Recovery Success Story: Carlene Cathey
Turning a life around 
By Bob Lytle
Before: Carlene’s grew up in a house with both parents on drugs. She was molested by my aunt from the age of six to eight years old. Her mother lost her and her sister to Child Protective Services (CPS) and she had to begin looking after both of them. Her aunt molested her, giving her Thunderbird wine that started her substance use. At 11 years old, hanging around with 17-18 year old “friends” she started smoking weed. At 19 a girlfriend introduced her to “Primos” – weed laced with Crack. By 20 she was stealing and going to jail. She couldn’t stop using even while pregnant. She lost her first two kids and started smoking crack cocaine. At that point she was a prostitute and became homeless. As her addiction got worse she finally decided that this life was not for her and I began to try and get clean.
After: In 2010 Carlene started rehab, now 13 years later and many relapses she has been able to sustain her sobriety. After I received her Recovery Services Peer Specialist (CRPS) certificate, she was accepted at the Houston Recovery Center (HRC) for an internship. Since August, 2023, she has been working in the Sobering Center with Lisa Rizo. Carlene says, “I thank HRC. They made the rehab experience feel personal and they advocate for you in many ways. To others, I say, never give up, you just have to work for it.”
“Never give up, the sky is the limit, you just have to work for it.”
Background
My name is Carlene. I am 40 years old I have been in and out of recovery programs since 2010. I now have 14 months in recovery.
I grew up in a house with both parents on drugs. I was molested by my aunt from 6-8 years old. My mother lost my sister and me to Child Protective Services (CPS) and I had to look after both of us. My dad got me out of CPS but being a single father, he relied on his adult nieces and nephews to raise me, so I was moved around from house to house.
My aunt molested me, giving me Thunderbird wine that started my substance use. At 11 years old, hanging around with 17-18 year old “friends” I started smoking weed. At 19 my girlfriend introduced me to “Primos” – weed laced with Crack. By 20 I was stealing and going to jail. I couldn’t stop using even while pregnant. I lost my first two kids and started smoking crack cocaine. I started prostitution and became homeless. My addiction got worst and I blamed it on my feeling a yearning for my kids. Finally, I decided that this life was not for me and I began to try and get clean.
Trust in people and in a program
I used to think that once I got clean and sober, and gained things back – job, car, apartment, etc. – that I wouldn’t need the AA program anymore and things would return to normal. This is not the case. In 2010 I was in rehab and doing well, but now 13 years later and many relapses I have been able to sustain my sobriety and grow. After I received my Recovery Services Peer Specialist (CRPS) certificate, HRC accepted me for an internship. Since August, 2023, I am now working in the Sobering Center with Lisa Rizo. I get to see the results of all the services in each HRC program. I have learned to talk to my peers and attend meetings. I have a sponsor; my support team has grown and I feel more independent. I think trusting in the programs, being honest and vulnerable, and depending on people and being in therapy have help me be successful this time.
I don’t feel like the world is against me anymore. It’s about what I can do to help others and leave an impact on their lives. I fight daily with the fear of failure so I’m so proud of my CRPS certification. I thank HRC. They make the rehab experience feel personal and they advocate for you in many ways. To others, I say, “never give up, even if relapse is a part of your journey. The sky is the limit, you just have to work for it.”
I don’t feel like the world is against me anymore.