Angie Jones was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 23. At that time, Angie’s condition was not treated with psychiatric medications. Instead, in her manic state, she chose the path of illicit drugs, resulting in her bipolar disorder not being treated and complicating her life in many negative ways.

After not experiencing results in substance use disorder treatment and several incidences involving law enforcement while off her prescribed medication, Angie connected with the substance abuse counselors, mental health therapists, and case managers at West End Outreach Services, who Angie says, “never gave up on me and I didn’t slip through the cracks.”

Although Angie had the support of a team at West End Outreach for several years, one particular incident set her course in a new direction. “I was eleven miles from where I should have been, using substances, getting aggressive, being agitated and paranoid. I wasn’t doing what I needed to do even to meet the court’s basic requirements, so once again, I was in the back of a car going to jail. That was my rock bottom. Then something different happened,” she said.

Angie’s mental health therapist and substance use disorder counselor referred her to an inpatient unit at a hospital specializing in mental health. After that, she began a residential substance use rehabilitation treatment program so that she could get stable and set a plan for a new path. In reflection, Angie shares that she realized her therapists, counselors, and case managers had always been patient and kind and never took her behaviors personally. She said,” They always welcomed me back no matter how hard I struggled or how many times I failed. Their decisions and their support are the reasons I was finally able to engage and complete substance use treatment successfully.”

Angie completed residential and intensive outpatient substance use treatment and has had a significant period of sobriety, for which she is grateful to all those who support her at West End Outreach. “I am still engaged in mental health therapy and with my case managers, and I am learning how to live life fully. The journey has been hard, but it has been worth it. For the first time, I see myself as someone with a future and someone who will be able to give back. Soon, I will begin training to become a Peer Counselor, and I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful community! Being stable and sober is an amazing experience that I am eager to share with others.”