John's Story
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Getting Back Her Life
Annette Brumfield became addicted to crack cocaine over 16 years ago. She initially abused alcohol, but cocaine became her drug of choice. She entered her first treatment program at Recovery Resources 11 years ago, but wasn't serious about quitting. It's been a long journey to sobriety since then.
"It all started when I was going through a lot of mood changes and emotional instability, and didn't know how to deal with it or who to turn to," Annette recalls. "I followed other people that I shouldn't have, and was introduced to crack cocaine. I felt OK as long as I was using it, but when I stopped, the same old bad feelings and emotions came back. At the time I became addicted, I had four children. When I gave birth to my fifth child, my baby tested positive for cocaine."
"I was put into a treatment center, but had no intention of quitting at that time," she continues. "The Children and Family Services Department got involved and I completed a treatment program, but at the time, I didn't really want to stop using. This was a cycle that went on for years. Along the way, I lost four of my eleven children to adoption. I'm not proud of it, but I have to accept and live with it." Six of her children are in the legal custody of Annette's mother, and Annette has custody of her remaining child, 2-1/2-year-old daughter, Desire.
Awakening
"Somehow, I finally got my awakening to get clean and sober when I tested positive again for cocaine in 2005 -- it was the year I gave birth to my last child, Desire. Children and Family Services got into my life again. I was sick and tired of going through the same process over and over again. That's when I came to Recovery Resources and entered its Intensive Outpatient Program. They gave me the treatment and counseling I needed and was finally ready to accept."
"Everyone at Recovery Resources has been so supportive. I'm diagnosed as bipolar with major depression. I never had the trust to talk to anyone about my problems until I came here. This program gave me what I couldn't do for myself."
Dual-Diagnosis Substance Abuse
"Annette was ready to get sober when she returned to Recovery Resources in 2005," says Jennifer Tulli, Recovery Resources Women & Family Services Program Manager. "She really connected with our agency and the staff here." Jennifer came to Recovery Resources in 2006 and developed mental health support services in the agency's Intensive Outpatient Program, with a particular emphasis on dual-diagnosis addicts.
As a mental health professional with more than a decade of experience, Jennifer emphasizes the clear link between substance abuse and mental illness. "Many of the women who come to us are dual-diagnosed; in other words, they have a diagnosed mental illness as well as an addiction. In many cases, the mental illness has been untreated for years, if ever."
Dreams and Goals
Annette took the Intensive Outpatient Program very seriously. "My mind started clearing up. I started to take my medication regularly and began to feel like a normal human being. Today I know how to live a normal, productive life."
She now leads a weekly 12-Step Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and formed an alumni group of women who've undergone treatment at Recovery Resources. She also volunteers as a parent coach in the Cuyahoga Tapestry System of Care program through Community Care Network. Most important to her, Annette now has custody of her baby daughter and a good relationship with the children in her mother's custody.
"I have dreams today and I know how to make them happen. Now I know what my goals are, and one of them is to empower other women going through this difficult and painful process I've been through. Recovery Resources gave me back my life."
Recovery Resources provides education, prevention, assessment and treatment that empowers individuals to conquer substance abuse, addiction and mental illness. The agency's addiction services include Adult Outpatient, Older Adult Programs, Family Treatment, Children's Wellness and Dual Diagnosis for those dealing with both substance abuse and a mental illness. For more information, call 216-431-4131 or visit www.recres.org.
United Way of Greater Cleveland funds Recovery Resources' Comprehensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment program. With its implementation of efficient new community investment strategies, United Way supports numerous health and human service agencies helping more than 400,000 Greater Cleveland residents each year. To find out how you can help United Way and its 2008 Campaign, call 216-436-2100 or donate online now.
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