In Her Words — Cheryl

My name is Cheryl. This is my story. I am originally from Pacifica. I grew up there my whole life and was raised in the same house my father was raised in by my grandmother. I was primarily raised by my dad and grandmother. My mom and dad were together until I was about six. After my brother was born, she fell into her addiction and was in and out of our lives for the next ten years.

I was 13 when I started using marijuana, drinking alcohol, and using stimulants. When I was 21, I became addicted to prescription opiates. It became so bad I could not function without the drugs, or I would be physically sick from withdrawals. I went in and out of jails and hospital programs but was never truly ready to surrender. I couldn’t hold a job or go to school due to my addiction so to feed my habit, I stole from the people I loved the most – my family and friends.

In 2017, I got arrested and was given a life-changing choice of five years in prison or 365 days in an intensive residential drug treatment program. The judge gave me one last opportunity to change my life and even though I was scared, I knew that I needed help.

I remember my first 30 days at Epiphany Center and feeling so raw, all I could do was cry but the staff and women there were amazing. Personally, I really benefited from the groups and structure provided by the program, particularly the counseling, life skills training, resume building, meditation, morning affirmations, and acupuncture. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was ready or even capable of living without drugs, but after giving sobriety a chance, I started to feel like a normal person again. I went to college, and with the support of my peers and staff, completed my first semester with straight A’s.

Epiphany gave me the tools and a strong support system of women that I’m still close with to this day. I continually use the tools that I learned while at Epiphany Center.

I owe my life to Epiphany’s program and the staff and all the women who were there with me through everything. I’m forever grateful to this program.

After leaving Epiphany, I found a great job that I love. I’ve been there two years. I get to go into the community and help the unsheltered and most vulnerable population get connected to care and resources.

Epiphany gave me my life back and showed me to have faith in myself that I can do anything I want in life. My addiction does not define me but has helped shape me into the person that I am today.