“If it wasn’t for Phoenix House, I wouldn’t be here right now, and I’m so grateful for that. Not that my life has been easy—it hasn’t been. But I’ve learned how to deal with things in a healthy way.”

Every day, more than 2,000 youth use a prescription medicine to get high for the first time. As part of a national campaign to address medicine abuse, Phoenix House alumna Sofia Capria will share her own story of teen medicine abuse.

I wouldn’t wish drug addiction on my worst enemy. It’s horrible, and it can truly happen to anyone. Addiction doesn’t discriminate; it crosses every possible racial and economic barrier. I know of people who were millionaires who ended up using on the streets. Addiction won’t let you stop until you’ve lost everything—and then, if you’re really lucky, you just might escape with your life. I am one of the lucky ones.

Debbie’s addiction caused her to lose everything, but with the help of our Phoenix House Exeter Center, she got it all back—and found much more.

“Treatment does help. Little by little, it will change your mentality, and it will work out in the end. It’s still working for me.”