
“My name is Jennifer and I have been struggling with addiction since I was 14 years old. My drug of choice was meth. I was always a smoker, but in the last year or so of my addiction, I got curious and decided to try slamming meth. In the beginning, I thought it was the best thing to ever happen to me because the high was like no other – but it wasn’t long before I realized that it was the worst thing ever. I started doing things that I now look back at and couldn’t imaging ever agreeing to doing now that I am sober. My life soon became unmanageable as I was having an affair with an older man, getting in physical altercations with his partner and doing things with him in front of my children.
To make a long story short, I was being evicted from my house because my landlord got out of prison and wanted his house back. He did not want to give me a chance to find somewhere to go, so instead he terrorized me and my family. It got so bad that I had to stay across the street with people that I didn’t really know. It was during this time that my landlord called Child Protective Services (CPS) on me. Eventually, CPS took my kids and placed them with my mom. I continued to use after my kids were taken and when I had to test for CPS, I gave a dirty test. CPS held a Team Decision Meeting and I agreed to let the kids go with my mom although I selfishly wanted them to go to the system because my drug use led me to believe that my family was out to get me. Before I entered WestCare, I went to my moms to pick up my two kids for a visit and ended up hiding for a few days. I took them with me to WestCare and entered the program. A few hours after entering the program, CPS came to the program with a warrant to take my kids. Although my kids had been taken again, I decided to stay in the program because I knew that was the only way that I would be able to get my babies back.
I was enrolled into the BEAT program and it was their staff that helped me identify how risky the life that I was living was and that if I did not make the necessary changes, things would not get better for me or my kids. I learned a lot about myself while I was in the program. I learned that I didn’t like who I was when I was an addict and that I had mental health issues that were beyond my control. It was through my recovery that I was able to learn to maintain my mental health as well as my sobriety. WestCare and the BEAT program really helped by working with me at my pace. If it wasn’t for the program, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have a job, regular visits with my kids and am working towards reunification. I just got my own place and have a huge support system that consists of family, friends and the staff at WestCare. I would recommend the program to anyone battling addiction. It helped change my life for the better and I know that it can do the same for anyone else. Today I am clean and sober, have successfully completed my residential and outpatient programs and am proud of how far I have come!” – Jennifer

For over 40 years, WestCare California has been providing an opportunity for individuals to lead fuller, richer lives. Our team of multi-cultural, experienced and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors. Our goal is to uplift the human spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
WestCare provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our service domains include mental health & wellness, substance abuse and addiction treatment, housing opportunities, education & prevention, criminal justice and veterans programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents and families.