11 Mar, 2010
Recovery Warrior Thursdays – Randi Hazelman
TweetPosted by: Sobriety Diva In: Drug Addiction|Recovery Warrior Thursdays
Recovery Warrior Thursdays
*Real Women Telling their Real Stories in 12…. Questions (not Steps)
Hello recovery warriors (I call you all recovery warriors because if you are reading this blog you are taking the first step), welcome to Recovery Connections weekly feature where REAL women can tell their stories to other REAL women so we can find a REAL solution to this REAL problem.
I am so grateful to able to meet women in different stages of their recovery warrior and recovery mom, Randi Hazelman
- The Sobriety Diva
1. Name:
Randi Lynn Hazelman
2. Age:
29
3. How long have you been sober?
Almost 4 years in recovery- July 13, 2006
4. What are you recovering from?
Opiates, mainly narcotic pain killers and dabbled in cocaine, crack, and eventually got stuck on shooting up heroin a few times a day-my worst times ever since that was the one thing I said I would never, ever do-shoot up.
5. When did you cross over into addiction?
After a 6 month period back in 2001-my dr. gave me a rx for T3 (tylenol w/codeine) for uterine pain w/no known cause.
6. What was the breaking point that finally made you accept your addiction?
At the end of 4 yrs of addiction-I was sitting in jail on a shoplifting warrant and detoxing, my husband of 6 months had no idea of my addiction and my 3 kids were going to be taken by CPS and given to my mother until I entered a rehab center.
7. Did you make the first step alone or did you have help from your family, from your religious organization or other intervention?
I knew long before entering that I needed help. I went from having a good job, nice truck, nice house to 0 in a little over a year, even as a “functioning addict” I knew it would only be a matter of time before I lost it all. I asked my husband for help to find a center.
8. What road did you travel? Did you go in-patient treatment, detox, AA, or another option?
At the time I lived in Alaska-rehab up there is a joke! That state needs a big time overhaul on addiction services!!! Call your government all you Alaskan Sobriety Divas!!! I entered a 5 day detox in an old jail facility(Clithroe) with mean nurses who did not give a dam* and did not understand addiction. That center has since closed and after 3 yrs outside AK I have no idea what is left of rehab up there, I pray the addicts of Alaska get help. I attended AA at the detox center and once I left found local meetings.
9. When you first get into recovery, they tell you you have to change people, places and things. What changes did you have to make on your journey?
I changed friends, stopped talking to some family members, attended NA, counseling and started taking Suboxone. In the end-moving out of Alaska in early 2007 to Michigan with my then husband saved my life I relapsed a few times and never told anyone (until now).
10. How do you maintain your sobriety today?
I am still on a low “maintenance” dose of Suboxone, I attend NA, counseling, read my Recovery Bible, attend church, and when I really have something that triggers me I look at my 4 children-my angels in disguise and know I could never, ever, ever relapse or use again-to make them go through that pain,anguish and the memories, and disgust my 10 and 8 yr old had for me, the shame I saw in their eyes- I could never again subject my babies to that again for a “fix”.
11. What words of empowerment would you give to women who have not made that first step yet?
Do it! It is and can be shameful, and hurt but it is life changing! If you can’t take that first step for yourself and have a family, kids- do it for them and once your mind is clear you will see you have made the right choice and you will be forever changed and in the best way. God and all of us in recovery are by your side! Good luck
12. Last one – I wouldn’t be the Sobriety DIVA if I didn’t ask it. Great pair of shoes or Fab handbag?
That’s a hard question, hmm I would have to say a great pair of shoes for sure-although I do like a nice bag the shoes are much more comfortable and usually go with a lot more then a bag does. 
