Recovery Center’s Rose uses her past to guide others to a brighter future

Published 11:30 am Tuesday, August 8, 2023

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Today, Jessica Rose is a First Day Forward Peer Support Specialist at The Recovery Center, formerly Achieving Recovery Together, on South Main Street.

However, it wasn’t long ago that the mother of three faced an uphill battle.

In a community that looks to serve those battling Substance Use Disorder, Rose – who will celebrate five years of sobriety on Jan. 3, 2024 – is one of many examples of those who have fought through adversity to overcome addiction.

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“There is a way out. You don’t have to die in addiction. You can live clean and sober,” she said. “The choices that you make really do affect you and everyone around you. You just have to stay focused and keep that mindset.”

Originally from Richmond, Rose – by her admission – had an upbringing without trauma or abuse and describes her parents as model citizens.

However, at age fourteen, she began using drugs.

In a Youtube video clip titled “Peer Support STORIES: Jessica Rose” found on the Northeast KY Substance Use Response Coalition account, Rose explains how her drug use began.

“I wanted to hang out at this creek where everyone partied, and I was never able to do that. I wanted to be like all the kids who got to go do those things,” she said in the video. “I just started lying to mom and dad and saying I was going to my little friend’s house next door. Really, I was sneaking to the creek.”

What started as cocaine usage eventually developed, with Rose having used and battled addiction to heroin, Xanax and other substances by her late twenties.

However, she was introduced to Celebrate Recovery at the Madison County Detention Center.

The organization is a Christian-centered, 12-step recovery program for those battling substance use disorder or facing other challenges.

Eventually moving to the Hope Center, a Lexington organization dedicated to providing comprehensive life-rebuilding and life-sustaining services, Rose connected with a staff member who had also worked with her at Celebrate Recovery.

“She became my first sponsor,” Rose said. “The Hope Center is really what saved my life. It gave me the tools I needed to learn to deal with myself, but also it humbled me. It was my world, and everybody just lived with it. When I got there, that wasn’t the case at all; they gave me a sense of structure that I’d never really had.”

After twelve months at The Hope Center, Rose returned home and continued her treatment while finding work, continuing with meetings, and staying focused on the future.

Eventually, she found her way to Winchester.

“Achieving Recovery Together is who gave me my first opportunity to work in recovery,” she said.

Rose was also motivated by family.

“[Addiction] will take everything. It will take your family. It will take your life. It will take your kids. You will hurt the people that you love the absolute most,” she said. “I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was sick of disappointing my parents. I was sick of disappointing my kids I wanted something different so badly. I wanted my kids to have a mommy they were proud of and my parents to have their daughter back.”

Now, having stayed sober for nearly five whole years, Rose – currently on maternity leave – can care for her three children – two of which are ages nine and six.

As the Peer Support Specialist for First Day Forward, a jail reentry program established through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, she takes action in several ways – including sponsoring girls in recovery as one did for her many years ago.

She also works on grants alongside organizations First Day Forward partners with, completes service work, and more.

“Pretty much anything I can do to help somebody get sober, I’m willing to do,” Rose said.