Lisa’s Story

Lisa has been sober since July of 2006.

It’s been a long journey, but Lisa has been clean for more than a year. A longtime alcoholic, Lisa had been in treatment several times before arriving at Bristlecone. At her worst, the alcoholic was drinking more than two gallons of vodka a day. She had been asked to leave another treatment center. Her husband contracted cat scratch fever and died. Lisa was in a long downward spiral.

She arrived at Bristlecone seeking detoxification services and treatment. She was assessed, admitted to detox, and assigned a primary counselor. Now in Bristlecone’s Transitional Living Program for 13 months, Lisa is working full time and is attending vocational rehabilitation classes. She chairs Bristlecone’s Friday Alumni Meeting for former clients and is attending grief and loss groups through Renown. Lisa is preparing to move into her own apartment in March of 2008 and is proud that she has her life back on track. 

 

 

Natasha’s Story

Natasha is the mother of twin girls. She was notorious for leaving her girls in the care of those people she owed money for drugs. When not watched over by dealers, Natasha’s girls were with their grandmother.

Natasha was a meth user and paid for her habit by delivering drugs for other dealers. She frequently transported large amounts. Her husband went to prison for selling drugs and when he got out, he started dealing again. After her own time in jail, Natasha decided it was time to clean up her life. She didn’t like what her life was about and how her poor choices were impacting her girls.

Natasha came to Bristlecone through the Adult Drug Court Program the agency administers for low-level offenders in Washoe County. Now employed and a single-mother, Natasha is focused on raising her girls who are now six years old. She is setting goals both for herself and her children. She has completed the Adult Drug Court Program and has now been sober for more than three years. She has had the same job as a bus dispatcher for more than two years. She takes pride in herself and the family she has created, teaching her girls to avoid the pitfalls she experienced growing up.

 

 

Maria’s Story

Maria was a 34-year-old Hispanic female who arrived at Bristlecone in October of 2006. The mother of six, Maria was pregnant with her seventh child. She had been through several drug treatment programs in town and had recently discharged from another facility when she came to Bristlecone.

Maria had lost custody of her children and was under the supervision of the Family Drug Court. She started in outpatient treatment and seemed to be doing well. Then she relapsed, and entered residential care at Bristlecone where she stayed for several weeks. In the residential program, Maria attended groups from Bristlecone’s menu of more than 40 per week. She also met with her counselor for frequent one-on-one sessions.

In June, Maria gave birth to a baby girl. Unfortunately, because of her drug use the Family Court put Maria’s new daughter into foster care with her siblings. Maria was allowed only supervised visits. With a few months of sobriety behind her, Maria focused on what she needed to do to get her children back. With her counselor’s guidance, Maria set her goals for recovery and began working toward reuniting her family.

After a few weeks in residential treatment, Maria transferred to outpatient treatment status. She did not have a car and so rode the bus to Bristlecone’s McCarran site for groups and one-on-one sessions. Keeping with the requirements of Family Drug Court, Maria also rode the bus weekly to Bristlecone’s Keystone site for drug testing.

In November, Maria graduated from Family Drug Court and is now involved in Bristlecone’s aftercare program. What a change she has made in a year. She has regained custody of her infant daughter and will have her other children returned to her when her HUD housing application is approved. Maria is attending vocational rehabilitation classes and is working hard to prepare herself to get and maintain a steady job. She now has a driver’s license and is saving money toward the purchase of a car.

Maria’s perseverance and dedication to her recovery is a poignant reminder that treatment works and change is possible. Maria credits her counselor and the dedicated staff of Bristlecone with providing her the safe environment and teaching her the tools to take control of her life and responsibility for her choices. Healthy parents like Maria can raise healthy children.