Estar’s Story: Finding Myself Again
My name is Estar, and for a long time, I didn’t recognize the person I had become.
At the age of 18, what began as occasional use of drugs and alcohol spiraled into years of dependency. By the time I was in my early twenties, alcohol consumed me. I was drinking liters a day, hiding bottles in my backpack, and building my life around making sure I could drink without anyone knowing.
It wasn’t always this way. Growing up in Georgia, I was a creative kid who loved to draw, laugh, and connect with people. But in a home environment that felt toxic and stifling, alcohol became my escape. Over time, it took everything from me—my art, my joy, my relationships, and most painfully, my sense of self.
I can’t point to one single rock-bottom moment that made me want to get sober. It was more the slow erosion of the person I used to be. I wanted ME back.
Almost two years ago, my brother helped me move out of my family home, and I made the decision to go to inpatient treatment in Pompano Beach, Florida. There, I uncovered truths I had been running from—like the fact that I had been using alcohol to self-medicate deep anxiety and depression. Treatment gave me tools to heal, but what came next was equally important: building a real life in recovery.
After treatment, I moved into a sober living facility, and that’s where I heard about Her 2nd Chance. Getting a job through the program was life-changing. For the first time in years, I felt productive, capable, and part of something meaningful.
Today, I’m in the job-search phase of the program. With Debbie Anderson’s help, I built a resume and gained the confidence to start applying for jobs. I recently came close to getting hired, and while it didn’t work out, Her 2nd Chance taught me to shake it off, stay positive, and keep moving forward.
Because of recovery and this program, I’ve regained the creativity, hope, and resilience I thought I had lost forever. Most importantly, I’ve found myself again. I like who I am, clean, better than that other version.
Her 2nd Chance gave me the space, the support, and the tools to rebuild my life. And for that, I am deeply grateful.