Desperate to break free from the chains of addiction, Annette has spent the last six years transforming her life. At Crossroads she’s found the compassion and resources she needs to stay clean and rebuild family relationships. This is her story of transformation and strength.
“I was a heroine addict for 35 years. I did crack cocaine for a little over 12 years. I tried sobriety a few times but it just did not work,” says Annette. “Throughout my whole addiction I always prayed and asked: Why can’t I get my life together? What’s wrong with me?”
In 2012 Annette was sentenced to 18 years in prison for drug trafficking. “At that time I was humiliated and ashamed,” she says. Annette was desperate for a different life but didn’t know how to change. “I knew my purpose was to live and I didn’t know how. The only thing I knew how to do was be a junkie, to be a heroine addict, and a crackhead. I didn’t know how to live life.”
“I knew my purpose was to live and I didn’t know how. The only thing I knew how to do was be a junkie, to be a heroine addict, and a crackhead. I didn’t know how to live life.”
Annette’s sentence was reduced to 12-years suspended prison time, one year at MDC, and five years probation. This past April Annette successfully completed her probation–a huge accomplishment that has helped empower her to keep making positive progress in her life.
Growing up, Annette’s home life was wrought with domestic violence, drugs, and sexual abuse. Her father struggled with alcoholism and acted out by beating her mother. At six-years-old Annette suffered the trauma of being sexually abused. Several years later at the age of 14, she was introduced to drugs and started using PCP.
“I grew up afraid and running from my own self. I didn’t know to ask for help. I didn’t know there were resources and people out there who would fight for us.”
“I was running at just six-years-old and that’s how I grew up–afraid, running. That’s what I did with my life–I ran. I was running from my own self,” says Annette. “I didn’t know to ask for help. I didn’t know there were resources and people out there who would fight for us.”
In September 2013 Annette graduated from the New Mexico Women’s Recovery Academy (NMWRA). A self-described Christian, Annette says “That’s when God broke the chains of addiction. I surrendered my life and I was desperate at that time.” Next on her journey she spent some time at the Amity Foundation before ending up at the Barrett House homeless shelter. It was there that the doors opened for Annette to become a Crossroads for Women client.
“Without Crossroads, I don’t know where I’d be. There is a lot of love, strength, and compassion here.”
“I came to Crossroads broken. I was broken my whole life,” says Annette. “Without Crossroads, I don’t know where I’d be. There is a lot of love, strength, and compassion here. This place is amazing.”
As a client of The Crossroads permanent supportive housing program, Annette attends weekly therapeutic groups and works with her Case Manager and the clinical team to address her recovery, mental health, and other individual needs. Annette loves attending group because she says she’s had to a lot of internal work as part of her recovery journey. “This time around I’ve stayed on the right path. I’ve stayed in groups and focused on me.”
The strength Annette has found at Crossroads is also helping her to rebuild broken family relationships. She has three adult daughters and recently became a grandmother. “I caused a lot of damage that I could not fix by myself. I’m still working on mending my pieces together,” she says. “I love my life today.”
Written by Clarissa Earl
So proud of you annette!!😘