Name: Kara Roggow

Age: 42

Sober Since: 08 / 25 / 2009

Sober For: 14 Years & 219 Days

What it was like?

I was always a shy kid, I was bullied a lot. I used to cut myself because I didn't know how to deal with it. I had memories of my pediatrician abusing me during check-ups. I started drinking around 15 and I started to come out of my shell. I had a lot more confidence. From there I went to several other drugs. That lasted until I was in my thirties. I stopped drinking and drugging when I was pregnant with my children but about six months after my second child, I started having severe panic attacks, chronic pain and depression. I had doctors giving me pain meds, Xanax and Valium. From there I dealt with several tragedies within a year which made my drug use worse. I also found out I was bi-polar and had borderline personality disorder.

What happened?

After the series of tragedies I had I promised my aunt I would get help. She was dying and when she passed away I entered rehab. I was there for 11 months. I relapsed, I ended up in the hospital. When I was released nobody came to get me. The hospital put me on a bus to the local homeless shelter in the worst part of the city. The bus dropped me off and it took me hours to find it. Roaming the most dangerous streets I was robbed and almost assaulted. My parents came into town and took me home. I was put on the waiting list for a 6-month inpatient rehab center. While I waited to get in and while I was there I couldn't see my kids for 9 months. I have been sober since. I also got a lot out of DBT classes and a lot of mental health therapy.

What it is like now?

Things are great. When I go through tough times drinking and drugging aren't the first things on my mind, it's not even an option. I see what I have lost in the past and I make sure I remember that pain when things are down. I learned how to be confident and how to say no. I am happy!

24/7 Rehab Help (866) 207-7436 Sponsored | Who Answers

Contact Sober Nation's Sponsored Hotline

If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the SoberNation.com hotline is a confidential and convenient solution.

Calls to any general hotline (non-facility) will be answered by Treatment Addiction Solutions

Alternatives to finding addiction treatment or learning about substance:

If you wish to contact a specific rehab facility then find a specific rehab facility using our treatment locator page or visit SAMHSA.gov.

To learn more about how Sober Nation operates, please contact us