TRAPPED IN THE GRIP OF ADDICTION
By Amber Larison
In January 2023, I was at a crossroads. I was 43 years old and trapped in the grip of addiction, with little hope left for the future. Many had given up on me, but there was one person who never did: my grandmother. Her love, compassion, and unwavering support were the lifeline that pulled me out of darkness. It was she who stepped in to help me go to rehab, and it was her belief in me that sparked my journey toward recovery and a new life. This second chance has meant everything to me.
Rehabilitation was not just a physical detox, but an emotional and spiritual rebirth. While I was in rehab, my grandmother, alongside my papa, promised to support me through college. Their vision was clear: if I could get sober, I could build a future where I was not only self-sufficient but successful. At 43, as a recovering addict, I had the opportunity to make a fresh start, and that vision gave me something to fight for.
But the road to recovery wasn’t simple. After rehab, I struggled with severe mental health challenges, including auditory hallucinations that consumed my life. These struggles led me to a very dark place in August 2024, where I attempted suicide twice. The darkness I felt was overwhelming, and for a time, I saw no way out.
But after my second attempt, I knew I had to take action before it was too late. I walked to the nearest hospital, fully prepared to face whatever treatment I needed to survive. I had no fight left in me, not for myself, but for peace from the turmoil in my mind.
At the hospital, I was offered a second chance: to attend a dual-diagnosis wellness center. Without hesitation, I agreed. That choice proved to be the turning point in my life. For 60 days, I immersed myself in treatment, and when I was discharged, I continued with virtual outpatient therapy. I left the facility with an inner strength and peace I hadn’t felt in years. Finally, I was okay. More than okay. I was healing.
Today, I live in a sober living house and actively work my 12-step program with the help of a sponsor and a strong recovery community. I’ve enrolled in college classes, and every day feels like a victory. I am beyond proud of how far I’ve come. But more than anything, I am grateful. Grateful to God for guiding me through the darkest moments of my life, and to my grandmother, whose love and faith in me gave me a second chance at life.