I was addicted for a really long time. I’ve made mistakes, and no one else is to blame for my decisions. But now, I show my kids that I’m here today. I’m not defined by my past.

Magen embodies resiliency. Her addiction took everything from her, until the day she decided that enough was enough. With the support of Live & Learn, she came back from a place of despair to a place of hope and purpose.
At just 15 years old, Magen’s struggle with addiction began. Alcohol, weed, then harder drugs became a means of self-medicating the feelings of worry and anxiety that never ceased. “I was my own worst enemy, stuck in my head worrying about everything. Drugs gave me the promise of an escape.”

Magen’s addiction continued for years. She got pregnant, got married, bought a house, and experienced a period of sobriety. Then, she relapsed. She and her husband sold their house and moved into an extended stay motel to fund their drug habit. Over the years, they had three children, then had them removed and placed in foster care. “The pain of losing my children, that stayed with me.”

Live & Learn helped with:

  • goal setting
  • food and basic needs
  • transportation
  • job search
  • financial literacy workshops
  • education planning

Magen and her husband became homeless for a long time. Living on the streets became even harder when Magen’s husband was put in prison. “I was alone on the streets. I knew I was either going to end up dead or in prison.” Magen found a sober living facility, a safe place that took her in. Women there referred her to Live & Learn.

Over 3 years with Live & Learn, Magen worked unbelievably hard to turn her life around, mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. She secured employment. She kept-up with mental healthcare. She completed a career training program to become a peer support specialist, a certified mental health professional with lived experiences who provides support to individuals with substance use disorder.

Now, Magen has advanced her career and works as a peer support specialist supervisor for individuals leaving prison. She is halfway to earning her bachelor’s degree and plans to pursue a career as an addiction counselor. She is working two jobs, saving to buy a home, and, most importantly, she is rebuilding her relationship with her children, who are now young adults.

I am showing my kids: yes, I’ve made mistakes, but I’m here today, doing better and asking forgiveness. I am trying.

On June 6, 2022   /   Live and Learn Arizona, Success Stories