QR Volume 2- Final - Flipbook - Page 4
Recovery is Real:
Tanya Cowperthwaite's Story
Today, Tanya Cowperthwaite is a loving mom of two girls, a wife, and a community recovery advocate. Things haven’t
always been that way.
When growing up in Warner Robins, Tanya started showing symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and
depression. As is not unusual with these conditions, she also began self–harm. Despite these challenges, Tanya continued
with school and obtained a real estate license. Though her symptoms persisted, she subsequently worked in banking for 10
years, got married, and started her family.
During the birth of her first child, Tanya experienced sciatic nerve damage resulting in back surgery. Her doctor prescribed
opioids for her pain. Very quickly, the brain–based health condition of an opioid use disorder took hold.
Tanya’s story for the next four years: untreated ADHD and depression, addiction to opioids then methamphetamines, self–
cutting, overweight, caring for two little girls, a failing marriage then divorce. Tanya says, “I didn’t know what to do with
myself. Numbing was the best option I knew.”
Out of crisis comes opportunity: Eventually, Tanya lost custody of her beloved girls. February 20, 2017, she entered
outpatient treatment, then voluntary rehabilitation for a year. There, a physician appropriately diagnosed and treated her
ADHD and depression. With proper medication, her brain started functioning more effectively. She also benefited from anger
management training, parenting classes, and domestic violence coaching, while working on her parenting plan to regain
custody of her girls.
Some of Tanya’s blessings of recovery:
After completing treatment and aftercare, Tanya obtained a state scholarship to become a certified Peer Specialist (a
person with lived experience of recovery from mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders trained to
support others on their recovery journeys).
Her Pastor Terry Theus asked her to be the children's ministry director. The position gave her purpose and helped save
her life when suicidal thoughts would continue to intrude due to “no contact orders” with her children. (Recovery is most
often not linear, after all.)
Dec 13, 2017, Tanya regained custody of her girls. 11 recovery peers joined her in court to support and celebrate.
Tanya has served as group secretary of a Narcotics Anonymous group to give back.
Tanya surrendered her life to Jesus Christ June 21, 2017 and was baptized July 11, 2017. Tanya says, “I learned early
that I have to let God handle things. Like step 3 of the 12 steps say, I made a decision to turn my will and my life over to
the care of God as I understand Him. Rehabilitation saved my life, Jesus Christ saved my soul."
Tanya continues to be a leader for Celebrate Recovery at The Assembly in Warner Robins, leading a women’s 12 step
group and co-leading a women’s chemical dependency small group.
Tanya married on August 18, 2018. Her husband is a wonderful step father and spiritual leader of her family.
Tanya started her career as a Peer Specialist with River Edge 3 years ago. “River Edge gives me a sense of meaning and
purpose and my work helps me support my family, paying taxes and being a contributing member of society while living
out my purpose. River Edge lets me assist others’ rehabilitation by sharing my experience, strength, and hope and
sharing the knowledge that has been passed to me by many great mentors and a wonderful sponsor. River Edge also
allows me to be a part of a team that supports me in my recovery as well and genuinely wants me to succeed.”
River Edge also supported her when her step son committed suicide March 20, 2021. This was a“life on life’s terms”
moment.
Tanya is certified in Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), and a Certified Anger Management Specialist. She is
trained in Trauma-Informed Care. Tanya’s current goal is to be Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner. Her long–
term goal is to attend college and study social work. “I want to advocate for moms and help them transition into
recovery.”
Tanya’s lived experience is proof that mental illnesses and addictions are biological health conditions that respond well to
research-proven treatment. There remain many moms who are desperate for a ray of hope in what seems a bleak future of
untreated mental illness and addiction. Won’t you join Tanya’s mantra to “do the next right thing for the next right reason”
and support River Edge today?
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