me that."
