The Heart of the Matter

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report in a 2023  National Survey on Drug Abuse conducted in the United States, 17% of Americans aged 12 years and older have battled with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). While there are multiple risk factors for developing an addiction to substances, trauma is a leading factor and at the heart of many mental health challenges. Partnership to End Addiction states that children with a history of trauma are 74% more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those without trauma. Likewise, 25%-45% of individuals with PTSD meet the criteria for having a substance use disorder. This complexity of overlapping and co-occurring conditions is why the Henry County Women’s Recovery Center has a priority of getting to the heart of the matter in our women’s journey to restoring wholeness.

LET'S MEET NICHOLE

While most 2 year olds are mastering their environments, conquering mobility issues and forming nurturing family attachments, Nichole was experiencing multiple DCS placements and going back and forth between being in her home and not. Her mother’s addiction lead to physical, mental, emotional abuse and molestation. Her father’s addiction and absence resulted in neglect on his part.  This in and out of the home continued until she was 7 years old when her mother received a jail sentence and her father prison. Unfortunately, the following foster placement did not provide security or nurturing and Nichole was abused and molested.

Without appropriate coping skills and a healthy way to express herself, she turned to self-harm by cutting. Meltdowns occurred when she was overwhelmed and didn’t feel safe to express herself. The message playing in her head was, she was a “bad kid”. Her long-awaited adoptive placement was not the Hallmark movie she or they hoped for. Nichole added vaping and smoking weed to the negative patterns she used to numb the pain from the effects of unresolved trauma.  An unfortunate ending with Nichole’s adoptive family motivated her to get help, and she began her relationship with Henry County Women’s Recovery Center at age 18, where she is working to replace destructive habits and begin her healing journey. Nichole says that since she started her program with Henry County Women’s Recovery Center she has been substance-free, will listen to music or go for a walk to clear her head. She is recognizing her triggers, learning to take thoughts captive, and reducing the negative feedback loop. Nichole has experienced lower levels of anxiety and is learning to express her feelings. She will reach out to a trusted adult rather than engaging in negative coping habits.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that 8 in 10 people with a substance use disorder in 2024 did not receive treatment. You can help change that statistic by supporting  Henry County Women’s Recovery Center, where young women like Nichole do get help with a donation today.

Support Women's Healing

Henry County Women’s Recovery Center, getting to the heart of the matter and supporting women in their journey to wholeness.

PRAY WITH US

Each newsletter, we share three prayer points for the quarter. We believe Jeremiah 29:12 "Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you."

Please join us in prayer for:

1) Wisdom and direction for the new year.

2) Open doors to the places and programs where women are suffering from drug and alcohol addiction.

3) An increase in monthly donors and supporters.

Thank you!