Client Relies on Faith and Time to Beat Addiction
Rachel White is a professional lyric dancer, a culinary student, a daughter, and a recovering alcoholic.
By all accounts, White was a typical suburban teenager. She grew up in the Kansas City area and lived a very stable life. “I never got into trouble as a teenager,” White said. “I did well in school and never really had a problem.”
After school, White made her way to New York to be a professional dancer. She also worked as a waitress and would routinely go out with her co-workers after hours. “I felt more comfortable hanging out with them after I had a drink," White said. "And soon I needed a few drinks to get through the night.” Drinking became a regular part of White’s day, and eventually she would drink almost a full bottle of vodka a day. “I would fill up a water or Sprite bottle and walk around drinking all day. Nobody knew.”
White eventually lost her job as a dancer. She lost several other jobs as well. During this tumultuous time, White bounced in and out of several treatment programs, but was never successful at maintaining sobriety.
“I really thought I could control my drinking – moderate my drinking,” White said. “I said all the things you’re supposed to say during treatment. But I never really did the work.”
White eventually went through The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) program, which is a six-month work-therapy program helping people maintain sobriety through employment. The women in the program work a full day with a set schedule, and attend classes and therapy sessions in the evenings.
“This type of program provides our clients structure and opportunities for accomplishments,” said Major Julie Aren, program administrator for the Women's ARC.
The program also provides time for clients to truly understand and address their addictions, and learn how to live day-to-day without using. “The biggest difference between this and other treatment programs is the six months,” White said. “Other programs are not this long. This program gives you the time to learn how to live your life clean.”
White completed her treatment plan and had her completion ceremony in May. The next Monday, she started a new job as a store manager at a local boutique grocery store. “I’m excited to start this new chapter in my life. I’m nervous, but I know with God and The Salvation Army, I can do it.”