ADDICTION STOPS HERE.
Recovery Stories.
Mercedes' Story:
Reclaiming Family Through Recovery at JourneyPure
A Life in Crisis
The loss of a child is every parent’s nightmare. For Mercedes, the pain of losing not one but three children to the consequences of addiction became the catalyst for a remarkable journey of recovery and redemption at JourneyPure’s Women’s Center in Maryville, Tennessee.
“Before I went to treatment, my life was a mess,” Mercedes shares candidly. The toll of her addiction extended far beyond herself – she had lost custody of three children, couldn’t maintain employment, and watched helplessly as relationships with family and friends crumbled.
The devastating loss of her third child became the turning point in Mercedes’ battle with addiction. “When I had lost my third child, is when I realized that I needed to get help and that I didn’t want to live like that no more,” she recalls, her voice carrying the weight of that pivotal moment.
This realization led Mercedes to JourneyPure’s Women’s Center, where she began the challenging but transformative work of recovery. Now, at 18 months clean, the changes in her life stand as testament to the power of professional treatment and dedicated recovery work.
Perhaps most significantly, Mercedes is in the process of regaining custody of her son – a development that seemed impossible during her active addiction. “Things are going really good. I’m about to get my son back,” she shares with evident joy and gratitude.
A New Beginning
The transformation extends beyond family reunification. Mercedes has not only achieved stability in her own recovery but now works in treatment at JourneyPure, helping others find their way to healing. This full-circle journey from client to staff member exemplifies the profound changes possible through recovery.
“I can talk to my family now, I can maintain employment and maintain friendships,” Mercedes reports, highlighting how recovery has restored multiple areas of her life that addiction had damaged. The simple ability to maintain stable relationships and employment represents a complete transformation from her previous struggle to hold onto anything of value.
The Road to Recovery
Her story serves as a powerful reminder that even after experiencing devastating losses, recovery can open the door to healing and restoration. Mercedes’ journey from losing three children to working in treatment while regaining custody of her son demonstrates that it’s never too late to reclaim what addiction has taken.
For parents struggling with addiction, particularly those who have lost custody of their children, Mercedes’ story offers hope that family reunification is possible through recovery. Her experience shows that with proper treatment and dedication to recovery, it’s possible to rebuild trust and restore family bonds.
Mercedes’ transformation from a life in chaos to one of stability and purpose illustrates the comprehensive nature of recovery. The changes in her life – from employment to relationships to family reunification – demonstrate how professional treatment can help address not just addiction but all aspects of life affected by substance use.
A Message of Hope
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, especially if you’re a parent who has lost or risks losing custody of your children, know that help is available. JourneyPure’s comprehensive treatment program understands the unique challenges faced by parents in recovery and offers the support needed to heal both yourself and your family relationships. Call us at 615-410-9260 to begin your journey to recovery and family restoration. Like Mercedes, you can find the strength to transform your life and rebuild what addiction has taken away.
