Hickman County Stories

Amber of Hickman

Amber

My story is similar to others. My mom was in a very unhealthy relationship with my father, and I was around drugs at a very early age. When I was in sixth grade, she divorced him and married the greatest man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. At sixteen, I was married and gave birth to my first child. Six months after my son was born, my step dad died at 32 years old, and this completely destroyed me. I started taking pills occasionally, and by the time I was eighteen I had my daughter. Shortly after, I was divorced.

My mom kept my kids while I was out partying. At first it was just drinking and the occasional pill for a few years until it became cocaine and eventually meth. I was arrested multiple times for misdemeanors and eventually became involved with men who manufactured it. My boyfriend and I were homeless, staying in hotels or in my car making meth. During all of this, I gave birth to my third child.

Ultimately, my boyfriend and I were arrested for manufacturing meth and attempted child abuse of our son. My home was quarantined, and I lost everything including my children. It’s crazy how something that starts out being fun becomes something that takes complete control over you. After spending several months in jail, I was offered drug court. This was my first time at treatment in the eight years of my addiction. I accepted, and my new journey began. Drug court saved my life. I successfully graduated from drug court and have held the same job for six years. I have custody of all three of my kids, bought a house and married my best friend and the father of my third child who was arrested with me and also graduated drug court.

It has been seven years since I was arrested and began my new journey. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it and so rewarding to see my kids smile every day.