Changing Lives -A Story of Hope

Ms. V entered our shelter in December of 2021, broken and traumatized after attempting to flee the United States and enter Canada. She was being mistreated at her previous residence in California, negatively impacting her health, and she sought asylum elsewhere. NSO's care team met with Ms. V to assess the complexity of her situation and immediately began working on a personalized treatment plan to address all of her health needs. She had taken the first step in the right direction with the decision to receive care from NSO. ​

Ms. V suffered from a substance use disorder and had mental health concerns. A substance use disorder is a mental disorder that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Substance use disorders often come from a person's attempts to self-medicate a mental health condition. While working with our care team, Ms. V repeatedly stayed out overnight and returned under the influence. She needed a team that understood her health needs and could offer her resources to overcome the issues she faced. 

NSO's care team provided Ms. V with a therapist who helped her identify and treat her persistent feelings of depression and anxiety. They spoke openly and often poignantly about her journey, pain, and suffering. She hesitantly agreed with our recommendation to enroll in mental health and substance abuse services and began her journey to understand and overcome her disorder. Ms. V identified as transgender and was newly transitioning; she was given local LGBTQ+ resources, including being connected with Affirmations, an LGBTQ agency, to change her name legally. 

One step in the right direction led to Ms. V's discovery of her tapped potential for healing. With the stability of substance abuse services and therapy, Ms. V now maintains steady employment and was housed in an apartment in Detroit in April 2022. She continues receiving behavioral health services with NSO via telehealth and is steadfast in her commitment to healing and sobriety. 

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