DORCAS - Breaking The Chain Of Addiction

Dorcas describes her parents as functional alcoholics, but she remembers a fairly happy childhood. Her parents remained married and had 9 children. "Having so many brother and sisters was good and bad," remembers Dorcas. "I always had someone to play with, but I had little time alone with my parents."

Dorcas' family rarely attended church. She didn't even know she had a biblical name until last year. Her troubles with alcohol and drugs began when she dropped out of school in the11th grade. Her parents didn't seem to mind that she was experimenting with smoking and drinking. She went through the job corps program, but drinking interfered with her attempts to build a life for herself.

Eventually, the drinking led to bigger problems. She was arrested for disorderly conduct and petty theft and ended up in jail. "I hated jail. I thought I was going to die," Dorcas explained. "But even though I knew the consequences for my actions, I just couldn't stop drinking."

At 23, she became pregnant. She tried to build a life with her boyfriend and child. She attended MATC, pursued an accounting major, but left school just 3 classes short of a diploma. During this time, she had three more children and also began experimenting with crack cocaine.

In an attempt to break free of her addictions, Dorcas moved to Minnesota. "I was running away, hoping I could leave my problems behind," she said. Her boyfriend followed after her and they continued to use crack. During her years in Minnesota, she had two more children. She tried several times to break free from her addictions, placing her children in foster care each time she entered a 90-day treatment program.

Unable to resist her addictions, Dorcas finally hit rock bottom. She lost her home, her children, and became pregnant once again. This time, she chose abortion.

Next, Dorcas tried Joy House and the Salvation Army. She got a job and a house for three months, but then was sent back to jail for some old tickets. Released nine months later, Dorcas made the move to Hope Street.

At Hope Street, Dorcas found the support she needed to finally break the cycle of addiction. "The other places all tried to get me to talk about what's going on inside of me instead of introducing me to God, " Dorcas explained.

Dorcas accepted the Lord in December of 2000. "I think before I act now, I pray, go to church, and I'm happy. I haven't needed antidepressants for more than a year," she said.

Dorcas has lived clean at Hope Street for more than two years, held the same job for two years, and is hopeful that she will be reunited with her children soon.

Congratulations Dorcas!