Linda Thomas

Mellwood, Class of 1996 B.S. Human Services-Rehabilitative Services, expected graduate date: 2012

I came to Second Genesis with my two sons Jesse 8, and Jermaine who turned 6 years-old the day I entered treatment. I entered Second Genesis just to take a break from the ‘riff’ and the ‘raff’, after five months, I made a decision to change. The education I received coupled with the advice of my counselor ‘to try to give into the concept’ helped me make that decision. My counselor said, “It takes a lot of energy to fight the change and be rebellious, why don’t you give yourself a break?”, and on that advice, I began to live the program.
While at Mellwood, I learned parenting techniques that would prove to change the course of my children’s lives. Quickly, I saw the results of the family therapy sessions. My children and myself learned that there are consequences to actions – good and bad. I learned that their behavior was because of my behavior. The kids fed off of my emotions and actions. I learned that when I was upset, they are upset. When I acted out, they would act out at school, in groups, and other daily activities. During my treatment I saw the results of our dietary changes (a lack of sugar), structure (consistent bed times, etc.), and family counseling. We finally had structure and control over our lives. We had goals, dreams, and I finally realized that I was very much needed by these kids and I could be a wonderful mother. I was in the first graduating class for Second Genesis Women with Children Program. I was a speaker at my graduation and I had so much gratitude for all the hard work the staff poured into my treatment and for them loving me until I learned to love myself. They help me see that I could be a good mother, daughter, and sister without a drink or a drug.
After thirteen treatment facilities for my heroin addiction, I finally understood how to embrace recovery. Now, my children are grown, responsible men. Jesse has been working for the Pepsi Bottling Company since 2006, and Jermaine is away at college and traveling with his basketball team around the country.
After my eldest son finished high school, I began to persuade him to enter college. His reaction was surprising. He pointed out that I didn’t have a college degree and pushed me to go back to school. Now, I am working full-time as the Office Manager at Second Genesis’s headquarters in Silver Spring, MD while pursuing my degree in Rehabilitative Services.
My goal is to become a clinical auditor to help assure that clients who enter treatment receive what they need to become responsible members of their families, as well as in society.
Entering Second Genesis was a life changing experience that I thank God for daily, for allowing me a place to go with my children to not only help me with my addiction, but to help them heal from the damage my addiction has caused them.