We all have personal stories about how addiction has affected us and those we care about—and this year we are honored to share but a few.
Research suggests that approximately 70% of those misusing/addicted to substances have COD, and that more than 10.2 million Americans meet the criteria for a clinical diagnosis of COD. Based on our personal experience with Harris – who died of an accidental overdose having been discharged from a program and sober living environment about 36 hours before – the rehabilitation system failed to properly address his COD.
My son, Hagen, was always most comfortable when he was with his “brothers”, whether on the football field, or later in the U.S. Navy. He believed in unity. He believed in encouragement and he believed in support. For several months I walked the lonely road of grief by myself, and in my solitude began sharing my journey on social media. It was during that solitude that I began to see what was missing for so many. Not being able to actively love my son left me feeling inadequate and lost and I found that taking my immense pain and turning it into something meaningful helped me heal in ways I didn’t quite understand, but the more I encouraged, talked, loved and supported, the less I hurt, and I was once again actively loving.
Carleah Summers has been through many hardships but has never let them define her, better yet she has let them motivate her into helping those through the same hardships she has once experienced. With her creation of Andrea’s House, she is changing lives one mother at a time. Carleah Summer is no stranger to overcoming adversity. As a woman in recovery herself, she knows firsthand how hard it can be to overcome an addiction. That’s why she started Andrea’s House to empower and bring hope to women recovering from addiction.
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