An Oklahoma mother is sharing her battle with drug addiction, in hopes to save as many women as possible.
Red Rock Jordan's Crossing is a safe haven for many women. It can accommodate 82 women battling addiction.
Photographs capture the beautiful, and not-so-easy times.
Erika Lindsey remembers what life was like from the moment she became a mother at fifteen to the moment she lost everything.
"I have four kids. I wanted to get them back, I wanted to be the kind of mom that I never had," Lindsey said. "Throughout my whole time of using after losing custody of my daughter, I just dove the deepest into my addiction than ever before."
The 25-year-old was introduced to drugs at an early age in her small, hometown of Konawa, Oklahoma.
"It started with marijuana and I was using that by age 11," Lindsey said. "After I turned 18 I was introduced to meth."
Lindsey says she had to leave her home before things got worse, so she moved to Oklahoma City to receive treatment at Red Rock’s Jordan's Crossing, and she did not come alone.
"I was scared to admit that I was using while pregnant. I was afraid for my child, I didn’t know if he or she was okay," said Lindsey.
Lindsey stayed in treatment for six months, and as a result, she delivered a healthy baby after receiving proper prenatal care. Unfortunately, moms who do not receive this level of care can end up losing their babies or have them taken away.
The Marshall Project did an investigation on the number of women facing criminal charges for using drugs during their pregnancy and in this report, the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner's office revealed about 30% of the 300 stillborn autopsies involved meth.
"I just think about how differently my life could’ve been. Everything started from here, my whole life turned around from being from here," Lindsey said.
"This is what we are here for. Just seeing one mom get through this is a good feeling," said Wynema Ra, the director of Red Rock.
Ra says all women are required to complete 37 hours of treatment a week. The center offers therapy services, case management assistance, parenting classes, and much more.
"You're not judged here, there's no stigma here. We care about you. We care about your children," said Ra.
The center uses a peer-to-peer approach to treatment women helping women.
"When they come in here, they get a big sister, and that person kind of takes them under their wing, and it works because they are willing to be open with someone that has been where they've been," said Ra.
And that's exactly what Lindsey does today after successfully completing treatment and almost three years of sobriety. She was offered her first job at Red Rock and now she answers the call to serve.
"I'm just so appreciated to be able to work here. It's my way of giving back to people, you know, that need it. Change is necessary to be the best mother you can be for your kids," Lindsey said.
After a two-year court battle, Lindsey now has full custody of her children and is living with them at a transition home in Oklahoma City, a goal that she's had ever since walked through the doors of Jordan's Crossing.
Here's a list of resources:
- You can dial 988 to find services near you.
- Oklahoma Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- OK I'm Ready
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
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