Hello my name is Reilly and I am a grateful recovering addict. I would like to tell you a bit about my story and hope to relate with someone who comes across this. I will start from when I was young. I have gone through a lot of traumatic events causing me to grow up faster than a little girl should have to. So from a young age I was trying to escape my own skin. Substances for me was that escape. I started from a really young age. Grade 5 was the first time I tried substances, taking my dad‘s beer and smoking origami paper as cigarettes. It was in grade 7 when I tried narcotics for my first time. From then on I knew it was the perfect way to escape reality.

My parents split up when I was 11 and I moved around a lot, so I never found friends I felt close with, and always felt like an outcast. I began to look for other people who felt the same and they were the ones who partied and used substances. I managed to graduate and as soon as I did I moved out of my mom‘s house and in with a friend. I started dating a guy who became my whole world, it was a very unhealthy relationship. We used a lot together and began to sell as well. We moved to Alberta and my habit only progressed. When we split up it got worse and I went from partying on weekends to using multiple times a week.

When COVID hit I moved back to BC to be closer to family. I was able to stop using my DOC for about eight months, but was still drinking. I ended up in a situation that caused me to lose everything. I lost my new healthy relationship, my house, my job, my dog, and it ended in me trying to take my own life. I struggle with bipolar and borderline personality disorder so I struggle a lot with suicide. I moved back to Abbotsford with my sister as she was trying to get me the help I needed. I began to hang out with old friends and began using again. I went to a friend’s house and she gave me something that was laced. My best friend took a video of me and sent it to my sister because he knew I needed help. When my sister made me watch the video I realized how sick I was. My sister asked if she could get me into somewhere – if I would go – and I said yes. My cousin had gone to Westminster House so my sister got ahold of the House and I was put on the waitlist. I called in every day and I knew that this was a place that could help me. Every day I called in they were so nice on the phone, and when I arrived I was welcomed with open arms.

Being here was the best experience I could’ve asked for. I was given proper medical attention and was set up with proper counselling as well. I gained an amazing support group and was introduced to Narcotics Anonymous. I have never felt so accepted and at home. Westminster House has given me a better life and friendships that I will have for the rest of my life. I am so thankful for the women that work at the house – they never gave up on me and have helped me grow into the woman I am today. For this, I am forever grateful to Westminster House.

-Reilly B.