Substance abuse was something I knew at an early age because everyone in my family was affected by it. My mom and dad were involved in drugs which caused us to struggle with having things like food, household items, and utilities like heat or gas. They divorced when I was 8 and then my mom left for about 5 or 6 years. Starting at the age of 13 I was bullied and had my first suicide attempt. In the next few years I had many overdoses, many suicide attempts, and I struggled with drugs, all in an effort to help cope with my anxiety and with all the family drama, and would cry for days from the emotional turmoil I was in. I then started drinking. I had always sworn to myself that I would never drink like that because of how it affected my grandparents. But I was still looking for comfort like I had been my whole life.
When I first got to Springboard it was nerve-racking, but I looked at the students who were here, I knew they were here because they had been through stuff but I could see that they had really gotten help, I saw that they were so content and it was motivation for me. I saw that it was possible for me too. I now have real control over my whole life because God has control of my life and it is the best feeling. My way wasn’t working, I needed another way and that’s God’s way. All of the pain that I felt and carried was melting away. I became determined to know God. The best gift any one has ever given me was what they gave me here at Springboard: a bigger picture for what God has for me which created peace in a broken and damaged heart and I am very thankful for that.
-Karmin, 17
