Recovery Spotlight: Reina Bower

MHAAO’s EVOLVE Director shares her powerful story of recovery!

“I am a person in long term recovery and what that means for me is I have not used any mind altering substances for over 10 years (4-1-2010).  The choices I made while in my active drug addiction caused me to spend countless amounts of times in the county jails, being incarcerated 2 times in state prison and losing my children to the Department of Human Services, due to being unable to care for them. 

Through the years of self destruction and self isolation I had lost every ounce of my being and who I was. I lived to use and used to live. I used when I did not want to and was completely hopeless.

While being at Coffee Creek Women's Correctional Institution this last time I was able to get clarity and had a glimmer of hope that there could be a different way of life for me. I attended church and self help recovery groups while inside. I was able to attend a 6 month parenting class and  I successfully completed it. One of the firsts of many things I have completed to date. 

 I was fortunate to have a DHS worker who believed in me when I did not believe in myself and was given yet another opportunity to raise my children. 

After getting released from prison I was able to build a support group of women and immediately was introduced to a Recovery group,  I am still a member of today.

I walked closely next to my parole officer and to my DHS worker after being released from prison. I got involved and I stayed in the middle. I showed up on days I didn’t want too. I surrounded myself with positive people and stayed away from what no longer served the person I was trying so hard to become. 

I eventually learned of Peer Support. I completed a peer support training and was afforded a position in the community to work with other individuals that had walked the same path I had walked. I was able to use my lived experience in a positive way.  I met people where they were, I listened without judgement, and I built relationships with the individuals that I worked with. I built solid foundations with community partners and I gave back selflessly to a community that I had taken so much from. 

I was able to work directly with the Judge that sent me to prison for the last time. I was able to Thank him. That Judge saved my life and is still a huge part of my life today. Through the years I have been able to grow both personally and professionally. I remain open-minded and willing to remain teachable. I may not be exactly where I need to be but I am further then I have ever been. 

I have been afforded another opportunity at life.  I am an example that people can DO RECOVER!”

This is Judge Bloche and I at the National Drug Conference in Anaheim California, the Judge that sent me to prison for the LAST time!