My Journey

By TB, Daybreak Participant

First day of Daybreak I almost didn’t come – I was so nervous and anxious. Can I do it? What’s it going to be like? Will there be people I know there? But I opened the door…..

         Once I was inside, the nerves and anxious feeling started to ease off. Once I sat down and spoke to Sam and others in the group, I realized that I wasn’t alone in wanting to make those changes.

I got sick of not having my kids, being in a really down place – trying to get out of that “dark hole”. My confidence level was around 3/10. That’s when I made the decision to get a new phone, cut off everyone from my old life and reach out for help and support from Daybreak. Help from the group, listening to their stories and being able to relate to their struggles and my own. Support from Daybreak facilitators through the program structure – challenging myself, communicating more clearly with my family/partner and not feeling the need to lie all the time and understanding more about myself as a person.

         Now that I have completed the program, I am really proud of myself for the achievement; being able to manage my emotions, communicate with my family – my kids, my partner and my Mum. My mum was so proud of me when I sent her a photo of my certificate of achievement, her reply was “A very proud Mum, xxx”. I can look back now and see the changes and growth – how I was in the beginning and the positive changes to my confidence, and my ability to hold my head high.

         My relationship with my mother-in-law and partner, kids and Mum have improved massively – I now have my kids back every other week and have also rekindled old friendships that I have previously lost due to drugs.

         Now that I have finished, I am looking forward to getting a job (already have an interview lined up); returning to studies and finally getting my kids home full time and being a family all together again. My confidence level is now 8-9/10.