I never believed I could fall to addiction.

Instagram: @mel.speaks

What’s your name and drug of choice?  Melissa Sue Ash. Hydrocodone, Xanax and Meth.

What’s your sobriety date? 3/21/2020

I grew up in Illinois and I work for a mortgage company. And my passion is bringing awareness to parent alienation. 

Parental alienation is a strategy whereby one parent intentionally displays to the child unjustified negativity aimed at the other parent. The purpose of this strategy is to damage the child's relationship with the other parent and to turn the child's emotions against that other parent. Source: ncsc.org

Describe your experience as an addict. 

I grew up with a mother who tried to be a good mom, but wasn’t able to because she has some kind of mental illness, so I had to be the back bone for me and my two younger sisters. 

I never believed I could fall to addiction. After the birth of my third child they prescribed Xanax and Hydrocodone. After they took the prescriptions away. That is when I knew I had a problem. 

Not too long after that I tried what I thought was cocaine but was meth. I was instantly hooked. One month later I found I was pregnant and was already long gone. I used during my entire pregnancy. Thankfully my daughter is okay and healthy by the grace of god. But I took that as I have a purpose to what I went through. 

I have always secretly dealt with depression, mood swings, all kinds of stuff so I guess you could say once I found drugs it was an escape

When did you realize your life had become unmanageable? I had realized my life had become unmanageable right before the birth of my fourth child. I craved drugs at all time and especially meth bc it gave me energy.

What did your recovery look like? I went to rehab for a weekend but that was all. I quit doings drugs cold Turkey. Through god I was able to recover.

How are you doing these days? The best. A normal day during the week I get the kids up for school and then work all day from 8-4:30. Thankfully I don’t have craving anymore. Even when I’m down I don’t crave drugs anymore and I’m thankful for that.

What do you do to maintain sobriety? I go to Church, exercise and work.

What are you grateful for? My children.

Any advice you would give to newly sober folks? These rough days you are going through right now will be nothing but a memory, and you’ll get to look back at the person it has made you today. You are worth it! You deserve the best version of you. 😃