By The Next Door Recovery
October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For one former client of The Next Door Recovery, both are deeply connected to her story.
Her struggle with addiction began when she was young. Over the years, substance use became intertwined with trauma, tremendous loss, and an abusive relationship.
For nearly a decade, she lived in what she describes as a violent and toxic relationship. Addiction became a way of coping with grief, instability, and pain. There were seasons when her life felt consumed by chaos.
But eventually, she found recovery.
She experienced seven years of sobriety and began rebuilding her life. Then, after years without drugs, she had a drink.
It seemed harmless at first.
Occasional drinking slowly became more frequent. Eventually, alcohol had such a hold on her that she needed a drink in the morning simply to keep from becoming sick.
After one particularly difficult period of drinking and isolation, someone she loved confronted her with the reality she already knew:
She needed help.
The next morning, she reached out to a friend in recovery who gave her the number for TN REDLINE, Tennessee’s 24/7 addiction treatment and recovery referral line.
She made the call.
TN REDLINE provided a list of treatment options that could work with her insurance. She called one facility and was told she would have to wait for an answer.
But she knew she could not wait.
The next call she made was to The Next Door Recovery.
After speaking with our admissions team, she was asked a simple question: “When do you want to come in?”
She chose that night, and at 10 p.m., she walked through our doors.
Because TNDR now offers 24/7 admissions, she did not have to wait until morning or try to hold on until regular business hours. When she was ready for help, we were ready for her.
Her insurance covered only a portion of treatment, but through TNDR’s Charity Care Program, the remaining financial barrier was removed and she was able to receive the care she needed.
At TNDR, she found a safe place to begin again.
She entered an environment where addiction was met without shame or judgment and where she could begin addressing not only substance use, but also the trauma, grief, and experiences that had shaped so much of her life.
Her journey is a reminder that recovery is not always a straight line. A person can experience years of sobriety and still need help again. What matters is knowing that it is never too late to reach for it.
For her, that began with a phone call.
She was ready. She asked for help. And at 10 o’clock that night, our door was open.
Help Is Available
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use or domestic violence, TN REDLINE is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-889-9789.
One call can be the beginning of a different story.
