For what seemed like her entire life, Miranda struggled with self-love. At the age of seven, that struggle manifested itself in an eating disorder. Then later on, Miranda transitioned to abusing alcohol, which resulted in 25 years of excessive drinking.
At 37 years of age, after “many rock bottoms,” Miranda decided to attend treatment.
“I told my mom that I might be dying. I said I needed help,” shared Miranda, who promptly began treatment at a private treatment centre.
Miranda was part-way through her 42-day stay when treatment centre staff suggested she attend a women’s only facility – one that would better meet her specific needs. So, in June 2015, Miranda walked through the doors of Renascent Graham Munro Centre.
“When I got to Renascent, I didn’t like it. That being said it was one of the best things that ever happened to me,” shared Miranda. “I didn’t like that I was being told what I had to do. I thought it was beneath me. I was this selfish, angry, scared little girl. I later realized, what I didn’t like was myself; and that’s why I didn’t like it there,” she added.
At the first treatment centre Miranda attended she was introduced to the Twelve Step Program. At Renascent, she continued to delve deeper into her Twelve Step book study.
Overall, Miranda’s learnings at Renascent were life-changing. She learned about herself, her habits, and how to re-position her thinking so that she would feel empowered to create positive change in her life.
“The most important thing I learned is that I create my own problems. I used to be driven by fear,” shared Miranda. “I learned in actuality, that I am the creator of how my day goes. I learned that at any point in the day, I can check-in with myself and reset.”
Looking back, Miranda credits the Twelve Step Program with helping her remain abstinent for these past eight years.
“Being shown and guided through the Twelve Steps, getting a sponsor, and working a program helped me a lot,” said Miranda. “When I left treatment, I went to all of the Twelve Step meetings I could in a day. All of these actions helped change my life.”
It is a life that is very different today.
“I’m a totally different person. Last year, I started my own cleaning company. I bought a new car, have credit, and am engaged. I have my family back, and I sponsor three women,” said Miranda.
Having struggled with addiction for decades, Miranda holds her recovery dear.
“I have a choice today to not start that insanity over again. It’s an everyday choice that I can make and today, I see the evidence of all of my changes.”
Miranda jokingly tells the story of a friend who she reconnected with while completing her Step 5. The simple interaction is telling of Miranda’s growth.
“There was a friend I made amends to and he said, “Oh, so you drank the Kool-Aid of AA?” I said I did drink the Kool-Aid, and I it was delicious. Now, I have over eight years of evidence that this works for me.”
