Released to Fly: How I Overcame 40 Years of Addiction

When I was introduced to alcohol at the age of 14, I never guessed that my very first taste of alcohol would lead to a downward spiral over the next 40 years. From the time I was a teen into my 40s, I found myself in and out of the criminal justice system for drug-related offenses. Every time I was released I would tell myself, “I will not be back.” But my addiction overpowered my willpower, and each time I inevitably ended up back in jail, leaving my kids and ultimately losing them to Child Protective Services with no hope of reunification in sight. 

In 2012, I was arrested again and introduced to STAR Drug Court through Kathy Griffin, a STAR Court alumnus, through a program called “Been There Done That.”. I was excited to be accepted into the program, but in my own mind, I questioned whether I was really ready to make the most of this chance. Was this a “one foot in, one foot out” situation? Did I have the capacity to change? In the end, I knew that I could not return to the environment I came from because there was no guarantee that I would make it out alive.

In December 2012, I was released from custody to Santa Maria Hostel under the supervision of Judge Vanessa Velasquez and the entire STAR Drug Court team. Oddly enough, I trusted her authority over my life and my fear turned into faith and trust. Little did I know how much of an impact this choice would make on me and my future.

I completed the first 3 phases of STAR Drug Court within 15 months and early terminated in May 2015. This is when panic and fear began to set in. I asked myself, “Can I do this without the court’s constant monitoring? Will I fail yet again?”

I plunged myself into service work through Santa Maria’s Peer Advisory Council and maintained a strong connection with my new sober social network. With the support of the court, I became a Recovery Coach working with people just like me, individuals with criminal justice involvement. Breaking the stigma that comes with incarceration and inspiring hope to those who were once seen as just a number. During this time, I also knew that I wanted to pursue a college education. Justice Forward (then known as HCDCF) saw my potential and informed me of academic scholarships available to individuals that have completed STAR Drug Court. I applied and was awarded my first of many scholarships over the last three years. 

In December 2020, I graduated San Jacinto College with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences for Mental Health and Counseling. I also received my Level 2 Certificate as a Mental Health Technician with a GPA of 3.4. While pursuing school I also strengthened my abilities as a Peer Specialist by obtaining the a number of specialized trainings and certifications. I am now in my sixth year of employment with Santa Maria Hostel and recently transitioned into the Prevention Department. I am also a Peer Specialist with a recovery community organization in Austin called Recovery ATX. 

As I look over my last nine years in recovery, I am proud to be an alumnus of one of the many Specialty Courts served by Justice Forward in Harris County. My most recent scholarship from Justice Forward funded my studies to become a Certified Prevention Specialist, which will be completed in May 2021. I will be pursuing a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in hope of eventually coming back to work in one of the Harris County Specialty Courts, giving back what has been so freely given to me.