Non-Judgmental Treatment Approach Led Emily to Her Recovery Path: Emily’s Story

Non-Judgmental Treatment Approach Led Emily to Her Recovery Path

Growing up with a mother who was addicted to drugs, Emily L. landed in foster care at 15. She struggled with mental health issues like bipolar challenges and social anxiety and started to use heroin and methamphetamine. She was addicted for about 10 years, which included one terrifying 16-hour episode of not being able to walk due to her struggle with heroin.

But for the first three years of her substance abuse, she said, she was a “functioning addict.”

“No one knew,” said Emily, now 32.

It wasn’t until she moved in with her boyfriend that her life rapidly spiraled downward. After he was released from prison, he eventually went on the run. Emily went with him. But at one point she stopped using for almost four years, during which she gave birth to her son. However, it didn’t last.

“I couldn’t stay awake, depression hit and I was emotionally-drained and started using meth again to help me motivate myself,” she said. Emily eventually lost custody of her son, who is now 6, to her mother. When Emily found herself homeless with her boyfriend and he overdosed one day, she called 911. He eventually went back to prison.

“I had no help and was homeless by myself,” she said. “That’s when I knew I couldn’t live that way anymore.”

Emily turned to a drop-in center at Brandywine Counseling & Community Services (BCCS) in Milford where certified peer support specialist Amanda Kuhl was there to help her.

“When I first met Emily, her head was down and she wouldn’t talk, but I stood by her knowing it may take her some time,” said Kuhl. “I understood her and met her where she was emotionally at the time.”

That’s the type of non-judgmental approach that Emily said she needed to take the next step.

“She never pressured me or judged me or forced me to do anything I wasn’t ready to do,” said Emily, who added that all through her rehabilitation program, “Amanda encouraged me and had faith that I could do it. I realized I needed to have faith in myself and tell myself, ‘I’m going to get clean because there is somebody out there who cares.’”

At BCCS, Emily began a Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) program, which uses medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opioid use disorders (OUD). Her treatment began with Methadone to block the high from opioid use. That was followed with Subuxone treatment to relieve cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms, and finally Vivitrol to reduce opioid cravings and the feelings of euphoria associated with opioid use.

“I was off of everything in 99 days,” said Emily. “BCCS gave me what I needed to survive out in the world. This is the strongest I have felt in years.”

Kuhl noted that BCCS made sure Emily had everything she needed to be successful – not just the medication-assisted treatment, but also help with paperwork, laundry supplies, transportation – whatever it took, BCCS was able to provide.

“Emily stood up for herself and told us what she needed. I’m so proud of her. She has grown so much she believes in herself so much,” Kuhl said.

Eager to start her next chapter, Emily now has a job in customer service at a fast- food chain and sees the value of a life without drugs. “I need my safety – and my son – back in my life,” she said. “BCCS helped me get clean. This is the strongest I have felt in years. Every day, I can’t wait to be one more day sober.”