Keystone Hall provides hope when life seems hopeless. Many of our clients whose lives are disrupted by substance use disorders find a new sense of purpose and hope after coming to Keystone and receiving the help they need from our caring staff. Here is an excerpt of the story of Kim D., a client who turned her life around after coming to Keystone Hall.
Do you believe in miracles? I do. My name is Kim D. and I am a recovering drug addict.
Not so long ago, I was homeless, hopeless and just wanted to die. I felt like I’d be better off gone because I desperately wanted to stop using drugs and I couldn’t no matter how hard I tried. I felt that I had caused my family more shame than they deserved and I didn’t have the power to do anything about it.
In the state of New Hampshire, there are not many places that help people like me (drug addicts), and for the first time in a year my prayers were answered. I entered Keystone a broken and spiritually sick individual. I stayed there for 11 days, where I waited for a 28 day program. After spending 28 days at a rehabilitation center in Manchester, I moved on to a women’s sober shelter with 40 days clean. I began to feel a bit better, but I soon realized that my problems were far from over.
I did fairly well for a few months and managed to stay clean but I began to start looking at the mess I had created out of my life. I became hopeless and fearful once again. My reality seemed too overwhelming to face alone and I knew in my heart that my clean days were numbered. For the first time in my life I was alone. My marriage was over and my family was leading their own lives. I was facing a lengthy prison sentence and I was scared.
Through the help of a Sister that worked with the women at the shelter, I became empowered to take responsibility for the changes that needed to take place in my life. She helped me walk through some life decisions that needed to be made. She encouraged me to apply for Keystone TLC (Transitional Living Center) program.
The night before the interview, the pressure got the best of me and I used. Through no power of my own I showed up at Keystone and met with Mark, I was accepted but before I left he needed a UA. Knowing that I was about to blow everything I had just been successful at I took the UA. I sat there mentally beating myself up. I said to myself, “What’s the point? You’re a hopeless lowlife drug addict that doesn’t deserve help”.
When I was called into the office and asked to explain why I failed the test (my next miracle) I blurted out that I had used. Much to my surprise being honest worked in my favor. WOW for the first time I wasn’t told to go away. I was told that if I wanted help that I had to go and get my belongings and be back at Keystone in 2 hours.
I have made friendships that will last a lifetime at Keystone Hall. It has saved my life and for that I will be forever grateful. Today I am a woman of honor and dignity and I have Keystone to thank for helping me to find the woman that I have become.
