FFS Program Graduate Shares Her Story
By Larissa A.
Unlike many teenagers who come to The Family Foundation School for drug and alcohol problems, I didn’t. I never did drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette. However, I did have a horrible relationship with my mom, dad, and brother. My family problems, school problems, and social problems, all led to me either cutting or burning myself. There were times when I ran away from my house and from there I would meet up with guys. My life was totally unmanageable and I hated it, which is why, from the age of eleven to fifteen, I tried to end my life so many times.
The straw that finally broke the camel’s back was when I got into a physical altercation with my mom. That night was, by far, the worst night of my life. I let my disease take control and I threw my cell phone at my mom and pushed my computer into her chest. That wasn’t the last of the fight. After that I blacked out, but I do remember pushing my mom into a flight of stairs and then my dad had to restrain me. That was the night that my parents told me I was coming to The Family School.
I arrived on January 15, 2008. My first six or seven months I was on shadow. I was not talking to anyone, and all I did was cry. Whenever I got upset, I just sat on the couch, cried and cut myself. In my tenth month here I finally got a buddy, Sarah B. I remember being so scared. I thought that she would hate me forever and I wouldn’t be able to help her, but she was an awesome buddy. However, when I was here a little over a year, I decided to make more stupid decisions. I would be defiant and sit up on Chapel Hill. That only led to me being put back on shadow.
On April 4, 2009, I again decided that I wanted something different for my life. I had a family group, and my parents told me they wanted to see a change in me. From that day forward, I wanted to use the 12 Steps to rebuild my life. In a couple of months, I got through my first seven steps. From there I earned buddying and shadowing and eventually junior sponsoring, and on July 31, 2009, I was given an anchor. It was clear that God was with me that day.
In a couple of months, I was able to make a huge turnaround. I had my loving family back, and I developed a relationship with my big brother. On one of my home visits, I got into a stupid argument with my parents, and immediately, the old Larissa came back. I refused to talk to them. My brother finally came to my room and asked me to come out. I was shocked. There was no relationship between my brother and me, but at that point, God decided to send him to help me.
My life has dramatically changed. Things in my life are not perfect, but I do have a relationship with my parents and my brother back. And, I have found the source of peace, love and happiness. I have some great friendships, and my passion for dancing has come back. My sponsor Caren and my junior Denise have both helped me grow. However the one ‘person’ who has guided me my entire 29 months at the school, is God. Making my confirmation has shown me that no matter how many times I stray from him, he will always be there for me.
This program really does work if you work it. I have a loving family again, healthy relationships, and a spiritual life.
