After the birth of her daughter, now 4, Megan suffered from severe postpartum depression. At the same time, she was prescribed medication following surgery. Before she even realized it, she had become addicted to Oxycodone and other opiates, and she eventually became an IV-drug user.
“I never thought, ‘Oh, when I grow up I want to be an addict and steal from people,’” she says.“ I did not see this ever happening to me. I was spiritually dead. I walked around like a shell. I weighed 95 pounds soaking wet, my face was sunken in, and I’d lost the ability to cry.”
After years of self-destructive behavior, with the help of her parents she sought treatment. The day she entered rehab, she learned she was pregnant again. Determined to put the health of her baby first, Megan got sober, completed the program, and has been in recovery for more than a year.
“Now I sponsor others in recovery,” she says. “I have been sufficiently horrified by my disease, and I do not ever want to go back to that lifestyle. I cling to the 12 Step Program like a drowning man.”
Working with her SVDP case manager, Megan is on track to become successful and independent. Her days begin at 6:30am, when she takes her kids to day care, and she doesn’t arrive back at home until 6:30 or 7pm. She works a full-time job in retail and attends community college classes at night. She expects to earn her associate’s degree next semester before transferring to the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work.
It’s an understatement to say that Megan is motivated to create a better life for herself and her two children. “I don’t understand how some people only want to figure out how to do the least amount of work possible. Not me,” she says. “St. Vincent de Paul has been such a blessing. I’m grateful forhaving a stable place to live, but this place is a transition untilI can get out on my own.
“I love it here, but I want to move on and be able to take care of myself so that I can give my place to someone else who’s willing to do the same.”
Read more about Megan’s hopes and dreams. (This article appeared in the December 2012 issue of SVDP’s ‘Good Samaritan’ newsletter.)
Conrad Cajigas says
Hi, I’m looking for help for my friend.
She has a 3 year old daughter. She’s an addict. She’s looking for rehab on a place that she can go with her daughter. Please help !
David Sharpe says
Hi Conrad,
Please contact Metro United Way’s 2-1-1. Should the 2-1-1 number not work from your phone, alternative numbers to dial are (502) 753-2201 or 1-877-566-4968.
Good luck
Marsha C says
I have a friend with 3 kids a set of twins whom are I believe 4
she also has a older daughter that I believe is 6 she is struggling so badly. she only has a month and a half clean. please help guide me.
Beth Haendiges says
Hi Marsha, please contact me at bhaendiges@svdplou.org. We’ll see if there’s anything St. Vincent de Paul or one of our conferences might be able to do.