As a follow up to last week’s post about our new peer recovery coaches, we want to take the time to share some of their stories in more detail. Everyone has a story and we hope that sharing some of our coach’s stories will help motivate and inspire others on their journey through recovery.

This week’s story comes from Libby Sosa. Libby is from Huron, Ohio and still resides there. She has endured quite a lot on her way to recovery. She has been in recovery since September 7, 2013 and is still going strong. Her life has drastically changed over that time and she has an 11 year-old daughter named Isabella–and a one-year-old son named Landon–who is also very happy that her mom was able to turn her life around and find recovery.

 

Libby began experimenting with alcohol and pills at a young age. At that time, she was a high school cheerleader who was on top of the world and had a lot of friends. All of that started to change, however, when she continued down the dark path of drugs and alcohol. She quickly became addicted and soon moved on to harder drugs such as cocaine and crack. Libby’s priorities began to shift and all she started caring about was when and how she would get her next high. She would steal and do whatever it took to obtain and maintain that high. The drugs took over Libby’s life. At the expense of her family and friends, her daughter, and her own well-being.

Fortunately for Libby, she had a loving family and friends committed to helping her get back on the right track. She pursued the right connections and surrounded herself with a support group, which led her into recovery. Today, Libby is still living in Huron and is committed to helping others find their recovery. “I have been blessed to be able to speak at my hometown middle and high schools to help bring awareness to our teens about the severity of this disease,” said Libby.

Libby is now a peer recovery coach for Ascent and is determined to help others find recovery just like she did. “I was led to Ascent solely by our Lord and savior Jesus Christ through my lovely mentor Todd Koch,” said Libby. “I resigned from my job, knowing that I was going to be placed into a position to where I could fulfill my purpose and live the life that God has always wanted for me. I had been unhappy for so many months, and God finally did for me what I could not do for myself. Now here I stand grateful, powerful, and confident knowing that God is behind this all.”

Libby is so thankful for the opportunity to guide others through what she once went through herself. “Where I was two and a half years ago, and where I am now…there is no explanation for the way I feel. I have so much gratitude today,” said Libby. “I am most excited and passionate about this job because I have the opportunity to give back to others what I have been given all these years of my sobriety. This is my plan, this is my purpose and this is my hope for others and for myself to live life to the fullest. I must love as much as I can. One single sentence can change ones life forever…and I plan to do just that.”

Libby, like the rest of Ascent’s peer coaches, is passionate about what she does and is ready to help others find recovery just like she did. Having 24/7 support from coaches like Libby and access to the Ascent solution–right at your fingertips–is what makes Ascent so unique. Those clients who feel like there is no hope for them right now might just end up telling a similar story to Libby’s one day.