Pamela once believed she had it all together, thinking her alcohol use wasn’t a problem. She had grown up in an environment where drinking was common, and after moving in with her aunt at 13 due to her mother’s struggles, she began drinking and continued for decades. At 15, she had her first child with a man who seemed caring but was also battling addiction. By 17, she had another child and was drawn into using harder drugs, leading to a destructive cycle.

In 1998, Pamela was diagnosed with cancer, but instead of using it as a wake-up call, she fell back into her old habits. Her life, once successful, spiraled into a nightmare of drugs, violence, and a ruined business. Though she supported her children financially, her addiction kept her from being truly present for them. It wasn’t until her children told her they needed her, not her money, that Pamela vowed never to let addiction take her family again.

Over the years, Pamela lost four of her five brothers, including her closest sibling, to an overdose. Although angry at first, she later understood that God was calling her to change. One winter night, with nothing left, she called her daughter and entered a detox facility. The day Dove’s Nest offered her a bed became the best day of her life.

At Dove’s Nest, Pamela learned to prioritize self-care and love. Her counselor, Ms. Angela, taught her the importance of self-love, a lesson that became a turning point in her recovery. Pamela found joy in helping others, rediscovered her faith, and experienced God’s love and grace.

Now, Pamela attends meetings, reads her Bible daily, and works as a caregiver. She has overcome health challenges and stays sober with her faith at the center. She never expected to find love again, but God brought her a partner who understands her journey. Together, they support each other’s recovery, and their family is focused on becoming the best versions of themselves.

Pamela is deeply grateful to Dove’s Nest and the Charlotte Rescue Mission. “If it weren’t for them, I never would have heard my son say he was proud of me,” she says. Her one-year sobriety chip is a daily reminder of God’s faithfulness and the transformative journey from where she was to where she is today.