Lunye’s Story — Reaching recovery, as a family

“My whole life had fallen to pieces before me,” shares Lunye. “I didn’t want to live anymore, to be honest, but I knew I had a younger son I had a responsibility to.”

In 2017, Lunye experienced two extreme losses within a span of a month, which tested her will to survive. Her mother passed away, and just one month later her eldest son passed as well. That sequence of loss pushed Lunye’s addiction to dangerous new levels.

She’d recently moved in temporarily with her sister, and her sister told her about Avivo’s Family Residential Treatment program. She came to Avivo for a comprehensive assessment as soon as she could.

“Avivo is just a different place,” shares Lunye. “Avivo was the only place that would take me with my child – he was 15 years old.”

“Avivo is just a different place,” shares Lunye. “Avivo was the only place that would take me with my child – he was 15 years old. They were the only place that would allow me to bring him with me.”

While in treatment, Lunye worked hard and was thankful for staff, who helped ensure she had the care she needed. “I signed up for everything,” she shares. Lunye worked with Avivo’s Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs), mental health counselors, and even signed up for a yoga class.

She appreciated how Avivo pairs treatment with mental health therapy, which enabled her to learn more about herself and her underlying mental health conditions. Now, she feels like her life is on the right track.

“If it wasn’t for Avivo, I don’t know where I’d be… My biggest fear is to be homeless with nowhere to go.”

“If it wasn’t for Avivo, I don’t know where I’d be… My biggest fear is to be homeless with nowhere to go.”

Lunye now lives in sober housing, and proudly shares that she’s two years sober. She’s thankful for all the help she’s received along the way and looks forward to entering school once the COVID-19 pandemic slows.

“Right now, I know the best way for me to stay safe is to stay in the house, but I want to go to school. That’ll keep me going in the future.”