Ask For Help.

It doesn't matter what you are going through, you just need to always remember that there is at least one person that is always going to hear you out. Whether you struggle with mental illness, family issues, drug abuse, alcoholism, marriage struggles...there will always be someone there you can go to. I know this because i was in this position once.

About three years ago i began running away from home, partying, and hanging around the wrong crowd. I had the most loving family anyone could ask for, and my parents did everything to make me happy. I began experimenting with drugs thinking this would drown out the anxiety and depression i was constantly feeling in my body, but it only made it worse.

I did drugs for about two years just waiting for something to happen, for someone to realize i needed help, for someone to just say i got you. Although my family was asking me to come home scared to death the whole time i didn't want to hear it from them for some reason. I spent a few days hopping from couch to couch of people i knew and finally made it to a friends that i felt safe with...and that is when my life changed forever.

I decided to take something the night i made it there and i never woke up the next morning, instead i woke up three days later when i found out i had overdosed on fentanyl laced in a little white pill I took the night before to calm my nerves. The police walked into my hospital room and said i was court ordered to rehab, I had no words. I had really messed up this time.

As I arrived to the rehab center, my thought going in was stay to yourself, tell them what they want to hear and you'll be out soon. I didn't go in wanting to get better I went in wanting to get out, but then i thought of my family, school, friends, sports...everything i had given up, and that's when i walked up to my therapist and said the three magic words that saved my life. "I Need Help".

I began listening and learning new things everyday while being in rehab and actually made many friends i still have to this day. Once they thought i was ready, i knew i was and had no reasoning for staying any longer. For once in three years i was ready to go out into the real world and start fresh and clean. I am now 2 years sober and only 19 years old. I am in college and working as a caregiver helping people with memory loss. I have my relationship back with my family, and absolutely the best boyfriend i could ask for that pushes me to be my best and reminds me that i matter everyday. I have such a great testimony I can't wait to spread around the world because it only takes one person to truly listen and take your advice and you could be the reason someone is still alive today.

No matter the situation you are in now..do NOT be afraid to ask for help because you are SO loved. The moment you ask for help or tell someone you need to talk, will be the moment your life will begin to change. Cut the negativity in your life out and only let positive in. My favorite quote which i have tattoo'd on my arm is, "This Too Shall Pass". No matter what it is, it will pass, maybe not instantly but if you give it time, you will eventually be free.