Healing For A Family
We hear a lot about the opioid crisis but often that information focuses on statistics, hard-hit communities and the causes of this public health crisis. Meet Holly, a woman who can put a face to the trauma and despair brought by opioid dependency but who can also shine the light on the hope and joy of the pathway to recovery and healing.
Her addiction began at age 13 with an over prescription of pain killers after a tonsillectomy. The pills eased not just her physical pain but the emotional one that she suffered after the death of her father at that tender age of preadolescence. She was not aware how deeply she was grieving, and there was no intervention to assist her to cope with the feelings of loss. Over the years and like so many others, she migrated to other drugs after she could no longer obtain those prescribed. She used cocaine, meth and later heroin in the search for something that would dull the pain and the tragic consequences of her addiction. Although early on she completed residential treatment, she was unable to continue sobriety.
Holly is the mother to three children, two born during her addiction. As a consequence of her dependency, her children were removed by CPS. She missed important milestones of their development. Along the way, she also experienced near death through overdose and traumas too numerous and private to elaborate on. She found the refuge and
help of Santa Maria after the birth of her third child. A caring physician insisted she have a plan for treatment before she was discharged from her maternity hospital stay. Her mother suggested Santa Maria, and Holly entered residential services coupled with medication assisted treatment, surrounded by the support she so desperately needed.
With the help of court liaison services offered through SMH she regained custody of her children. With guidance from her peer recovery coaches and counselors, she completed treatment, enrolled at Houston Community College and secured childcare for her children. She resides at Bonita House in the sober living apartments with her family. All of her family members have been strengthened by the many services available to children and families. Holly is studying counseling and is determined to become involved in the world of recovery services as her profession. Today, she shares a warm smile, thoughtful insight into her future and the hope she envisions for her children. She asked that we recognize the Santa Maria staff “Coach Patera and Coach Traci, Mr. Tommy Austin and Ms. Amelia Murphy, my inspiring team of counselors and advocates… I could not have come this far without them!”
She is the face of RecovHERy.
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