Danelle

I had struggled with substance abuse and addiction for 17 years years before coming to Solutions of North Texas. In 2007 I had found myself, once again, dying and on my way to back to prison. You see, jails and prison had started to become a normal thing in my life, and I knew I would die active in my addiction.

When I first wanted to stop, I thought that I just needed to remove myself from “bad” neighborhoods and stay away from people that were living the drug addict lifestyle. But that didn’t work and I would always resort back to drinking. It always became out of control, then I would find myself using again. Then I started abusing prescription drugs. My addiction only got monumentally worse and I eventually went to prison. I was hopeful that the consequence of being incarcerated for a year and a half was enough to keep me on the right track but I was wrong. Shortly after I got out of prison I started using more than I ever had before. What was wrong with me? Had I not learned my lesson? I didn’t understand it because I seemed to have had everything that I needed to set me up for success- supportive family and friends, a job, a nice car, a relationship with someone that really cared about me and a beautiful daughter that needed her mother. Yet I could feel everything slipping away from me as the days went on and my drug addiction escalated. I couldn’t stay sober past a few days. I felt defeated because I knew there was nothing I could do about it.

I am so thankful to Solutions of North Texas for showing me what real life and recovery is supposed to look like. In fact, I so firmly believe in the model that Solutions utilizes, that I work for them now. I am going on my 3rd year as a staff member. It is such an honor to stand alongside this organization as they help others that are still suffering from the disease of addiction. I love each and every one of the precious souls that walks through our doors, because I know their pain; and I know they are so much more than their circumstances. I have had the privilege of watching so many individuals get well here, and I love that I get to be a part of that process. I hope it is a privilege I will retain for many years to come.

Danelle "Dani" Gonzales

July 2011