By: Geraldine H., WRAP Facilitator, Ireland
There was a time when I wasn’t living—I was barely surviving. Caught in addiction and domestic violence, I was disconnected from who I was. I abused over-the-counter medication to numb pain and escape chaos. I didn’t know what healing meant or believe I deserved it. I just knew I couldn’t keep going.
Addiction was my coping mechanism—and my cage. It silenced and isolated me, filling my mind with fear and shame. I felt powerless, like life was happening to me.
Then I discovered WRAP—the Wellness Recovery Action Plan. It didn’t fix everything, but it gave me hope—hope that recovery was possible, that I was still in there beneath the pain. WRAP taught me personal responsibility in an empowering way. I learned to make small choices that supported my wellness and took charge of my healing.
I also learned the importance of self-advocacy—how to speak up, ask for what I need, and set clear boundaries. Education helped me understand my patterns and build strategies to stay well. My Daily Plan helps me to navigate life’s ups and downs.
Most importantly, peer support groups gave me a safe, equal space where I felt understood and free from judgment. Being part of this community helped me build self-confidence and step out of survival mode.
This journey isn’t perfect, but now I have tools, people, and hope. WRAP reminds me I matter—and I’m reclaiming my life, one day at a time.
