Jameea's Story

Jameea came to Madonna House and is reclaiming her life with clarity, purpose, and love. Her path to recovery is not just for herself, but also her daughter. Jameea’s story is not one of perfection, but of persistence. While growing up in a household where substance use was common, Jameea is determined to change the narrative as she embraces her role as a new mother

“I grew up seeing drugs and alcohol, that’s what I thought was normal.” 

Jameea began drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana in her early teens, often at family gatherings or local house parties. “I probably had my first drink around 12 or 13,” she said. What began as weekend fun quickly escalated and over time, the addiction deepened. It progressed from alcohol to crack cocaine. Ultimately, Jameea’s substance use led to legal troubles, probation, and multiple attempts at treatment in 28-day programs. She was first referred to Beacon Center for outpatient recovery and although she didn’t initially see herself as having a problem, in group therapy she realized that she did not have control over the disease. “When I realized I couldn’t stop, even when I wanted to, that’s when I knew it was bigger than me,” she said.

Monumental Transformation

Everything changed in 2023, when Jameea found out she was pregnant shortly after the passing of her grandmother, who was one of the few stable figures in her life. “That was a wake-up call,” she said. “I was still using, still drinking, and I knew I couldn’t do that and bring a baby into the world.” After seeking outpatient care again with little success, she was referred to Madonna House. “When I got that call back, I was grateful,” she recalled. “I came to Madonna House two days before giving birth. I had my daughter and brought her right back with me. She’s been with me every step of the way.”

Now a few months into motherhood and recovery, Jameea is settling into a new rhythm. The structure and support at Madonna House have helped her build new habits and deepen her understanding of herself. “I’ve learned how to set boundaries, how to put me and my daughter first, how to calm down and not react to everything,” she explained. Through group therapy and one-on-one counseling, she’s learned how to manage triggers, redirect her thoughts, and advocate for her mental health. “I’m not just reacting anymore. I’m thinking things through. I used to think a drink would fix everything. Now I take a breath and ask, ‘What’s the best way to handle this?’”

Motherhood and Moving Forward

“It’s not just me anymore, I have to think about her future.” Jameea is also learning how to be a parent. When her daughter was recently diagnosed with a rare genetic trait, hemoglobin D, Jameea surprised herself with how calmly she handled the news. “Normally, I’d panic. I’d jump to the worst-case scenario. But this time, I did research, made the appointments, and stayed focused. That showed me how much I’ve grown.” Looking ahead, Jameea has new plans for a new life. She’s preparing to leave Madonna House, move in with her sister, and return to work as a home health aide. She also plans to pursue certification in phlebotomy and enroll in construction and OSHA training. “I’ve always wanted to build my own home one day,” she said. “I want to work with my hands, maybe even have my own crew. That’s the dream.”

Motivation at Madonna House

Madonna House has been more than just a place to stay. It’s been a fresh start for her future. “They helped me understand what resources I qualify for. I didn’t even know about the education grants for people in recovery. Now I can go to school without worrying about the cost.” She’s committed to staying involved in her recovery, attending meetings, and continuing outpatient therapy. “I want to do the 90 for 90 meeting challenge. I was uncomfortable before, but now I’m ready. They even help you get there until you feel comfortable.”

When asked what advice she would give to someone who’s hesitant to seek treatment, her response is firm and heartfelt. “Do it. You’re already going through it anyway. At least make it count. I used to be scared of long-term programs, but now I know they were what I needed. You get to really sit with yourself, really heal.” In her words, this chapter of her life is a rebirth. “It just feels good. To focus on what really matters. To be happy again. You really can get back to who you were. Or better.”