Joy

Meet Joy, who shared the story of her family's long journey to recovery with us.

Joy began using drugs when she was young. Her father was an alcoholic and her mother coped by working around the clock. After 8 years of sobriety, Joy relapsed and lost her home and custody of her children.

For the next 20 years, addiction separated Joy from her family. She lived on the streets and struggled with mental health issues.

"I felt helpless and hopeless," Joy said. "I didn’t think recovery was possible."

Addiction stories often repeat generationally. When Joy learned her son and daughter had started using heroin, she understood they were following her example. She decided to seek help for her addition. She wanted to change her family’s story.

"I didn’t want them to end up like me."

Today, nearly four years later, Joy lives at Eva’s Village Apartments, where she finally feels safe. Her case manager is always available to help, and Joy thinks of the staff at Eva's as family. She is active at Eva’s Recovery Community Center where she supports others.

​"I know now that no matter what you're facing, there are alternatives to drugs, there are other ways to cope. I’m living proof!"

Family stories connect us. They remind us where we come from and teach us who we can be. Joy's children are again following her example by becoming sober with her. She and her children are providing love and stability for Joy's 4 grandkids as they create a new family story of recovery.

Joy is "grateful to have a second chance to be with my grandchildren in a way that I wasn’t able to be present for my children."
​
Read more stories.