Spirituality + Support System = Recovery
Meet Sorayda.
Growing up in an abusive family, she experienced alcohol and opioid use disorder at a young age. After joining Celebrate Recovery, she bloomed in recovery with her sisters.Â
Growing Up in Hate and Pain
I grew up in a very dysfunctional home. My dad was very abusive with my mom, and my mom was abusive towards me. My dad was an alcoholic and a meth addict. I grew up with so much hate in my heart…This is why I started drinking at the age of 17. Eventually, I became an alcoholic by the age of 21.Â
Experiencing Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder
I had my own apartment at that time. I would drink and smoke cigarettes daily. Then, I started smoking weed everyday and took ecstasy pills on the weekend. Later, I started mixing different pills with alcohol. I ended up in jail for disorderly conduct. After a couple years, I fell into depression and turned to God. I followed God’s direction and joined a program called Celebrate Recovery, a 12 step Christian recovery group. The program helped me get clean.Â
Life After Recovery
Today, I no longer consume any alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. I believe that God worked a miracle in my life to help me become clean and be closer to him. I lead a women’s group called Transformed. I’m married to an amazing man of God who happens to be the Pastor of a church called House of Redemption. We feed the homeless, give food to families in need, and go to shelters and recovery groups. We share our stories to encourage others who are struggling with addiction.
Highs and Lows of Recovery
My journey to recovery has not been easy. I relapsed in the beginning, but that’s when I knew I needed a support group. I had accountability partners, a sponsor, and a mentor who helped me. I joined a church who did not understand addiction. That’s when I relapsed in the beginning as I had no support.
The groundbreaking moment was when I joined Celebrate Recovery. I knew that I was not the only one who struggled with addiction. I got support from other women.
Impact on Black and Brown Women
Opioid addiction happens not only to White women but also to Black and Brown women. Click To Tweet The opioid epidemic didn’t impact communities of color as much, but now I’ve seen more and more Black and Brown women who are struggling with opioid addiction join our recovery group.
If anyone feels like they are facing an opioid use disorder and needs help, please call SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service in English and Spanish.
Recent Stories
Share Your Bloom Story
Share your opioid use disorder recovery story to support the growth of other Black women in California through your experience. We want to see the sister behind you and the sister behind her bloom too.
Bloom Resources for Women
Are you a sister seeking MAT (medication assisted treatment) in California and other opioid addiction treatment resources to start your Bloom journey?
Bloom Resources for Providers
Are you a service or prevention provider seeking resources about MAT in California and other opioid treatments to strengthen your support for Black women blooming?
Sorayda experienced alcohol and opioid use disorder at a young age. After joining Celebrate Recovery, she bloomed in recovery with the support of her sisters.
