Leslie’s Recovery Story: Through Relapse and Back Again
How Addiction Started
Leslie’s recovery story starts in her early 20s with what she calls “a really awful pill problem” — doctors prescribing, and Leslie self-medicating far beyond what she needed. “But that was just kind of the tip of the iceberg,” she says. A partner later introduced her to crack cocaine, and “that was the start of another full blown addiction.”
The Turning Point
Her mother was the catalyst for getting help — her biggest advocate and cheerleader. That first attempt gave Leslie five years of sobriety, but she was doing it for her mother, not herself. Without taking care of herself, she relapsed when her daughter was ten months old.
She’s clear about what that means, and what it doesn’t. “Addiction is a disease like any other illness,” Leslie says. “There comes a time where it’s no longer their choice.”
Finding Recovery and Healing
This time, Leslie is in recovery for herself. “When you do it for yourself, recovery looks very different.” Today she works as a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS), helping others find their own pathway to healing — proof that relapse isn’t the end, but can be the start of something more honest and more lasting.
Resources for Families & Recovery
Recovery resources and support
