'Prove them wrong every day'

News reports commonly shine a light on drug overdoses and warrants carried out on drug distributors and manufacturers. But we rarely get to see the faces and hear the stories of people who struggle with addiction. Samara Jones is currently in recovery at Lotus Recovery House in Tiffin. Jones has been at Lotus for a little over a year and spent some time away from the house due to a few ups and downs. Jones started to get into trouble in the early 2000s, she said. At one point, she was arrested for distributing drugs with her significant other at the time. She was sentenced to jail and her children went to live with her sister while she was gone. "While I was in jail, my four-year-old daughter passed away in an apartment fire," Jones said. "I started dealing with guilt because of my choices. I kept feeling that I was the reason why she died. If I hadn't been in jail, maybe she would still be here." When Jones was released, she got her own place to live and was doing things on her own. About 1-2 years later, she was caught at a low point and started doing cocaine. She found herself in and out of jail again. Jones said she was on cocaine for about seven years but then started into different drugs, crack and heroin specifically. "I overdosed a few times. Then I got sick. My body was filled with infections. I had to learn how to walk again and was in a coma for eight days. I had multiple surgeries in my right eye and I'm blind in it forever," Jones explained. When she had her last overdose, Jones was charged by the police department. She missed her court date and went to jail when she was caught on her warrant. "I was desperate to find female sober living while I was in jail," she said. "I didn't want to go back out into Fostoria, I knew I would go right to a dealer. "Firelands told me to reach out to the Mental Health Board. I called the board from jail and got directed to Stephanie to come to Lotus." Stephanie Churella, manager of Lotus Recovery House, remembers meeting Samara well. "I picked up Samara directly from jail," Churella said. "It is amazing to see the change in her from that day. "She is in full blown recovery and has become a peer veteran, which means she is in charge of the house when I'm not here. She is a role model for the younger girls. I am incredibly proud of her." Jones has come to understand that, in her situation, she must deal with addiction but also mental health concerns. So, she has to learn double the coping skills and do double the work, she said. "It took me awhile to realize how important my mental health medication is to my recovery," Jones said. "There have been times where I feel that I'm better and stop taking my medication. But all that does is make things worse," she said. Jones explained that the group aspect of the home helps her to thrive. The women in the home put together outings and go to social events. "It helps to know you're not alone in what you're going through. The other girls and Stephanie are always there to talk. Being in a group also helps when we socialize because you already know the other girls, so you feel more comfortable," she said. "You can't worry about the negativity. I worry more about what I think and feel about myself," Jones said about the negative comments people make about addicts and those in recovery. "When you live your life the best you can, you prove them wrong every day." If you are struggling with addiction, reach out to the Crisis Hotline at 1 (800) 826-1306 or text HOPE to 741741. You may also reach out to the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot counties by calling (419) 448-0640.