Kayla French

My story of addiction is not a single event that occurred, rather a series of events that led me to coping negatively to adverse childhood experiences. I grew up in a middle-class family where I was afforded many privileges until this picturesque family fell apart because I also came from a family who did not understand their own addictions. Addictions have negatively affected my family for generations, still to this day. 

When my parents separated, I began using substances as a way out, I never thought my substance usage would progress from recreationally drinking and cannabis usage to a heroin addiction. I don’t think anyone wants to get to that point, but it happened so easily for me. I was diagnosed with ADHD and was left unmedicated. Living with Concurrent disorders was a major factor in my addiction and recognizing this led to my recovery. 

At the tender age of 18 I had recovered and relapsed three times. I have been sober 15 years and I am so grateful for all the people who afforded me the grace to fail before I could succeed.