Pubdate: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 Source: Phoenix New Times (AZ) Copyright: 2005 New Times, Inc. Contact: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/640 Author: Cindy Hoffman Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1851/a10.html THE METH PLAGUE How to deal: My hat goes off to Maggie Voss and her accomplishments. What she's done for herself and her family is no easy feat ("Ice, Ice, Baby," Robert Nelson and Joe Watson, November 24. I know this because my story is very much like hers: hard-core biker chick and strung-out dope fiend for well over 20 years. I'm two and a half years clean, and with the help of my Higher Power, I will stay this way the rest of my life. I wonder, though, do you know about Women in New Recovery? You mentioned the Center for Hope as a long-term rehab center for mothers with children. But Women in New Recovery is a seven-month, inpatient treatment facility that also includes WINRs & Kids. WINRs is a nine-month inpatient facility for mothers with their children, and it was there that I found my recovery and my true spirituality. Both of the programs feature a peer-driven community, which basically boils down to one addict helping another. I had state Child Protective Services in my life for the third time and was told in no uncertain terms that this was my last chance. I started out in the WINRs primary program, where I built the foundations for my recovery, and then went into WINRs & Kids. Unlike most inpatient treatment facilities, residents there are required to maintain steady employment, which actually taught me how to be a mom in recovery and how to deal with supporting my family, as well. Yet it was all done with the loving guidance of other women in recovery. Even the majority of the staff at WINRs actually graduated from the program. Being in treatment with my children made a huge difference in how we interact as a family now. They understand that without me, there's no us. And that no matter what, my staying clean is the top priority. As long as I do, I'm free to be the mom they always wanted me to be. My children were entirely too involved in my life of drugs, and they really seem to enjoy being involved in my life of recovery. I graduated the program in May 2005, but I'm still very closely connected with my "family" there; I do all I can to help the women just coming into the program. Thank you, New Times, for printing a story of recovery and hope. I cried when I read Maggie Voss' story because stuff like that shows me that I can do it, too. The world needs to know that there really is a solution and that places like Harbor Lights, Center for Hope, and Women in New Recovery are a huge step in the right direction. Cindy Hoffman, Mesa - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake