MARICE

My name is Marice. I have struggled with drug addiction for 30 years. I have been to eight treatment centers and have been incarcerated several times for drug-related crimes. I have attempted to stay ‘clean’ every time I have completed treatment or have been released from jail and have failed every time…until I came to in2Action. When I look at why I’ve been successful at in2Action, it’s because they provided all my necessities – food, a home, clothes, as well as a few extras like a cell phone to communicate with. It’s also because I have a counselor, caseworker, and Dan himself available at all times.

I didn’t work right away when coming to in2Action because it is important to build a spiritual foundation. Loving, caring, respecting and communicating with each other is so helpful because I got out of myself. The staff members believe in us and help us – and we help each other. The classes give us a chance to express our feelings and to get answers that help us to identify with our feelings and where they are coming from. This gives us the opportunity to work on shame and guilt and low self-esteem so that we can move forward with our lives.

When we phase up to the next level, we get to work and practice responsibility, with financial advisors. And we continue to get a stronger foundation through finding a new way to live as we become responsible, productive members of society. See, the main ingredient that all the other treatment centers and half-way houses were missing was love and believing in us and not holding our past against us. In2Action believed in me and loved me until I started believing in and loving myself. I didn’t want to hurt other people or myself anymore. And for all this, I am truly grateful for in2Action.