Hello and welcome to our first blog post of many, this person has been through the most challenging of times but through the love of her girls, family and friends around her to support her she has truly turned her life around, let dive in to find out more

Let kick if off, what your favourite quote:

Hi, so my favourite quote would have to be
"Life isnt waiting for the storm to pass,its learing to dance in the rain"

Can you tell us when you started taking drink/drugs and what was happening in your life at the time please

So for me my drug taking began when i was around 32, i did drink already at this point, and to be honest to be social, everyone i associated with drank and it was the local pub Culture..my ex husband was a big drinker and had always dabbled in recreational drugs,.. i was going through a very tough time with domestic abuse, and i simply one evening tried cocaine..i loved the warm feeling it gave me, i talked for hours about everything... i knew i liked this already..the day after i felt fantastic no hangover just tired..slippery slope activated.

This turned into a every other weekend thing, then into every weekend, before i knew it i was in deep, every single day using 150/200 of coke.. i was lost in addiction in a very abusive marriage, being beaten for the least thing, like not mopping a floor proper, hiding bills that wasnt paid due to paying drug dealers all the time, but having my ex husband stealing my money constantly telling me that everyone would know what i was doing, if i told anyone about him..ie taking drugs..i didnt want anyone to know the only people that did,where the freinds who used also,

I was lost and alone very suicidal and sad, we owed thousands to drug dealers that where threatening my girls, i had to do something and i made a massive mistake and took money from my works and this rightly so landed me in styal prison

i let everyone down especially my girls but hard to believe i was always a good mum and tried my best why battling my addiction and abuse, i was so poorly physically and mentally

My time away was life changing for me i spoke to women from all walks of life who had been in my position, women with offences from fruad theft murder and to this day i think of 2 of my girls constantly and will love them forever.

Sam: Wow what a story and I just want to say a massive thankyou for being so honest and open with us and that will im sure help alot of people, I couldn't imagine the feeling, now having I boy of my own being taken away from him in those circumstances and put in prison, the strength that takes to sit in the moments all alone away from your girls, you must have had to dig so deep inside to pull through

By the time i went into prison i had already stopped taking cocaine and drinking witb the help of my mum, daughters and my partner

Sam: Can you please share with us any advice for anyone who is currently struggling with addiction

To anyone who may be struggling right now with any form of addiction i want to say im so sorry your in the position your in but i promise you there is a beautiful life after addiction one of peace, love and happiness, speak to someone and first things first admit you have a problem dont ever be ashamed

Sam: Absolutely, it's something I've talked about for years, finding that peace is a long journey but is incredibly fulfilling, one day it clicks and you sit back and know that although there is always work to do, how far you have come and well you feel was worth that times of struggle, your absolutely right, speak with someone is the first and most important step, dropping that ego (narrating everything in the background) and just admitting that you have a problem will change your life, great work 

Sam: What do you do today to maintain your recovery?

Today i simply love as i always have, and stay away from anyone that i associated with who is doing drugs it is just not for me anymore that wont be my life ever again, i learned to love me for me and to forgive myself for what i did

Sam: Forgiveness is freedom, dropping into the heart at every opportunity is whee we are meant to be, we can either live in fear or love there is no other alternative, here at SPIRIT TRIBE We always always choose LOVE

Sam: What are your favourite forms of self care?

My favourite self care is food, i am now a lovely plump lady😂 but this is my go to and has stopped me from going back to that old lifestyle, also the love of my girls and partner, my job and my beautiful dog, life is very simple now and peaceful and i love every moment.

Sam: It sounds like you have found a beautiful balance, finally accepting you for you, surrounded by the things and people you love and love you, self care at ist finest

Sam: If you were to right a book about recovery, what would it be called?

My book would be called
"Dancing in the rain"

Sam: How has your life changed now you are clean?

My life now is clear and peaceful and i enjoy the little things again

Sam: Yes yes yes, the litte things that are really not little, they bring so much joy and happiness we just have to look for them un every moment of the day, like "Dancing in the rain"

Sam: Can we just ask as its a topic we will be covering alot more of, do you think its possible to get clean without attending AA/NA?

I got clean without AA/NA but this is not possible for a lot of people, my addiction in the end was more cocaine i coud take or leave the drink, but the cocaine there isnt much help out there.

Sam: Yes agree its basically go cold turkey or continue, its up to us what choice we are ultimatelygoing to make

Sam: Do you have a favourite recovery quote you would like people to know?

"You have to break before you can breakthrough "

Sam: Oh my, that hit me, thankyou for that, ive never heard that before but its super powerful 

Sam: And finally I just what to say a massive thankyou for opening up and being so open and honest with us, yiu open heart and willingness to give to others through this blog with help I'm sure save someone from addiction, I just hope it's you the person reading this right now, we can't end without asking you what is important for for today?

My whole life is important to me now, my girls my partner, my mum, my brothers ❤️ and my doggie, and peace is very important to me i was tormented for so so many years, to have peace in your own head is absolutely beautiful 💕 

Beautiful and thankyou ❤️🙏

Until next time people 🙏❤️