A Story of Hope

Ten-year-old Miaveya and her mother, Reyna, are proud of their close relationship. “Our faces light up when we see each other,” she says.

But it wasn’t always this way.

For eight years, Reyna grappled with substance use disorder. “During this time, I tried to hide my struggle and was productive in my education, successful in my career and my family life… until I wasn’t,” Reyna recalls. “Soon, it became a life-or-death situation for me. I was desperate to find help.”

Reyna tried many paths for recovery, from inpatient treatment to community support groups, without success. Finally she was referred to Hazelden Betty Ford, which offered something she had never considered.

“They recommended Miaveya attend the national Children’s Program,” she says. “The idea of bringing kids in as part of recovery—that wasn’t part of any other program.”

Her daughter’s participation in the Hazelden Betty Ford Children’s Program was a turning point for Reyna. “Miaveya became the key to my sobriety— and our family’s recovery,” she says.

As she looks forward to marking three years of sobriety, Reyna has become a “huge advocate for this model,” she says. “Addiction is a disease that affects the whole family. It’s OK to let our kids in to the conversation. They can be our guiding light.”