My name is Dinah Rich and I am 47 years old. I have 6 children and one daughter who is deceased. I started using alcohol and drugs when I was 11 years old. My upbringing was abusive and by the age of 17 I was a full-fledged addict.

I dropped out of school and started to move around the country. I tried to change my life by moving, but, when my daughter died, I continued to make bad choices. I moved to Taney County and I married a man who dealt drugs for a living and stayed in that toxic relationship for 22 years. After the fourth drug raid by Taney County officers on our house, I decided it was time to leave the relationship.

My kids were ashamed of me and they expressed their disappointment and made it clear that they did not want to be around me. I continued to use despite the hurt and threat of loss of my kids to the Department of Family Services.

I have been to multiple treatment centers, drug transformation houses and psychiatric facilities — nothing they offered helped me. In September of 2012 I came to CORE and I have now been clean and sober for 2 years, 1 month and 21 days. Today, my kids are clean and sober and all are involved in my life. I am involved in my grandchildren’s lives.

Before coming to CORE, I really believed that God was done with me and that there was no way a 12 step program would work for me. Today, I have a good job at the Radisson Hotel and I have been there for almost 2 years, I manage one of the CORE women’s houses and I am involved in my kids’ lives. I never thought it was possible and I want to help others find the way out that I found.