People Care by Caring People

Breaking the Pattern of Abuse

Do you know how hard it is to change the cycle of abuse? Totianna does. She is an energetic, out-going, 29 year old mother of three children; and, she knows from personal experience that substance abuse and family violence can follow from one generation to the next. “When I was 13, I told myself I would never let a man hit me. But the painful truth is, I have been hit – more than once - and sometimes I provoked it. And, I have hurt myself with my use of drugs and alcohol.”

Things are changing for Totianna. Her treatment for substance abuse was her first step toward breaking the cycle of repeating what she witnessed as a child. She also needed to be physically separated from the father of her children, “who was my gateway to drugs.” Women’s shelters provided a safe place for her and the children. The shelters also had support groups which Totianna used to strengthen her ability to break the cycle, so her children can have a happier and healthier life growing up than she did.

Totianna’s future looks promising. She and her children just moved into an apartment which they can call their own home. For the past six months she has been working full time as a Recovery Support Specialist at TERROS West Clinic. Recently she began facilitating a recovery support group at the Clinic that provides an opportunity for participants to:

• support each other in recovery.
• learn about community resources and how to connect to them.
• discuss a recovery topic chosen by the group.

Facilitating the group gives Totianna the opportunity to encourage others to make positive changes in their lives. “My recovery gives them hope for a better life.”

It takes courage and strength to raise three children without the benefit of a healthy childhood yourself. Totianna is doing it.

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