My name is Marie, and my tribal affiliation is the Southern Ute Tribe. I work for Tribal Information Services, and I’m raising two daughters.  

I struggled with alcohol use, but it hasn’t been in my life for a while. For me, family was an inspiration to find recovery. I wanted to be someone my kids looked up to. When you struggle with addiction, you’re labeled, and that judgment can keep you from getting help. People who haven’t been through it can look down on a person and make them feel small.  

Practicing our traditions can help with recovery from addiction. When you get in touch with your culture, you can understand what you’re praying for, how to clear your mind or find energy that helps you stay calm. It’s why praying, sweating, and smudging will help you realize you’re not alone, even if you feel like you are.  

If you have a family member struggling with addiction, let them know that there’s always a safe place for them to go when they reach out because sometimes, when you’re in addiction, it feels like you’re alone.  

In our community, many of us females raise our kids by ourselves. Some might have been in a relationship for a long time with a partner also struggling with addiction. It’s a hard decision to separate, especially when you have kids, and it’s a decision you have to make about the well-being of your children. It’s not easy, but you have to remember that they’re watching and they’re learning.  

We talk about breaking the cycle. And doing what is best for your children is a part of that cycle. Even if you don’t know how to break it right away, that’s okay. Because your children will watch how you handled it and see you overcome addiction, that will help guide them to know that they don’t have to stay in the same place if they are ever in a similar situation.  

Recovery from addiction is always possible. Find support and resources at LTLSouthernUte.org.