Having been in recovery for over a year, Lucy reflects on the path that led her to Caz and the amazing transformation she has undergone in a short period of time.
Early Struggles
Lucy’s struggle with substance use began in high school when she experimented with friends. When she couldn’t find prescriptions, she turned to street drugs that led to an overdose and several blackouts. Despite maintaining a stable job at the DMV for three years and attending Niagara County Community College while playing soccer, her dependence on substances began to take a toll. She suffered seizures, possibly linked to benzodiazepine withdrawal, and eventually lost her job and her home.
The Turning Point: Mandated Recovery
Lucy found herself homeless and her strained family relationships made stability seem impossible. Her journey to rehabilitation was mandated by the legal system. Initially, she was resistant to the idea of recovery. “At first, I was extremely overwhelmed. I’ve never been to a rehab before, but now I’m grateful. I’m sober today, I have goals, and I see a bright future. Before, I was existing, I wasn’t living.”
Stability and Transformation at Casa Di Vita
Casa Di Vita provided Lucy with the space and resources to continue her growth. She worked through a three-phase program, earning more freedom over time by demonstrating responsibility and commitment to her recovery. Throughout this time, she also rebuilt her relationship with her mother. Now, they spend every weekend together. “This is the closest my mom and I have ever been. She’s been my rock though this journey and I love and appreciate her more than she’ll ever know.”
Lucy has achieved many milestones in her recovery. She completed the Trocaire College medical assistant course, earning three college credits. “The course started with 14 girls, and by the end, only four of us graduated. I was one of the four,” she shares proudly. She regained her driver’s license and is now looking forward to getting a car, visiting her father in Georgia, and potentially returning to school. She dreams of becoming a veterinary technician, combining her love for animals with a stable career. “I really love dogs, and working with animals would be my dream job.”
Looking Ahead: A New Beginning
Lucy’s transformation has been deeply personal. She has embraced self-care, improved her diet, lost weight, and, most importantly, remained substance use free without any recurrences of use. “It seemed like this was going to take forever, but now that I look back, I see everything I’ve accomplished—getting off methadone, never relapsing, and rebuilding my life. I love the clarity I have now, the good people I’ve met, and just knowing who I am without substances.”
For anyone considering recovery, Lucy offers this advice: “Recovery changes your life. You don’t have to go back to the old lifestyle. People, places, and things matter—you have to remove negative influences and surround yourself with supportive, sober individuals. It seems overwhelming and hard at first, but looking back, with more time sober and mental clarity, you’ll realize it was the best decision you ever made.”
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