Healthy Living • Y Stories • YMCA Youth Programs
The Natural High: Nina's Y Story
25 August 2016 - by June Findlay
When you talk with Nina*, you instantly feel her cheerful demeanour, lively spirit, and knack for personal connections. It doesn’t take long to realize that she’s been through a lot in her life, but she is determined to make her time matter to herself and those around her.
Twenty-one years ago, Nina was struggling with an addiction to drugs. Though she had had high hopes for herself (her fascination with the human anatomy fed her desire to be a doctor), her life took a very different path. While in hospital recovering from alcohol poisoning, following years of experimenting with different drugs, she realized where she was and where she wanted to be. “The nurse taking care of me reminded me of what I wanted to do with my life, and that’s when I decided to make a change,” Nina says. “I couldn’t take it anymore.”
A friend told her about the YMCA’s Youth Substance Abuse Program (YSAP), and because of its no-hassle sign-up process (all that’s needed is a call to make an appointment), Nina decided to give it a try. Her first meeting gave her the motivation she needed to commit to making a change in her life, but in a way she never thought possible.
Norman*, the person who would eventually become her counsellor, challenged her like no other counsellor she had previously seen.
“He got to know me,” Nina says. “Having someone believe in me, not in the typical cliché way, but the whole notion of ‘I see who you are, let’s cultivate that’ really empowered me.
Norman* was there for Nina when times got tough — and especially when they brought her family into the recovery process. “Norman’s best asset was being a mediator,” she says. “If things got out of hand, he would step in. If I got out of hand, he stepped in. The stronger I got with my family, the more Norman’s role diminished. He helped us transition.”
What really impressed Nina was the harm-reduction approach Norman took with her. “[YSAP] really works on that aspect of things. If you’re facing a tough situation, they figure out the way to deal with it that causes you the least amount of harm. As you figure things out, the need to abuse goes away…it’s a lifestyle change, really.”
Now a nurse and living a sober life, Nina is dedicated to helping children and youth improve their lives, just as Norman helped her. Thanks to a decision she made decades ago, the help she got from her support system (including Norman), and her iron will to survive and to thrive, she is realizing her dreams every day. “The natural high is the best high in the world”, an emotional Nina says, “better than any drug you will ever take. I’ve been feeling that lately, and I really don’t want to let that go.”
To others struggling with substance abuse, Nina poses a challenge: “[Your] dream has already come true — but you really, really have to trust in the process. Don’t give up, it’s so worth it.”
Click here to get more information about the YMCA’s Youth Substance Abuse Program.
*Name has been changed to protect their identity.
Twenty-one years ago, Nina was struggling with an addiction to drugs. Though she had had high hopes for herself (her fascination with the human anatomy fed her desire to be a doctor), her life took a very different path. While in hospital recovering from alcohol poisoning, following years of experimenting with different drugs, she realized where she was and where she wanted to be. “The nurse taking care of me reminded me of what I wanted to do with my life, and that’s when I decided to make a change,” Nina says. “I couldn’t take it anymore.”
A friend told her about the YMCA’s Youth Substance Abuse Program (YSAP), and because of its no-hassle sign-up process (all that’s needed is a call to make an appointment), Nina decided to give it a try. Her first meeting gave her the motivation she needed to commit to making a change in her life, but in a way she never thought possible.
Norman*, the person who would eventually become her counsellor, challenged her like no other counsellor she had previously seen.
“He got to know me,” Nina says. “Having someone believe in me, not in the typical cliché way, but the whole notion of ‘I see who you are, let’s cultivate that’ really empowered me.
Norman* was there for Nina when times got tough — and especially when they brought her family into the recovery process. “Norman’s best asset was being a mediator,” she says. “If things got out of hand, he would step in. If I got out of hand, he stepped in. The stronger I got with my family, the more Norman’s role diminished. He helped us transition.”
What really impressed Nina was the harm-reduction approach Norman took with her. “[YSAP] really works on that aspect of things. If you’re facing a tough situation, they figure out the way to deal with it that causes you the least amount of harm. As you figure things out, the need to abuse goes away…it’s a lifestyle change, really.”
Now a nurse and living a sober life, Nina is dedicated to helping children and youth improve their lives, just as Norman helped her. Thanks to a decision she made decades ago, the help she got from her support system (including Norman), and her iron will to survive and to thrive, she is realizing her dreams every day. “The natural high is the best high in the world”, an emotional Nina says, “better than any drug you will ever take. I’ve been feeling that lately, and I really don’t want to let that go.”
To others struggling with substance abuse, Nina poses a challenge: “[Your] dream has already come true — but you really, really have to trust in the process. Don’t give up, it’s so worth it.”
Click here to get more information about the YMCA’s Youth Substance Abuse Program.
*Name has been changed to protect their identity.
