Christen’s story starts with a loss she didn’t choose.
“When I was younger, my mom left the family,” she says. “I was raised by my dad, and living life without my mother really hurt me.”
That pain didn’t just fade with time; it settled in. And like so many who carry a heavy blank space, Christen found something to fill it. “I turned to drugs to fill a void of emptiness,” she says.
Spiraling Down
Addiction wasn't the only trap. That emptiness pulled her into a six-year abusive relationship. By the time she made it to The Owls’ Nest, she was a shadow of herself—literally.
“I was 85 pounds,” she recalls. “Knocking on death’s door.”
Finding Love When You Can’t Love Yourself
Christen didn’t just walk into an addiction treatment program, she walked into a community.
“I had friends who loved me when I didn’t even like, let alone love, myself,” she says. “For that, I’m forever grateful.”
This was more than a safe place to detox. It was the first time in a long time that she had people who noticed if she went quiet. “If I don’t speak with them for a few days, they’ll call me just to check on me. I never had that before.”
Life on the Other Side
“I’m happy and I’m healthy,” she says. “I’m excited to wake up every day. I’m not miserable. I don’t dwell in self-pity.”
She’s got a job she loves, a wonderful apartment, and, most importantly, a circle of people who genuinely care about her well-being.
Recovery is More Than Sobriety
Recovery isn’t just about putting down the drugs. It’s about picking up a life worth living.
Christen went from “85 pounds and knocking on death’s door” to waking up excited for the day ahead. Her story is proof that with the right support, you can go from barely surviving to fully alive.
If you’re ready to find a community that will love you back to life, call us today. Recovery starts here in Florence, SC.
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