Crystal's Story
Growing up in a large family, I often felt lost in the crowd, struggling with a sense of loneliness. When I began experimenting with drugs in grade 10, I thought I had found an escape—a way to connect. Instead, it deepened my isolation and eventually lead to my parents kicking me out and told me I wasn’t welcome home until I got better.
It’s a really scary thing as a teenager to have no home, no sense of safety, and no plans or hope for the future. I stopped going to school, and I started doing anything to get high.
If adult Crystal could talk to teenager Crystal, I would have told 15-year-old me that there are people who can help – you don’t have to be alone. But there wasn’t anyone to tell me that, or at least I wasn’t able to listen. Instead, using drugs was at the centre of my life for over two years.
I experienced some things I would never wish upon my worst enemy, and all I could do was ignore the big feelings inside of me – deep hurt and incredible shame. Hurt people hurt people, and so my words and actions caused others pain too.
In the spring that I turned 18, I was hanging around a bus stop downtown when I noticed someone from my high school. I quickly stepped back when I saw him – I had had a crush on Amir, and I didn’t want him to see me as I was now. But my movement must have caught his eye. He recognized me, and I saw his look of surprise. And then it changed to concern. He looked at his watch and said, “Hey Crystal, can I get you some lunch?”
Amir had remembered my name and in that moment of kindness, I was flooded with gratitude, self-worth and hope. I nodded and he took me into the MacDonald’s on Rideau Street. It was awkward, but eventually we got talking and he told me about his older brother who had struggled with drugs, but had gotten help at a place called Rideauwood.
For several weeks after that, I turned what I now like to call “the date” over and over in my head. Eventually, after some more suffering, I decided I would check this Rideauwood place out. I was so unhappy, and I felt I had absolutely nothing to lose anymore.
At Rideauwood I was able to be connected with a counsellor fairly quickly. It took awhile for me to trust Beth, but she really seemed to understand what it’s like when part of you knows that you can’t keep living the way you are, but that part of you really wants to continue using all the time anyway.
I had never had a really honest conversation about my relationship with substances. It was a relief to really be truly seen, understood, and accepted.
Through group sessions and ongoing support, I began to rebuild my life. With support, I was able to find a safe place to live and connect with resources to access food and new clothing. Eventually, I obtained my high school diploma, and I have been working at the same company for almost 15 years. Through work, I met my best friend, and she is an important part of my support system.
The incredible sense of belonging and connection I experienced at Rideauwood helped me to change my relationships with substances, with myself and with others. The Rideauwood program was challenging, but the counsellors were so compassionate and encouraging and that made all the difference.
Rideauwood remains a crucial part of my healing journey, and I’m deeply grateful to people like you who ensure it’s there for those in need. Especially now, as the pandemic has intensified the demand for addiction services, every donation helps bridge the gap for those waiting to find hope, just as I did.
That’s why I’ve chosen to become a monthly donor—to pay forward the support that transformed my life. Addiction is a battle, but recovery is possible with the right support. Your generosity ensures Rideauwood can offer that lifeline.
Please join me in supporting Rideauwood today.
Together, we can provide the guidance and compassion that changes lives, offering hope where it’s needed most.
With peace and gratitude,
Note: Rideauwood uses representative stories to reflect the real experiences of people who have found hope and healing through our programs.
