My mental health was affected by my addiction - Diane's Story

“St. Monica's is a dual diagnosis treatment program, which is what I believe sets it apart. Mental disorder issues are treated along with the addiction. My mental health was directly affected by my addiction, and vice versa. It makes the most sense to treat both my disease and the symptoms that caused my addiction in the first place.

“The fact that St. Monica's focus is on empowering women also made this program all the more effective. Every day that I spent at St. Monica's, I learned so much about myself and about addiction. I would be so mentally drained by the end of the day, that I would be asleep the minute my head hit the pillow. But to my surprise, every morning I would get up ready to start another day of self-reflection and self discovery.

“If I could use one word to describe St. Monica's, the one that keeps coming to mind is ‘hope.’ Whether we come to treatment on our own free will or it is strongly suggested by the courts, most of us are in a desperate place in our lives. I know in my case, I was emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. All of the strong women at St. Monica's played a part in helping me start on my path to recovery. I will forever be grateful to them.”