Today we’d like to introduce you to Lanette Denton.
Hi Lanette, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My recovery journey started many years ago; I just never could quite get my footing. I started using at a young age, depending on what substance you ask me about, but serious ones; I was super young, and I would end up using most of my life. Alcohol and Methamphetamine would be the two that owned me mainly in the judicial system, but you can add marijuana and cigarettes financially to that for years. It wasn’t until 10 years ago, when I was 38 years old that I finally was able to say that I was a person in long-term recovery. It took me many times to fail to get to where I am today. Each and everyone is filled with lessons and stepping stones. That helped get me here today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. In the beginning, I had the obstacles of charges, felonies, housing, stigma, employment, mental health, and court obligations. Year 3-6 Drivers license reinstatement, credit damage, housing/ felonies/ credit score/ career/banking/family dynamics. Years 6-10 These were my most challenging years so far. Adult children are going through their struggles. Guilt, grandchildren, death of both parents, felonies/ and pardon process. Most of these challenges I have overcome. Some have proven more difficult. And will still take some time. I get to live life on life’s Terms today. No one can prepare you for the reality of life. I thought If I got sober, everything would get easier. And some things have for sure, and I am so grateful that I got to be present and sober for each event today. And for the ones that aren’t easier, well, today, I get to do hard things, and I get to do them with people who love me. And we come out stronger because of it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a certified peer support specialist. I use my lived experience to help provide strength and hope to others. I work for a non-profit organization called USARA- Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness. Who’s mission is to connect and inspire the community to advocate for recovery awareness. I get to help folks navigate their way through all systems and help build their recovery capital as they find their way on their recovery pathway, whatever that may be, and help bridge any gaps and barriers along the way. The thing I am most proud of is meeting folks where they are with zero expectations. I’ve been in their shoes. I know how hard it can be. So, I sit with them wherever they are in the process. For some, it’s in use or jail, while for others, it’s in the beginning, and for some, it’s the building phase; it just depends. They get to decide, but no one has to do it alone.
Do you have any advice for those just starting?
If you are torn between two feelings simultaneously and it doesn’t make sense, know this is normal. It’s called ambivalence. A person can feel like this about something for a long time. Talk about it. I did not. I thought I was going crazy, and I was isolated; once I started talking about wanting to use substances but also wanting to get sober, only then was I able to start moving.
We are also rebranding and the new website is www.utahrecovers.org . Is there anyway that you can change that ? If not it is okay. Both web sites work for now. Thanks again for allowing me this opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.myusara.com
- Facebook: Usara-moab
