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Fourth Times a Charm

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Lisa Blomgren
September 8, 2023

By: Lisa B., Transformations Alumni Coordinator

Three-time community college dropout. That was just one of many labels I had for myself during active addiction and well into early recovery as I felt the consequences of my using. I told myself many stories; “It’s too late,” “You’re too old,” “You’re not smart enough to pass that statistics class that is required of you anyways.” These stories kept me stagnant and unsure of what the future had in store for me, but one thing I was sure of was that I wanted more out of life. I was working a solid recovery program, living a healthier lifestyle, mending old relationships, and building new ones. Still, I did not know how I would ever advance beyond my dead-end job, working odd hours at the mall.

Luckily, my support network saw more in me than I could imagine for myself at the time and encouraged me to give it another go. College for a fourth time? How could I embarrass myself like that again if it did not work out? But also, what if it did work out? I was not exactly the person I was the last few times I was enrolled. What if the girl who could not do math actually could when she was sober and attending class? There were so many “what ifs,” and there were now more positive unknowns than negatives.

Recovery has provided me with a sense of hope, optimism, and direction. Anytime I face a difficult task, I remind myself that there was a time when I was unsure how I would make it through the day. There were times when I doubted I could ever take a sober breath, but somehow, I sit here today writing this blog going on 11 years sober, and guess what? I did end up passing that stats class and many more after that. I also realized what my passions and callings were; helping those who have struggled like I have.

Recovery has provided me with a blueprint for handling situations far beyond navigating and staying abstinent. I learned to take things one semester at a time. It was a lot less overwhelming that way. Instead of focusing on how long it would take me to complete my goal, I focused on the task in front of me in the present moment, and boy, oh boy, has it flown by.

I sit here today, about to start my clinical internship at Transformations. Me! The girl that almost did not go back to school because she thought starting over again for a fourth time was impossible. The message I hope to share with everyone is there is always a possibility of starting over. Whether it is your fourth time trying to stop drinking, your fourth time going to rehab, your fourth time trying to leave a bad relationship, or your fourth time enrolling in college. When we have a strong foundation of recovery under us, the possibilities are endless.

I look forward to continuing connecting with our Alumni, providing them support and resources that help them thrive, and also working more closely with our current clients as I begin this next chapter!