My story...

My name is Jenny. I am 20 years old. I first came to Mcshin in October 2010. I had just had a relapse after having 17 months clean. I also was and still am struggling with self injury. I started self injuring when I was twelve years old. I started using alcohol and drugs when I was 17. My childhood was lonely, traumatic, and depressing. As I got older things just got worse and worse. I felt alone and didn't know how to handle the emotions I was feeling. I wanted to escape from them and everything around me. So I started finding ways to do so. Cutting was my fist outlet. It got worse everyday I did it. After six years of cutting everyday it stopped working for me. I needed more. I needed something else. So I picked up pills. This led me down another road I didn't even know existed. I continued to cut as I was using. I couldn't stop. I needed a razor to make me feel, and I needed a pill to make me drift away. I was a slave. So at 18 I sought out help for myself. I went to hospitals, treatment facilities, and recovery houses. none of these were able to help me. Until October 2010 when I landed in Mcshin.  I remember that first week I came in. People were welcoming me with a hug, and showing me more love than I've ever received. It didn't take long before I built a family here. I still struggled with the self injury when I came, but Mcshin has not given up on me. They have faith in me even when I don't have any in myself. They love me even when I don't love myself. They have opened up their arms for me and given me a place to call a home. Something I haven't had sense I was 18. Now today I have 7 months clean from drugs and alcohol. I also have 16 days without harming myself which is the longest I've been in a good while. I owe my progress and growth to Mcshin. I don't know where I would have been if I hadn't come here. but I thank my higher power everyday for placing me in this wonderful program!!