Meet Allie,
Educations

The collaborator of: Lorem Ipsum potion

My name is Alexandria but I prefer the nickname Allie and I use she/her/hers pronouns. I was accepted into the nursing program at Springfield Technical Community College in 2019 after finishing my prerequisites, becoming a CNA, and working very hard to get into the program. Becoming a registered nurse was my dream at the time. At the time, I was working 2 or sometimes 3 jobs, and going to school part-time or at some points full-time. I put my mental health on the back burner and told myself I would deal with it once I was done with school. I had struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues my whole life. I started using drugs when I was 11 and was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and PTSD by 14 years old. Over time I began to spiral, and not long before the nursing school was about to begin, I got in trouble with the law. The winter before nursing school, I was finishing up my prerequisites to then apply to the nursing program, I was accepted and very excited to start. In the midst of working full-time, going to school part-time, and managing to live on my own, I lost my health insurance and was off my psych meds, my therapist, and my psychiatrist. I thought I would deal with my mental health at a later time in life, when school was over or when I had more time to focus on it. Before being able to get the help I needed, I quickly spiraled out of control, I was drinking, using drugs, and self-medicating daily. When July rolled around, I was at rock bottom and suicidal. On July 13th, 2018 I made a regrettable decision, while under the influence of alcohol and benzodiazepines, and stole a loaded .45 caliber in hopes to go home and end my life. On my way home, I was pulled over right across the street from my apartment, the gun was on the passenger side seat and I was charged with a DUI (driving under the influence) and possession of a firearm. I quickly got a lawyer and sought out treatment. I was hospitalized twice for psychiatric reasons and substance abuse, both were in-patient long-term stays for about three weeks. I cooperated with the court and was placed on probation till October 11th, 2019. After my probation was over, my case became a CWOF (continuance without a finding). I took the necessary steps to get back my license including; paying all fines to the RMV, taking a driver alcohol education course, and paying court fines. I also see a therapist weekly and a psychiatrist monthly. I also go to group meetings at a local recovery center; as well as go to medicated assisted therapy monthly to be drug tested and to be on suboxone which is a medication used for people who struggle with opioid addiction. Since I was in full compliance with my probation officer; the judge was able to drop some of my court fees for good behavior. During all of this I also managed to keep my own apartment; keep my car along with paying my monthly loan payments; take care of my loving dog Ema, and keep my job as a health care assistant. I now have the right team of people to help me when I need help, such as my therapist, my parents, and being part of a sober community in my town. I have been sober since October 22, 2018. I took a few years off from school but decided to go back in the fall of 2020. Since I wanted to stay in the medical field I decided it would be best to use my experiences with alcohol, drugs, and a life of turmoil to help others who are in the position I was once in. My goal is to finish my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology: Counseling Foundations at Bay Path University and then get my master’s degree to ultimately become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I am now a single mother to my beautiful, adventurous, and smart daughter named Luna who just turned 1 year old two months ago.

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