Alana:

Alana remembers arriving at Triple Care Farm feeling frightened and alone. She had been grappling with addiction that was slowly taking over her life; with time, she realised that her treatment experience was preparing her to reclaim her potential.

She also learnt that fear, rather than being a barrier to her recovery, could actually be a catalyst for change. Years later, it’s a mantra she still calls on every day.

“Fear is what keeps me going. I now understand that fear is a positive, because it keeps me accountable and self-aware,” she says.

Alana wants to share the lessons she learnt at Triple Care Farm with other young people. She knows all too well what it feels like to experience addiction and the stigma that comes with it.

But she also knows that accessing help is worth the challenges that come with it.

“My goal is to work in public health or health promotion within the mental health or AOD [Alcohol and Other Drugs] space. My passion is educating others and showing them that anything is possible,” she says.

Choosing recovery, inspiring others 

That’s not to say that life has become easy. Even today, Alana still lives with physical and mental health issues. Recovery is never a given; instead, it remains a conscious choice.

That she remains committed to the journey is testament to her strength, and to the strength of all young people experiencing addiction who find the courage to change their lives.

“Your past is not your future,” Alana says. “If you think you can do something, you can.”