The number of women--and men--who are self-medicating because they're survivors of rape would blow people's minds. Millions. Millions & millions & millions. Trauma without healing leads to self-medication. Our culture isn't prepared to acknowledge just how rampant incest, sexual abuse & sexual assault are, & so the victims pay the price. Any survivor & self-medicating person who reads this: you deserve justice & peace. I'm sorry we live in a culture where so few survivors get either. Keep loving yourself, keep putting one foot in front of the other. You can create the life you deserve. Much love from someone who knows.
I was the one who could never get sober. After going to prison with two strikes i decided i really needed to change my life. I couldn't afford another strike. I had to get sober and now have 4 years 8 months.
Congratulations on all your achievements You have done something that is very very hard to do, turning your life along, it takes a lot of strength to do what you did It was nice to read your post
These stories really help. If you think you’re not ready mentally to check into a rehab center, PLEASE watch/listen to these stories. They will definitely open your eyes and hopefully save you’re life. It saved mine. I’m not perfect but I’m trying my best. I’m not sure how long I’ve been sober. I only count my sobriety every 24 hours. 1 day at a time. You can do it I promise.
After 20 plus years and A LOT of LOSS I said enough is enough. The next stop would have been death. I’m 3 years clean and sober and everyday I’m grateful and don’t ever allow myself to get complacent. God is good! We do recover!
I'm in Melbourne Australia and even here drug addiction is found. I've been addicted since 16 and I'm 42 now... just starting my recovery but God damn do I thank Him for putting the good people in my life to have begun this transition cos it ain't easy. Even almost impossible alone... there is always hope though!! These stories do inspire so keep them coming pls.
Love the interviews...I wouldn’t wish addiction on my worst enemy. Shout out to the people who take that first step to get help, it’s harder than people imagine.
My story is scary similar to this… I just celebrated a year sober. I’m 25 &have been a heroin addict since I was 13. Thank you for sharing, it gives me the courage to tell my story. Congratulations girl! We do recover❤️
There is many of us, thank god I went to prison and when I got out I moved by myself to a town that I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t tell any of my friends from the past. Now I have been clean for 8 years. Thank god! When I was in prison my father was diagnosed with cancer and they gave him 18 months maximum to live and I had 4 years left of a five year sentence. About 16 months after diagnosis I was called to the Captains office at Dayton correctional and was told my father passed away. I went back to my cell and cried into my pillow so nobody could hear me that was before they turned it into a woman’s prison and being a male you can’t show emotions in prison. I looked out my window often and I could see the Monday program building. This story matches mine in so many ways.
Lauren, if you’re still reading, I want to tell u how amazing a woman you are. Articulate, smart, beautiful. And an addict. I give you SO much credit for telling the TRUTH about yourself, it is something I just could not do. I KNEW the truth, but would not articulate. The shame was too much. I admire you SO much, I hope the rest of your life is sober. Anything after that is just gravy. God bless you.
I’ll have 6 years on August 31st next Tuesday I have an infant and no family near me so I haven’t been able to get to meetings the way I’d like to so glad I found these I’ve listened to many but Laura gives one hell of a lead it was one of those “That’s just like my story” things so many similarities in active addiction and in recovery I was hanging on every word thanks for sharing your experience strength and hope♥️
I can't quite place my finger on it but this chick rules. It's something about her straight forward, unblinking, honesty. The (to paraphrase) "so that's how I started shooting up... " type statements. Love it.
This is my third time watching this interview. Gives so much motivation and perspective, I just love her story and pure transparency! She is so beautiful inside and out - crazy how it got worse before it got better, but love how she found the light at the end of the tunnel. I get something out of it each time I watch it. Edit: this is the 4th time I watched it and I still get goose bumps. Praise God on her turn around! We do recover! ❤️
I wish my big sis had recovered I stopped drinking at the first warning of fatty liver nearly two years ago unfortunately my poor sister was a lot further on and addicted she passed away six weeks ago I’m devastated especially as I know if she wanted it enough she could have done it with my support.
@@jacquelinehunt7794I'm so terribly sorry to hear this!! Praying for peace for you and your family! I am thankful that you did make the right choices and now can live life to the fullest knowing not everyone overcomes their battles! Hearing this about your sister was a serious wake up call for me. I unfortunately relapsed and your comment truly touched my heart! I hope your sister can rest easy knowing she changed even just one life, mine! ❤
More and more studies are leading the way to childhood trauma being the lead cause of addiction, that trauma can start as early as while the child is in the mothers womb. Addiction is a nightmare that effects the whole family. it may only be one person using but it is the whole family who suffers. Functional alcoholic just means there was no real big upsets in the home over alcohol consumption, but little boys and girls need a role model, quality time spent with them, a father (step father) role to tell them how special they are, and pick them up an whirl them around the room sometimes. Otherwise they are just there, just existing and indifferent to everyone around them, usually taking up moms attention someway or another. We know that story well. Super proud of Laura Ragle for speaking out. Thank you!
I'm a recovering addict and an AOD Youth Counsellor, these videos help remind me where I come from, and help me connect with what my clients are experiencing ❤Thankyou Laura
Sad that this young woman thinks her alcoholic father was ok and that her home life was ok.Something was wrong. Alcoholics are not “ present” for their families, so I will guess she was neglected, but that was her “ normal” .It was very brave of her for sharing her story. I am grateful and better for hearing it. Thank you. I pray for her continuing recovery.
There's no such thing as a "functioning alcoholic." That's what people tell themselves to excuse their own or someone else's addiction and minimize it. There is nothing "functioning" about your internal organs shutting down. I should know, I was what some people call a "functioning" alcoholic for many years. No legal issues, didn't hurt or abuse other people, and have had a steady career for a long time, but I was killing myself all the same. You're nothing without your health.
Great story. Not a lot of people have loving, supporting parents (not to mention your own house waiting for you when you are released to real life). What a wonderful opportunity. It should be that way for everyone.
This story is truly amazing 💖 I myself am in recovery now thank god but was wondering how I could maybe tell my story my story is like most but also very different I have been through quite a bit in my life as we all have would love to tell my story and help someone else
The unbelievable level of selfishness and destruction is just beyond words here. Those parents, call them enablers or not, were nothing short of angels, hanging faithfully in the trenches for all those years ❤. So very happy to know it all worked out in the end.
AMAZING. I really do believe we can all do it. All of us. Thank you for sharing your story that I really needed to hear. Finally someone who understands us.
A small detail of this testimony that I noticed is that Laura says her "world crashed" multiple times; each situation she feels this way in is more serious than the last. That strikes me as so authentic to many people's stories with addiction.
My first public comment .. Thankyou for ur truthful life story. I'm the same as your mum enabling with love . Your story our story that hasn't stopped. I pray it will for my child's safe recovery an others.thankyou bless you
Amazing story. Although I do have to say, it must be nice to have so many that care so much about you. I don't have these mindsets because I know if I were to make these choices, I'd be 100% on my own from the onset. Nobody would help me, bail me out, give me money, give me a place to stay, etc. Heck, I'm a college graduate, own a house, have a career, and still no one really cares other than my kids.
I agree with you.She was very lucky to be surrounded by so much love .I hope you'll soon be surrounded by more people who love you in the future even if the love of your kids is already priceless.
same here. for instance when I was pospitalised bc my ex found me when I try to commit suicide with my Mather's morphine tabletts and loots of benzos. NOBODY visited me at the hospital for 2 weeks or so. I had a horrible period of my life ( my mom died in cancer, my ex was cheating me and took my 💸 from my bank a/c, I was fed up at the Ministry I worked from double faced ppl and I was in a deep depression period). I had no my own PJ's, no money or cigarette 🚬. I was all alone and I was not able to anything, my heart was broken into million pieces.
@@ClareSwit’s very painfull to see a loved one in hospital like that my mum and I always messaged her phoned her she slagged the staff and the food of all the time it gets too much went she went home to her lovely flat we saw her all the time as we loved her so much she still carried on after some time just kept going back to the vodka she passed away recently all alone despite us offering to visit her she refused to let us in I’m heartbroken at her loss.
Laura, you are a champ! thank you for sharing. I'm trying to learn what people's experiences are to help me understand why my daughter is using meth on a daily basis.
You are amazing, if you can get over all of that seriously then I have to be able to get over my issues too, thank you for sharing your story, and stay strong
Well obviously? Was she supposed to lie? And a lot of the things she said I'm sure she knows it was wrong now that she looks back on it. Drugs do a lot to people and their mind
What an incredible story. She is living proof that no matter how hard you hit rock bottom, there is always hope. In fact you usually have to hit absolute rock bottom before you realize that you do in fact have choices.
My name is Christie and I'm a recovering addict. My sobriety birthday is May 19, 2021 so I have 72 days clean today. When I happened upon this video this morning I had been thinking that a lot of stories were very hopeful but I had a hard time relating, and I really wanted to relate to a speaker. When Laura started off by saying she had a good childhood, that gave me pause. Then when she said she was raped at 15 wow...how odd because so was I. It was an act of God that I listened to this speaker of all the thousands I could have chosen because I would say that about 75% of her story and emotions and interactions with family and law enforcement were exactly what I went through. It was as if someone else was telling my story. I grew up in Franklin County, Ohio and, had I not moved to Colorado in 1998, if we weren't best friends it could have been me...it would have been me. And lately, I've been struggling with wanting to give back but not knowing how or if working with other addicts would just throw me back into a relapse like it had before. Well, when she mentioned that it was the counselor who could relate on that deep and personal level that saved her life, the truth is that I have had the same experience as the "benefit of one addict helping another is without parallel."(or something along those lines-don't have my big book on me) What I love so much about my current treatment facility is that everyone on the staff is recovering from addiction so why would I not want to be able to help someone the way I've been helped?! The clarity I've gotten just from listening to Laura speak is bananas 🍌!! Thank you so much Laura and Shane for posting this video. The depth to which your words touched my heart is immeasurable and I am so grateful today for you.
I never thought I could do it. I'm 4yrs clean & in the past I had a hard time staying 4mins clean. I can't believe it I use today to die cuz I thought I was gonna be like that for the rest of my life. I know how U feel my parents are the same way
Your story is 90% mine. But Methadone saved my whole entire life. At first I was still gripped by addiction..but some time went on I just stopped getting cravings when we finally got my dose right. I have nothing bad to say about methadone. It helped me get my family and life back. Thank you GOD. ALSO...why on Gods beautiful Earth would the store clerk stand infront of a car she knows is going to drive off. That was stupid on her part...trying to be the hero.
It’s fascinating and harrowing to see how people from rough upbringings often describe their childhoods as “normal”. Even Laura thinks she had an “ideal” childhood. There is nothing ideal about going into hiding at age 2 to escape from your abusive alcoholic father. Nothing is ideal about your stepfather being a functioning alcoholic. Really sad to see what some people consider good circumstances, but it also highlights the resilience of the human spirit.
Encounter ministry helped me replacing addiction with Jesus words and getting to know about how to feel love forgiveness recognize ur weaknesses and strength ! I'm just talking to myself. I still have days of doubts and struggles I started my journey Nov 2nd 2021 .... I pray Father God give each and everyone of us the strength and wisdom to get through this day and nourish us with ur word as u do with the food and water I invite you to please be with us guide us and that we can use me to help , inspire , bring love , joy and hope . And for the life u let me live with happy days and for all the sad and rough times angry emotions so that I can submit my life to you O Lord and that u can use me to ur will I pray this all in Jesus name Amen!
Thank you for telling your story. Identify with what you for saying. It helped me a great deal. Congratulations for the 4 years you have. Keep up the good work!!!
I kinda feel like her parents should have sat in jail for her mistakes since they would continue to bail her out knowing she was out of control. This coming from an addict, Not someone who has no idea what an addiction is like!
It amazes me how distorted the brain becomes on drugs and alcohol. I am starting to understand that addiction is an illness. I'm still surprised how many people say "peer" pressure makes them start using. Glad she made it out of addiction and is in recovery.
i do not think her parents were "enablers". Her parents were not drug addicts.. they were not from that world. They did not understand drug addiction at all. That would have been circa 2010. TH-cam was not big yet, the iPhone came out in 2007 so the information was not out there. If her parents had known better, they would have done things differently. I am really grateful to TH-cam and to NA . TH-cam and Na are really helping the family members of addicts to learn how to help the addicts. Thank You Shane Reinert and Laura Ragle to share your story. It really helps especially because of covid, we are very isolated. Thank You so very much.
This lady is quite well spoken an intelligent. Imagine if all that determination, creativity, and intelligence had been used for the good of humanity? Now she has the chance. I really like her. I hope she finds Jesus.
Heroin is one thing I could never bring myself to try. Given when I was a teen and young adult, it wasn't around like it is now. Heroin was something you saw people doing in movies, or something only people on skid row or some place like that did. Can't believe how common it is now.
My daughter’s father was rapping her at the age of 11 and giving her drugs and alcohol. She is a drug addicted and alcoholic I hired an intervention to have her go to treatment..I had to kick her out of the house hoping she will go to therapy. She has been in therapy for 10 years but hasn’t gone for 5 years. If anyone has gone through this and did something that worked to help my adult child would be much appreciated. She reminds me so much of my daughter. My daughter also does meth
I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. Unfortunately, parents can go to the ends of the Earth for their kids, but if they don't want to stop using and put in the work, it doesn't matter what you do. Continue loving but not enabling. Set boundaries like you have and continue to offer help. I pray one day she clings to that. Now days you can look into getting court ordered treatment for her depending on the state. That might be something to look into. ❤️🩹
Wow what a story. It just shows how addiction can go from a minor problem to a major problem, in a very very short space of time, and a big problem not just for the addict but wider society, and how substance abuse can change a good person into a bad person with absolutely no morality, willing to steal off own parents, rob anyone, and even run people down in a car and not care if they're alive or dead. I'm fascinated by addictions and what makes an addict an addict. It seems some people can use and even abuse substances, whether alcohol or heroin even, and not get addicted..they can stop and start and use occasionally...but others, they can't even use once else they're stuck in an addiction cycle which is very very hard to stop and often leads to other addictions, further reinforcing the addiction cycle and making it harder to get your life back on track. I think some people are just 'wired' for addiction, their brains are more likely to be affected by substance dependency and also personalities, some, are more likely to be addictive personality types. It's not a weakness I think there's a biological basis for it. To anyone suffering with addiction right, the first step is admitting to yourself and then someone, anyone, you have an addiction problem, and seeking professional support and help, just like you would if you had any illness or affliction, you go to a doctor right? There are services out there and good people, often former addicts are the best people to help break serious addictions as they've been through it all and come out the other side successfully. It's not easy to do but it can be done as all these stories demonstrate.
Store clerks are so stupid when they try to be heros for stuff that's not even there's I don't feel sorry for the clerk that got hit.i wouldn't have told on myself or my friends smh get a lawyer never let guilt run threw your mouth but she's a girl I knew she was gone talk her way into jail.
I Have been taking Oxycodone prescribed for 15 yrs and I am over it , so hard to quit. Down to 80---90-Mg's per Day, Never did the "H" I am 67 yrs old so its hard asa I Own a Pest Control Co. , of which requires some labor from me, its not hard core I am Not Roofing a house by any means. It is labor , but not hard core.
Ahh Bless her little cotton socks, I can listen to her talk all day, It's like meeting up with your little sister and listening to her problems.. I see a role for her on TV somewhere in the future..
From a deep impenetrable sinking sadness to true hopefulness. Great story. So her father lived waay longer than 6-12 months to see her turn around? Idk about higher powers but sounds about right. One day at a time.
Always stunned to see how quickly some people go from full blown addicts to being drug counselors. I would be curious to see if this is a good or a bad thing. I have difficulties understanding how it's not triggering to be around addicts after such a short amount of time being clean/sober.
Because people who are drug counselors have a good amount of clean time and are working with addicts to help them get clean and sober and be the one to tell them they aren’t a piece of shit, they can overcome this and how they are worth it.. it would be different if they were around addicts using all these drugs. I have a year clean &would love to help other addicts one day. I’m in AZ &you have to have 2+ years (I believe) to work in a rehab, detox, ect..
I'm a recovering addict and a drug counsellor, it was a requirement of my job that I have lived experience. It can be triggering but I have a very solid amount of clean time and practise good self care.
The amount of car accidents??!! 🚙 I'm in NZ CAR accidents are like YOUR F**FED. We give real time to bad drivers down here. This woman would of done 6 years for that first one whel she hit the security guard, let a lone the next how ever many. Pleased she is OK now. Best of luck. I'm an addict in recovery too so I DO KNOW WGAT YOU ARE SAYING OK. Much love. Q
Alot of addicts use to try and forget the things they wish they don't remember 😢. She lived those days 1000 times over I'd wager. Happy she's living better days now and most of all better memories.
By looking at her you wouldn't tell, definitely a feisty young woman. I thoungh I heard them all but going to college to be a drug counsellor on a full blown addiction..? Wow. I know she didn't go into details, but lots of pain and hurts there. My hat off tho her mom. This also proves that even if underfunded state programs can work; and in this particular case religion isn't involved. Nice one
Listening to Laura's story more closely, it's almost like some addicts behaviour and decision-making will change to not only support the habit/addiction cycle, but also to prevent the consequences of it i.e. jail or running out of drugs and withdrawals. Take Laura's example, she drove under the influence of heroin not once, but twice, and had two serious accidents which broke her back, twice, landing her in months of hospital treatment and recovery. These incidents both occurred while she was on trial for theft and running someone over in a vehicle. It's like she deliberately did that to avoid going to jail and to continue using/getting access to pain meds. I don't think it's mere coincidence this happened twice while she was on trial and knowing she was almost certainly facing a lengthy prison sentence in a federal prison without access to drugs most likely. She may not have made a conscious decision to get behind the wheel under the influence and deliberately crash her vehicle, but subconsciously I think that's what was going on, and she took a 80/20 risk basically. It was very likely she would have an accident and most people would realise that (even drug addicts) but when you have other pressures and threats to your addiction cycle, it's like the subconscious part of the brain takes over and rational thinking is suspended. When you're caught in addiction cycle or a serious addict under the influence, all rational thinking and judgement goes out of the window. You will do the most dangerous things and it will seem fine, there's no self-preservation mechanism or any moral thought for others anymore.
Paul I'm an addict in recovery, part of her shearing, like the driving part, is common ground for a lots of us who's been thru that path; and as much as I agree about the subconscious part of our brains been always at work, I don't agree with what you saying about doing and action with the hope that something bad wiil happen to us,or at least not while driving. When you decide to drive high, you think you'll make it to where you're supposed to go. Lost of consciousness hits you in a second. It happened to me and to lots of friends, to realise that you need to pull over, and while you attempt to doing it safely by finding a safe spot..then Bang you fall asleep or OD (the worse scenario) without realising it. This is my personal experience.
Wow...wow...wow! What a truly inspirational woman! This story was told so incredibly well that I was literally hanging off every single word! An exceptional story. Congratulations ❤❤❤
It takes what it takes. Some people might seem hopeless, and when their reputation precedes them, a prejudice based on mean-spirited nothingness might lock them down and take away any reasonable opportunity for their necessary spiritual surrender to take root and grow. Fairness in this immense world is not really a thing in regards to the hands people are dealt, from birth to death. That kind of fair is unreal. Fair is the weather. Fair is a state event where there are rides and con men; winners and losers. Fair is a pretty face. But if one expects it in life, then one should think again. This was a story!
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Update on Laura! th-cam.com/video/5lzNuH209cc/w-d-xo.html
Omg that was a great recovery story ❤
The number of women--and men--who are self-medicating because they're survivors of rape would blow people's minds. Millions. Millions & millions & millions. Trauma without healing leads to self-medication. Our culture isn't prepared to acknowledge just how rampant incest, sexual abuse & sexual assault are, & so the victims pay the price.
Any survivor & self-medicating person who reads this: you deserve justice & peace. I'm sorry we live in a culture where so few survivors get either. Keep loving yourself, keep putting one foot in front of the other. You can create the life you deserve. Much love from someone who knows.
And it's just as prevalent in the so-called "decent" families.
I was the one who could never get sober. After going to prison with two strikes i decided i really needed to change my life. I couldn't afford another strike. I had to get sober and now have 4 years 8 months.
and are you happy with it??
Congratulations 💓 stay strong it will pay off ❣️
Chris Graves congratulations ❤️
That’s awesome man
Congratulations on all your achievements
You have done something that is very very hard to do, turning your life along, it takes a lot of strength to do what you did
It was nice to read your post
Thank you for sharing.💕So glad you figured it out. Praise the Lord! 🙌
These stories really help. If you think you’re not ready mentally to check into a rehab center, PLEASE watch/listen to these stories. They will definitely open your eyes and hopefully save you’re life. It saved mine. I’m not perfect but I’m trying my best. I’m not sure how long I’ve been sober. I only count my sobriety every 24 hours. 1 day at a time. You can do it I promise.
Laura, you are beautiful. Thank you for your brutal honesty. I am so glad you are clean and that you shared your story.
After 20 plus years and A LOT of LOSS I said enough is enough. The next stop would have been death. I’m 3 years clean and sober and everyday I’m grateful and don’t ever allow myself to get complacent. God is good! We do recover!
I'm in Melbourne Australia and even here drug addiction is found. I've been addicted since 16 and I'm 42 now... just starting my recovery but God damn do I thank Him for putting the good people in my life to have begun this transition cos it ain't easy. Even almost impossible alone... there is always hope though!! These stories do inspire so keep them coming pls.
Well done I wish my sister could have done that.
❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🕊🕊🕊
Love the interviews...I wouldn’t wish addiction on my worst enemy. Shout out to the people who take that first step to get help, it’s harder than people imagine.
Obviously, you don’t have true enemies.
You wish the worst on them.
It’s horrible to see a loved one go through that .
Serenity! ❤ I love that!
Man ur parents r such angels, it’s crazy the thought process of an addict. What a crazy story! Thanks for sharing.
My story is scary similar to this… I just celebrated a year sober. I’m 25 &have been a heroin addict since I was 13. Thank you for sharing, it gives me the courage to tell my story. Congratulations girl! We do recover❤️
Give us a update!??? Are u still clean???
Hi, that's brilliant. We do recover ❤
Still good ? 3 yrs. Still alive ?
There is many of us, thank god I went to prison and when I got out I moved by myself to a town that I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t tell any of my friends from the past. Now I have been clean for 8 years. Thank god! When I was in prison my father was diagnosed with cancer and they gave him 18 months maximum to live and I had 4 years left of a five year sentence. About 16 months after diagnosis I was called to the Captains office at Dayton correctional and was told my father passed away. I went back to my cell and cried into my pillow so nobody could hear me that was before they turned it into a woman’s prison and being a male you can’t show emotions in prison. I looked out my window often and I could see the Monday program building. This story matches mine in so many ways.
Hope all is well brother!! What a touching story 😢
I now have 7 months clean. Rehab worked
Absolutely crazy story! The strength to turn your life around after all this is really inspiring. It’s never too late
What an amazing story. So glad you survived and are in recovery ❤️🩹
Lauren, if you’re still reading, I want to tell u how amazing a woman you are. Articulate, smart, beautiful. And an addict. I give you SO much credit for telling the TRUTH about yourself, it is something I just could not do. I KNEW the truth, but would not articulate. The shame was too much. I admire you SO much, I hope the rest of your life is sober. Anything after that is just gravy. God bless you.
I’ll have 6 years on August 31st next Tuesday I have an infant and no family near me so I haven’t been able to get to meetings the way I’d like to so glad I found these I’ve listened to many but Laura gives one hell of a lead it was one of those “That’s just like my story” things so many similarities in active addiction and in recovery I was hanging on every word thanks for sharing your experience strength and hope♥️
How's the baby?
Are you still sober it's August 31st?
The fact that's she's alive, is a testimony to the glory of God
Shes a testimont to herself , inner strength, hard yards and insight into herself , learning how to live and be a good person without dope .
I can't quite place my finger on it but this chick rules. It's something about her straight forward, unblinking, honesty. The (to paraphrase) "so that's how I started shooting up... " type statements. Love it.
Great share, so very honest, thank you, I am now 18 months clean from the booze
This is my third time watching this interview. Gives so much motivation and perspective, I just love her story and pure transparency! She is so beautiful inside and out - crazy how it got worse before it got better, but love how she found the light at the end of the tunnel. I get something out of it each time I watch it.
Edit: this is the 4th time I watched it and I still get goose bumps. Praise God on her turn around! We do recover! ❤️
I wish my big sis had recovered I stopped drinking at the first warning of fatty liver nearly two years ago unfortunately my poor sister was a lot further on and addicted she passed away six weeks ago I’m devastated especially as I know if she wanted it enough she could have done it with my support.
@@jacquelinehunt7794I'm so terribly sorry to hear this!! Praying for peace for you and your family! I am thankful that you did make the right choices and now can live life to the fullest knowing not everyone overcomes their battles!
Hearing this about your sister was a serious wake up call for me. I unfortunately relapsed and your comment truly touched my heart! I hope your sister can rest easy knowing she changed even just one life, mine! ❤
Incredible how much she has been through and survived.
Thank you for this.
Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you good health.❤
More and more studies are leading the way to childhood trauma being the lead cause of addiction, that trauma can start as early as while the child is in the mothers womb. Addiction is a nightmare that effects the whole family. it may only be one person using but it is the whole family who suffers.
Functional alcoholic just means there was no real big upsets in the home over alcohol consumption, but little boys and girls need a role model, quality time spent with them, a father (step father) role to tell them how special they are, and pick them up an whirl them around the room sometimes. Otherwise they are just there, just existing and indifferent to everyone around them, usually taking up moms attention someway or another. We know that story well. Super proud of Laura Ragle for speaking out. Thank you!
I'm a recovering addict and an AOD Youth Counsellor, these videos help remind me where I come from, and help me connect with what my clients are experiencing ❤Thankyou Laura
The hero of this story is her Mom. Wow, what a woman! Bless her heart.
That family dollar employee had no business standing in front of the car. Risking her life for a 8 dollars an hour...ridiculous.
And she probably got fired after that because technically employees are not supposed to follow people out of the store or physically stop them.
I'm speechless. Unbelievable that she survived all that. Good for her. God bless her!
She has brilliant insight
Sad that this young woman thinks her alcoholic father was ok and that her home life was ok.Something was wrong. Alcoholics are not “ present” for their families, so I will guess she was neglected, but that was her “ normal” .It was very brave of her for sharing her story. I am grateful and better for hearing it. Thank you. I pray for her continuing recovery.
There's no such thing as a "functioning alcoholic." That's what people tell themselves to excuse their own or someone else's addiction and minimize it. There is nothing "functioning" about your internal organs shutting down. I should know, I was what some people call a "functioning" alcoholic for many years. No legal issues, didn't hurt or abuse other people, and have had a steady career for a long time, but I was killing myself all the same. You're nothing without your health.
@@mplslawnguy3389 functioning is what some people call it before the shit hits the fan and the families world is ripped apart
That made her mother Co-Dependent. I hope She is doing well.
Great story. Not a lot of people have loving, supporting parents (not to mention your own house waiting for you when you are released to real life). What a wonderful opportunity. It should be that way for everyone.
My sister had al that but it wasent enough her flat was luxury.
Should it though? Some people (most) end up abusing and using their family to the degree that their family is suffering.
Another miracle, that’s what keeps me coming back. Thank you for this powerful share!
This story is truly amazing 💖 I myself am in recovery now thank god but was wondering how I could maybe tell my story my story is like most but also very different I have been through quite a bit in my life as we all have would love to tell my story and help someone else
The unbelievable level of selfishness and destruction is just beyond words here. Those parents, call them enablers or not, were nothing short of angels, hanging faithfully in the trenches for all those years ❤. So very happy to know it all worked out in the end.
Wow!! What a story! I’m so grateful that you’re in recovery and giving back to others🥰. Congratulations ✌️👏🌹
That was an amazing testimony, I'm so proud of you.
Your testimony is incredible. Congratulations on your recovery and the new life goals. Very inspiring!
AMAZING. I really do believe we can all do it. All of us. Thank you for sharing your story that I really needed to hear. Finally someone who understands us.
“Going to the pawn job like it’s my day job”….wow wow wow
A great story so glad I clicked this
Terrifying when you wake up, have no money and the sickness is mounting up around you like quicksand.
The worst.
Described perfectly
Yep so very horrible. ALmost 6yrs clean!
People have no idea how bad withdrawal is. There is no describing it.
A small detail of this testimony that I noticed is that Laura says her "world crashed" multiple times; each situation she feels this way in is more serious than the last. That strikes me as so authentic to many people's stories with addiction.
now thats an awesome testimonial, congratulations Laura on 4 years in recovery
Her story is WILD!!! This should be a movie!
Movie ?
Yes it should be a movie!!
My first public comment .. Thankyou for ur truthful life story. I'm the same as your mum enabling with love . Your story our story that hasn't stopped. I pray it will for my child's safe recovery an others.thankyou bless you
So much pain in this story. Heroin is a trap for your soul
Wow what a success story! If she can get thru all that you can to! Thank you for sharing this unbelievable amazing story and you’re a beautiful woman!
Amazing story. Although I do have to say, it must be nice to have so many that care so much about you. I don't have these mindsets because I know if I were to make these choices, I'd be 100% on my own from the onset. Nobody would help me, bail me out, give me money, give me a place to stay, etc. Heck, I'm a college graduate, own a house, have a career, and still no one really cares other than my kids.
I agree with you.She was very lucky to be surrounded by so much love .I hope you'll soon be surrounded by more people who love you in the future even if the love of your kids is already priceless.
same here. for instance when I was pospitalised bc my ex found me when I try to commit suicide with my Mather's morphine tabletts and loots of benzos. NOBODY visited me at the hospital for 2 weeks or so. I had a horrible period of my life ( my mom died in cancer, my ex was cheating me and took my 💸 from my bank a/c, I was fed up at the Ministry I worked from double faced ppl and I was in a deep depression period). I had no my own PJ's, no money or cigarette 🚬. I was all alone and I was not able to anything, my heart was broken into million pieces.
@@ClareSwit’s very painfull to see a loved one in hospital like that my mum and I always messaged her phoned her she slagged the staff and the food of all the time it gets too much went she went home to her lovely flat we saw her all the time as we loved her so much she still carried on after some time just kept going back to the vodka she passed away recently all alone despite us offering to visit her she refused to let us in I’m heartbroken at her loss.
Laura, you are a champ! thank you for sharing. I'm trying to learn what people's experiences are to help me understand why my daughter is using meth on a daily basis.
I feel so guilty about the impact my drug use had on my parents...as hard as addiction is on the addict I think it's worse on the parents.
These are like AA style meetings where people share. I commend the people for sharing their life.
You are amazing, if you can get over all of that seriously then I have to be able to get over my issues too, thank you for sharing your story, and stay strong
I love how honest she is about her manipulative behaviors. ❤️
You have to if you are to have a chance of changing it
But yeah it takes courage
Well obviously? Was she supposed to lie? And a lot of the things she said I'm sure she knows it was wrong now that she looks back on it. Drugs do a lot to people and their mind
What an incredible story. She is living proof that no matter how hard you hit rock bottom, there is always hope. In fact you usually have to hit absolute rock bottom before you realize that you do in fact have choices.
My name is Christie and I'm a recovering addict. My sobriety birthday is May 19, 2021 so I have 72 days clean today. When I happened upon this video this morning I had been thinking that a lot of stories were very hopeful but I had a hard time relating, and I really wanted to relate to a speaker. When Laura started off by saying she had a good childhood, that gave me pause. Then when she said she was raped at 15 wow...how odd because so was I. It was an act of God that I listened to this speaker of all the thousands I could have chosen because I would say that about 75% of her story and emotions and interactions with family and law enforcement were exactly what I went through. It was as if someone else was telling my story. I grew up in Franklin County, Ohio and, had I not moved to Colorado in 1998, if we weren't best friends it could have been me...it would have been me. And lately, I've been struggling with wanting to give back but not knowing how or if working with other addicts would just throw me back into a relapse like it had before. Well, when she mentioned that it was the counselor who could relate on that deep and personal level that saved her life, the truth is that I have had the same experience as the "benefit of one addict helping another is without parallel."(or something along those lines-don't have my big book on me) What I love so much about my current treatment facility is that everyone on the staff is recovering from addiction so why would I not want to be able to help someone the way I've been helped?! The clarity I've gotten just from listening to Laura speak is bananas 🍌!! Thank you so much Laura and Shane for posting this video. The depth to which your words touched my heart is immeasurable and I am so grateful today for you.
Thank you for watching and sharing
I couldn’t help but think about the agony that the mother was experiencing. Both her husband and daughter were in full blown suicidal addiction.
Thank you so much Laura , sharing the Reality.
Your awesome,!
I never thought I could do it. I'm 4yrs clean & in the past I had a hard time staying 4mins clean. I can't believe it I use today to die cuz I thought I was gonna be like that for the rest of my life. I know how U feel my parents are the same way
Thank U for sharing. God bless U & yours.
Your story is 90% mine. But Methadone saved my whole entire life. At first I was still gripped by addiction..but some time went on I just stopped getting cravings when we finally got my dose right. I have nothing bad to say about methadone. It helped me get my family and life back. Thank you GOD. ALSO...why on Gods beautiful Earth would the store clerk stand infront of a car she knows is going to drive off. That was stupid on her part...trying to be the hero.
Amazing story could be a movie wow u went through a lot. Great work on getting sober and helping others so amazing great work
Wow, what a story. Thanks for sharing.
It’s fascinating and harrowing to see how people from rough upbringings often describe their childhoods as “normal”. Even Laura thinks she had an “ideal” childhood. There is nothing ideal about going into hiding at age 2 to escape from your abusive alcoholic father. Nothing is ideal about your stepfather being a functioning alcoholic. Really sad to see what some people consider good circumstances, but it also highlights the resilience of the human spirit.
That’s one amazing story!!!!! I don’t know you but I am sooo sooo proud of what your doing now!!!!
❤Amen, so glad you shared with us❤
can't understand why anyone would stand in front of a car during a robbery getaway.
Amazing interview ❤❤ wow!!!!!
Encounter ministry helped me replacing addiction with Jesus words and getting to know about how to feel love forgiveness recognize ur weaknesses and strength ! I'm just talking to myself. I still have days of doubts and struggles I started my journey Nov 2nd 2021 .... I pray Father God give each and everyone of us the strength and wisdom to get through this day and nourish us with ur word as u do with the food and water I invite you to please be with us guide us and that we can use me to help , inspire , bring love , joy and hope . And for the life u let me live with happy days and for all the sad and rough times angry emotions so that I can submit my life to you O Lord and that u can use me to ur will I pray this all in Jesus name Amen!
Thank you for telling your story. Identify with what you for saying. It helped me a great deal. Congratulations for the 4 years you have. Keep up the good work!!!
I kinda feel like her parents should have sat in jail for her mistakes since they would continue to bail her out knowing she was out of control. This coming from an addict, Not someone who has no idea what an addiction is like!
Why would anyone give this a thumbs down? Ew!
Awesome story!
I can't imagine anyone giving her a thumbs down! That's crazy!
Wow. Ah-MAZING!!!
It amazes me how distorted the brain becomes on drugs and alcohol. I am starting to understand that addiction is an illness. I'm still surprised how many people say "peer" pressure makes them start using. Glad she made it out of addiction and is in recovery.
🙏
i do not think her parents were "enablers". Her parents were not drug addicts.. they were not from that world. They did not understand drug addiction at all. That would have been circa 2010. TH-cam was not big yet, the iPhone came out in 2007 so the information was not out there. If her parents had known better, they would have done things differently. I am really grateful to TH-cam and to NA . TH-cam and Na are really helping the family members of addicts to learn how to help the addicts. Thank You Shane Reinert and Laura Ragle to share your story. It really helps especially because of covid, we are very isolated. Thank You so very much.
This lady is quite well spoken an intelligent. Imagine if all that determination, creativity, and intelligence had been used for the good of humanity? Now she has the chance. I really like her. I hope she finds Jesus.
Just when you think your life is fucked up listen to her story!#🤘🏻#GoGirl#Sobriety
Thank you for sharing your story!! Very encouraging!!C.Bell
Heroin is one thing I could never bring myself to try. Given when I was a teen and young adult, it wasn't around like it is now. Heroin was something you saw people doing in movies, or something only people on skid row or some place like that did. Can't believe how common it is now.
My daughter’s father was rapping her at the age of 11 and giving her drugs and alcohol. She is a drug addicted and alcoholic I hired an intervention to have her go to treatment..I had to kick her out of the house hoping she will go to therapy. She has been in therapy for 10 years but hasn’t gone for 5 years. If anyone has gone through this and did something that worked to help my adult child would be much appreciated. She reminds me so much of my daughter. My daughter also does meth
I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. Unfortunately, parents can go to the ends of the Earth for their kids, but if they don't want to stop using and put in the work, it doesn't matter what you do. Continue loving but not enabling. Set boundaries like you have and continue to offer help. I pray one day she clings to that.
Now days you can look into getting court ordered treatment for her depending on the state. That might be something to look into. ❤️🩹
Laura you are an amazing woman! Very inspiring and brave.
Wow what a story. It just shows how addiction can go from a minor problem to a major problem, in a very very short space of time, and a big problem not just for the addict but wider society, and how substance abuse can change a good person into a bad person with absolutely no morality, willing to steal off own parents, rob anyone, and even run people down in a car and not care if they're alive or dead.
I'm fascinated by addictions and what makes an addict an addict. It seems some people can use and even abuse substances, whether alcohol or heroin even, and not get addicted..they can stop and start and use occasionally...but others, they can't even use once else they're stuck in an addiction cycle which is very very hard to stop and often leads to other addictions, further reinforcing the addiction cycle and making it harder to get your life back on track. I think some people are just 'wired' for addiction, their brains are more likely to be affected by substance dependency and also personalities, some, are more likely to be addictive personality types. It's not a weakness I think there's a biological basis for it.
To anyone suffering with addiction right, the first step is admitting to yourself and then someone, anyone, you have an addiction problem, and seeking professional support and help, just like you would if you had any illness or affliction, you go to a doctor right? There are services out there and good people, often former addicts are the best people to help break serious addictions as they've been through it all and come out the other side successfully. It's not easy to do but it can be done as all these stories demonstrate.
People don’t casually use heroin. No matter what they tell you 😂
Well said!
This is so true..different kinds of ways people act to addiction
Store clerks are so stupid when they try to be heros for stuff that's not even there's I don't feel sorry for the clerk that got hit.i wouldn't have told on myself or my friends smh get a lawyer never let guilt run threw your mouth but she's a girl I knew she was gone talk her way into jail.
I Have been taking Oxycodone prescribed for 15 yrs and I am over it , so hard to quit. Down to 80---90-Mg's per Day, Never did the "H" I am 67 yrs old so its hard asa I Own a Pest Control Co. , of which requires some labor from me, its not hard core I am Not Roofing a house by any means. It is labor , but not hard core.
Love 💕 this story addiction is just like this I know
Me too. We do recover ❤
Ahh Bless her little cotton socks, I can listen to her talk all day, It's like meeting up with your little sister and listening to her problems.. I see a role for her on TV somewhere in the future..
Bless your little cotton pink socks
From a deep impenetrable sinking sadness to true hopefulness. Great story. So her father lived waay longer than 6-12 months to see her turn around? Idk about higher powers but sounds about right. One day at a time.
getting arrested for calling 911 is kind of fucked because thats like an incentive not to call them
Once I heard Middletown and New Jersey I knew she was from my area she looks so familiar great story I hope she's still well
Wow her story is intense! Goes to show ya people can and do recover.
let there be one last
drop in the bottle--I swear--
I'll quit tomorrow
--B. Ceren, 1979
Always stunned to see how quickly some people go from full blown addicts to being drug counselors. I would be curious to see if this is a good or a bad thing. I have difficulties understanding how it's not triggering to be around addicts after such a short amount of time being clean/sober.
Because thats when their passion and life force comes back. Thats when they feel like themselves for the first time in years
I don't know about everywhere else, but here in ga you have to be clean at least 2 years before you can even be a group peer.
Because people who are drug counselors have a good amount of clean time and are working with addicts to help them get clean and sober and be the one to tell them they aren’t a piece of shit, they can overcome this and how they are worth it.. it would be different if they were around addicts using all these drugs. I have a year clean &would love to help other addicts one day. I’m in AZ &you have to have 2+ years (I believe) to work in a rehab, detox, ect..
Very fine line
I'm a recovering addict and a drug counsellor, it was a requirement of my job that I have lived experience. It can be triggering but I have a very solid amount of clean time and practise good self care.
The amount of car accidents??!! 🚙
I'm in NZ CAR accidents are like YOUR F**FED. We give real time to bad drivers down here. This woman would of done 6 years for that first one whel she hit the security guard, let a lone the next how ever many.
Pleased she is OK now. Best of luck.
I'm an addict in recovery too so I DO KNOW WGAT YOU ARE SAYING OK.
Much love.
Q
That judge was wise.
Jesus Christ. GOD BLESS YOU
I wish you the best!! Praise God!
Jesus Christ is GOD ALMIGHTY in human form; so be careful how you use that name above all names so casually and irreverently.
How the hell she has so good memory? I never did drugs and don't remember my life so well...
😂😂😂😂
Alot of addicts use to try and forget the things they wish they don't remember 😢. She lived those days 1000 times over I'd wager. Happy she's living better days now and most of all better memories.
Incredible story
By looking at her you wouldn't tell, definitely a feisty young woman. I thoungh I heard them all but going to college to be a drug counsellor on a full blown addiction..? Wow. I know she didn't go into details, but lots of pain and hurts there. My hat off tho her mom. This also proves that even if underfunded state programs can work; and in this particular case religion isn't involved. Nice one
Listening to Laura's story more closely, it's almost like some addicts behaviour and decision-making will change to not only support the habit/addiction cycle, but also to prevent the consequences of it i.e. jail or running out of drugs and withdrawals.
Take Laura's example, she drove under the influence of heroin not once, but twice, and had two serious accidents which broke her back, twice, landing her in months of hospital treatment and recovery. These incidents both occurred while she was on trial for theft and running someone over in a vehicle. It's like she deliberately did that to avoid going to jail and to continue using/getting access to pain meds. I don't think it's mere coincidence this happened twice while she was on trial and knowing she was almost certainly facing a lengthy prison sentence in a federal prison without access to drugs most likely. She may not have made a conscious decision to get behind the wheel under the influence and deliberately crash her vehicle, but subconsciously I think that's what was going on, and she took a 80/20 risk basically. It was very likely she would have an accident and most people would realise that (even drug addicts) but when you have other pressures and threats to your addiction cycle, it's like the subconscious part of the brain takes over and rational thinking is suspended.
When you're caught in addiction cycle or a serious addict under the influence, all rational thinking and judgement goes out of the window. You will do the most dangerous things and it will seem fine, there's no self-preservation mechanism or any moral thought for others anymore.
Paul and Ancila our subconscious is always at work and we don’t realize it
Paul I'm an addict in recovery, part of her shearing, like the driving part, is common ground for a lots of us who's been thru that path; and as much as I agree about the subconscious part of our brains been always at work, I don't agree with what you saying about doing and action with the hope that something bad wiil happen to us,or at least not while driving. When you decide to drive high, you think you'll make it to where you're supposed to go. Lost of consciousness hits you in a second. It happened to me and to lots of friends, to realise that you need to pull over, and while you attempt to doing it safely by finding a safe spot..then Bang you fall asleep or OD (the worse scenario) without realising it. This is my personal experience.
Wow...wow...wow! What a truly inspirational woman! This story was told so incredibly well that I was literally hanging off every single word! An exceptional story. Congratulations ❤❤❤
You are simply amazing and a miracle Laura.
It takes what it takes. Some people might seem hopeless, and when their reputation precedes them, a prejudice based on mean-spirited nothingness might lock them down and take away any reasonable opportunity for their necessary spiritual surrender to take root and grow. Fairness in this immense world is not really a thing in regards to the hands people are dealt, from birth to death. That kind of fair is unreal. Fair is the weather. Fair is a state event where there are rides and con men; winners and losers. Fair is a pretty face. But if one expects it in life, then one should think again. This was a story!