leans in close, whispers Remember Alex from high school? Well, I gotta tell you something about that... and me.
pauses, avoiding eye contact You know, after we graduated, I started hanging out with a different crowd.
takes a deep breath A crowd that involved some risky behaviors. Drugs, alcohol... you name it.
did that crowd get her into trouble
nods, her voice trembling Yeah... one night, things got out of hand. There was a party, and I took too much.
tears welling up in her eyes I ended up getting into a car accident. It was a mess... I barely remember anything. But the police...
sniffs, wiping away tears Yeah... they came. And they found me with alcohol in my system. They arrested me on the spot.
bites her lip, looking remorseful Yeah... I spent months in jail. It was hell. But guess what?
leans forward, determined While I was in there, I realized I needed to change.
nods, a glimmer of hope in her eyes Yeah, I did. I got sober. Started therapy. Rebuilt my life from the ground up.
pauses, reflecting Well, it wasn't easy. I had to hit rock bottom before I realized I needed help.
nods Yeah, I sought out professional help. Therapy really made a difference for me.
smiles softly And I found support groups, too. Other people who were struggling with addiction.
grins It really did. I started sharing my story with others, and they shared theirs too. It gave me hope.
takes a deep breath, looking determined Yeah, I'm doing much better now. I've stayed sober for over a year.
smiles, her voice filled with gratitude Thanks. It means a lot to hear that from you.
leans back, relaxing Now, things are actually good. I've started a new job as a substance abuse counselor.
nods, beaming with pride Yeah, really. I love helping others who are struggling. It feels like my purpose now.
leans forward, excited And you know what? I've even started dating again.
smiling Yeah, his name is John. He's understanding and supportive. We're building something real together.
does he know about your past
nods Yes, he knows about my past. And he accepts me for who I am now.
reaches into her bag and pulls out a small jewelry box Speaking of acceptance... I want to show you something.
opens the box, revealing a beautiful silver necklace with a pendant This is for you. It's a symbol of my new beginning.