Our 46th spotlight in the FACES OF HOPE: WE DO RECOVER series will focus on Briana Powell’s story, “No Family is Perfect.”
My name is Briana Powell. I’m from Dalton, GA. I wish I could sit here and paint you the picture of a perfect family growing up, but I cannot. I don’t believe anyone has the perfect family we all wish for. As I am growing into my recovery each day, I can accept that no one has the “perfect family” I had always hoped and dreamed for.
My addiction started when I was fifteen. I wanted so bad to fit in or be a part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to feel something. My parents were in the middle of a divorce, and with that, I had new freedom. I took advantage of my mother working and creating the business she has today, and my father is a truck driver so he was on the road a lot.
Two years after the divorce, I was arrested twice for underage drinking. I had the attitude of “I don’t care what anyone thinks of me!” No one wanted to be around me, anyways. Inside, I was hurting and didn’t know how to escape this monster of addiction.
By the age of 23, I was addicted and lived everyday just for the addiction. I wasn’t a person anymore. I wanted to die. I lived to use and used to live. I hated myself.
THE MOMENT OF ESCAPE:
Like I mentioned before, I had a caring mother who worked day in and day out. Somehow God reached me through her and her business. Pastor Kyle Burchett from Gayson, Kentucky called my mother look for carpet for his church. This guy was so open and honest with my mother that she felt she could tell him about my addiction. The calls and prayers started November 2010. Finally my mom convinced me to speak with him and some guy named Tim Robinson. In that moment, I couldn’t believe there was such people that existed in the world. People who didn’t know me but wanted to help me?
I went to Karen’s Place December 28th, 2010 after a nineteen hour bus trip and two weeks of detox. Finally, I made it to redemption. I started a new relationship with someone I had lost so long ago, Jesus Christ. I learned he loved me. He was my father, my mother, my savior, the love I had longed for, someone I could fit in with! He washed away every single sin, every single hurt, I was able to forgive and really mean it!
My advice is to never give up. To always stay open minded to change, because you never know what God has planned for you! To never base your happiness or acceptance on flesh. To appreciate the people God picks to be in your life!
September 7, 2011, God blessed me with my soul mate, Justin. We met a Christ Temple Church at an Eddie James concert. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with someone, but God helped me see love through someone else once again. I never knew how to love someone or even myself. What I learned and experienced from Karen’s Place taught me that I can truly be loved and freely love back. Love is free!
If it wasn’t for Jesus Christ and Karen’s Place, there is no telling where I would be today. I wouldn’t have my son back. I wouldn’t have a beautiful little girl with my husband, I wouldn’t be able to have the job I do today, I wouldn’t know what mercy, love and grace meant, and most of all, I wouldn’t be able to share my story.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call Addiction Recovery Care at 606.638.0938 or visit them on the web at www.arccenters.com.
There is hope. There is help.
