TERROS Helps People Cope, Hope & GET BETTER!
For more information about TERROS programs, services and appointments call (602) 685-6000 ext. 1950 Para asistencia en español, marca (602)685-6000 ext. 1900. If you are in a behavioral health crisis please call Crisis Response Network (CRN) at 602-222-9444.
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Recovery Begins and Erin Becomes a Recovery Coach
Recovery Begins and Erin Becomes a Recovery Coach
Four words changed the lives of a family of four. It was a hot Arizona afternoon - July 3, 2008 to be exact - when Erin, a 22 year old mother of three children, walked into her parent’s home and was met by her father who had found her meth pipe. He calmly said, “Maybe, CPS is right.” The words cut straight to Erin’s heart. The message was clear: perhaps it’s best that Child Protective Services take custody of her children. Her father’s words opened her eyes and she saw she was on the verge of losing her children. That was the day Erin stopped using drugs and became a parent. Four calmly spoken words were taken to heart.
What was different this time? Since the age of 13 Erin had heard her parents urge, plead, beg, and demand that she stop using drugs – to no avail. She heard the words but she didn’t open her eyes and see her reality. Erin’s drug use continued, as well as all the negative things that went with it. Like others in the throes of addiction, Erin was willing to suffer the hurtful consequences of her drug use. But she was not willing to suffer the consequence of losing her children. “I didn’t want to lose my kids over something as stupid as drugs.”
Erin entered a TERROS outpatient treatment program to reinforce her decision to stop using drugs and learn how to live a recovery life. She met Caryn, a TERROS therapist, and stayed in touch with Caryn after treatment, updating her on progress which included completing her GED, attending community college, getting married, holding a part-time job, and – most importantly - being a parent to her son and twin daughters. Two years later, Caryn, aware of Erin’s on-going recovery, recommended that Erin consider becoming a Recovery Coach. In November 2010, Erin began work as a TERROS Recovery Coach. Her new calling is helping others take their first recovery steps. Hard lessons have given Erin the wisdom to guide others into the healthy world of recovery.
