"You guys changed my life forever"

2 years ago, I had hit rock bottom in my life. I was 46kgs, I was in drug induced physcosis because of my drug use and all I wanted was to get better and get my daughter back who I lost a year before because of DVO and substance abuse.

When I first rocked up to Mirikai I was assigned a TF (treatment facilitor), a psychologist that specialises in DV and also a Family worker that would help me deal with Child Safety. The first few weeks was just about me getting into the routine and getting used to doing things without drugs everyone from weekend workers, TFs over night workers were so supportive, most of them had been were I had so they knew just what I needed to do or hear to get through the time. I was highly paranoid but they would promise me if I just stayed clean that it would subside. 4-5 weeks in I woke up and realised my paranoid thoughts were gone! And also that I was laughing more then I ever have for a long time. I was seeing my TF weekly if not every couple of days and we really worked on things that helped me fall back in love with myself and see that the person I was before I started using was still there. The groups we did also everyday really helped me in so many ways it explained alot about emotions, thinking and actions this was exactly what I needed.

By week 5 I was having weekly visits with my daughter, at the start I was doing this for her but while In rehab I noticed I had to do it for me and I genuinely wanted myself back again. I developed a very special bond with my physiologist I no longer blame myself for everything happening in my ex DV relationship I was shown things like the power wheel and I can explain what they did for my self worth. I started a Parenting Program Triple P and then after I did  Circle of Security. Circle of Security change the way I parent it was awesome and mad so much sense at how it would help my little girl. To this day I go to a playgroup with her that comes after Circle of Security. I worked with the Family team which helped me so much they attended appointments with me with Child Safety, they help me work through all the guilt that I had and turn it into something I could work on.

after doing 8 months at Mirikai, which is the time I needed as my whole life was drugs, my whole family does drugs the only person that is clean is my mum and she's 23 years clean now. Anyway after that I came out of Mirikai a totally different person, I got me back! I loved waking up everyday, my visits with my daughter went up to 3 times a week and this is when I started the half way program known as the Oasis Program.

This program really helped me with getting comfortable with being outside in the real world after being in a residential program. 

I was assigned the best mentor that check in with me weekly, helped me with my license, doctor appointments and getting comfortable living without drugs which honestly wasn't hard for me I never felt I'd be able to live without some type of drug so for me to be living life without any was a miracle!!

After leaving the oasis program I stayed in contact with my family worker and physiologist they still worked with me after leaving.

Today 2 years after the day I started mirikai, I'm a totally different person. I'm confident in myself, my selfworth is fantastic, I have healthy boundaries and am not afraid to state them if need be. The 10 year DV relationship I was in doesn't buckle or consume me.

I just got a place for me and my daughter and in the next 3-4 months she'll be coming home to her mummy! I can't explain properly just what mirikai has done for me and how my life has changed for the better. I put in alot of work I was ready and I think that's why it really worked for me.

Thank you to everyone at Mirikai and Anoushka the physiologist!!!