women's sober living Archives

February 15, 2018 By

Erika’s Story

My name is Erika. I am an alcoholic and an addict. Alcohol has been my main addiction until I was in an accident. The trusty doctors had me on pain killers for 5 months and took me off without weaning me off them.

Alcoholism runs in my family, on both sides, which was a huge contributor to my disease. When I was a little girl I dreamed of being a ballerina or a teacher and a great mommy, not waking up violently shaking and nauseous every morning. The only thought running through my mind was “is there any wine left,” searching my room and every cup just for a drop. Or looking on the floor to see if I dropped any dope. That’s just not living, I was merely existing.

I was living in a dope house near Ohio Ave and Livingston Ave. where there were a lot of other people crashing there too, all of whom were users too. I was laying down, listening to the mice run and scatter on the hardwood floors, accepting that I was more than likely going to die laying in the same spot, within a month or two.

The shame, embarrassment, self loathing, and pain kept me from being around my family, my daughter, as much as I wanted and should have been.

Two days after accepting my death was near, I got the phone call that saved my life. Leigh Gadek called and told me there was a bed open. I packed my things with a quickness a got out of the hell-hole I was living in.

Since December 7, 2016 I have been in HOPE Recovery sober living. I’ve had a few slips, but by the grace of God and Leigh’s understanding of this disease, I was able to return. Today I have 7 months 2 days clean and sober and am a house manager in one of the women’s homes. It was a long and bumpy ride, but this is the longest length of sobriety I’ve ever had in, well, ever!!! I finally have my life back and I’m in control of it, and that’s a feeling I haven’t had in over a decade, and it’s great!!! My higher power, sponsor, family, house mates, and Leigh are my rocks, who I can count on always to be there in any time of need or distress. My family is amazing and my biggest supporters. They have been through hell and back because of me and my addiction. I’m so grateful they are still by my side.

I work 30 hours a week, spend every moment I can with my daughter and family, am active in my daughters activities and clubs, go to 12 step AA/NA meetings, and help the women in my home!!! I am proud of the woman I am today, and I couldn’t have done it without HOPE Recovery. I’ve tried for many, many years to overcome this disease and was never successful until I found HOPE Recovery.

The structure, stability, hope, encouragement, strength, and accountability these homes provide is remarkable!!! Being able to have other women around that completely understand what your going through helps so much!!!

I plan on staying until I am comfortable and confident to be on my own. I have so much love, respect, and faith in HOPE Recoverys programs and am honored to be a part of it.

Erika J, 31

December 3, 2016 By

My Name is Lauren – I am a Heroin Addict

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Never in a million years did I think my life would consist of dirty hotel rooms, syringes and burnt spoons, but in the end, that’s all I had left. Literally. My amazing family, my beautiful daughter, they seemed like characters in a book- pushed so far from my life because of my overwhelming shame that they had become strangers. But because of God, those “strangers” and my sober living home, my life is steadily being transformed every single day.

I truly believed there was no hope for me. I believed I would die alone an early, heart-wrenching death. I was miserable.

That’s the only word to describe it. I had hit a point where it had to be either self inflicted death- OR TRY ONE MORE TIME to live a life so foreign to me.

One life saving prayer after another began being answered. The signs were big and obvious, I was meant for more.

God knew I needed signs that were in my face. My family were and are my biggest supporters. The pain, guilt and shame we feel as addicts can be plenty enough to prevent us from beginning the journey of recovery. I am grateful every single day for each phone call when I get to tell my mom how my day went and ask about hers, or when I can call my dad and ask for advice or when I receive a text from my brother. Those things mean the most. To think I almost missed this… THAT SCARES ME.

To think others will miss this and continue in the misery too afraid to ask for help… my heart breaks with those thoughts. I AM TRULY, TRULY THANKFUL TO BE LIVING AT MARINS HOPE SOBER LIVING. Where would I be right now without the daily love and support from other women going through the same life changes? I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

There is something you get from fellow recovering addicts that only they can give you.

This house, these women, the programs (aa/na), the accountability, the ease of transitioning into a “normal” life, these are all such important factors in me staying clean. You can’t pick and choose what sounds good to you and expect to stay clean. Use the resources available to you because they will SAVE YOUR LIFE!!

Every day I am now blessed enough to wake up and thank my higher power, my program, my family, Marins Hope and the women who walk with me through it all. Today I don’t wake up in a hotel room with a needle in my arm and an overwhelming aching in my heart.

I Smile Every Single Day. I Laugh. I’m holding onto this with everything I’ve got so I can continue to discover all the amazing gifts in my life. IT IS NEVER, EVER TOO LATE!

– Lauren K. 29

September 30, 2016 By

HOPE Recovery – Recovery Home for Women – Review

Living Room

I recently toured one of the occupied Women’s sober living homes in Columbus, and I was lucky enough to get to spend some time with a couple of the residents there. The word that comes to mind to describe the residence is peaceful. The house is charming and clean and held a feeling of hope in every room. The girls are expected to keep their surroundings clean and put together, and I could feel the pride the residents have in their surroundings. From the basil growing in a pot in the kitchen to the made beds and a hammock hanging in the back, these girls seemed to be trying hard to make this little house their own.

Leigh Gadek met with me and I witnessed her interacting with the girls. What impressed me the most is the sober living is not a free for all. These girls are held accountable and expressed to me that they know how lucky they are to be living there. They go to meetings, know that they will be randomly drug tested and are very aware of who is serious about staying clean and who isn’t within the house. Leigh inspected the home while I was there, and the girls responded to her with respect. One of the women was getting ready for a job interview that afternoon, and there was a strong feeling in the home that each girl wanted the other to succeed. Life beyond drugs and alcohol is their ultimate goal. The neighborhood seemed safe and quiet, and the girls have strict rules surrounding interacting with the neighbors. The neighbors are also aware the house is a sober house, and Leigh expressed to me that the neighbors will communicate with her on what goes on there. This was another comforting level of accountability that the girls have.

As a professional in this field and a recovering person myself, I am refreshed by the work Leigh Gadek and Heidi Riggs have put into their sober livings. Helping people one person at a time is the least that any of us can do, but Heidi and Leigh have found a way to impact more than that on a daily basis while providing structured and safe surroundings. I most definitely feel comfortable sending people to them. Great work ladies! Tiya Stokey