ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Questions:
Journey & Experience:
1- Can you share a bit about your recovery journey and what brought you to Liberty?
Alumni Spotlight: Macall Peterson ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Questions: Journey & Experience: 1- Can you share a bit about your recovery journey and what brought you to Liberty? I have been through many trials and hardships along my recovery. When I was 15 years old I started using drugs. I have been to several rehabs and some worked for a little while until I stopped working on my recovery and when I did this I would relapse. The relapses landed me in jail then I would get clean for a little bit and I stayed stuck in a revolving door for a long time. When I was 18 years old my best friend died in my arms, and I was so terrified I didn’t call the cops. I ended up in prison for 45 months. I stayed sober for close to 10 years and relapsed due to hanging around unhealthy friends. I went in and out of rehab and prison a few more times. Finally, at age 37 I got arrested and went to prison. During this incarceration my boyfriend passed away from an overdose and I finally felt the change happen inside me or a spiritual awakening. I wanted to live life before it’s too late. I dove into rehab and took all the classes that were offered. My parole came 7 months early due to good behavior and I transitioned to Liberty PHP. This program saved my life and helped me find purpose. I am so grateful that I chose to go to Liberty..
2- What was the most impactful part of your time at Liberty?
Challenges & Growth: Liberty has impacted my recovery by providing me with resources and making me go out and do things for myself like filling out paperwork for food stamps, free phone service, doctors appointments. All these things I did while I was in treatment. This taught me to put my recovery first and the rest fell into place for me. The biggest challenge for me was utilizing and learning the bus routes and time-management. I was able to put all these skills and resources together and that created a strong foundation to my recovery journey.
3- What was the biggest challenge you faced during recovery, and how did you
overcome it?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced during my recovery journey was my boyfriend overdosing, I had to grieve the loss and reevaluate my whole life. This was the fork in the road that set me on the right path.
4- How has your life changed since leaving Liberty?
Successes & Goals: I have a job and it is in the recovery industry. I attend meetings and continue to work my steps with my sponsor. The greatest tool in recovery is having connections with people that are all wanting the same thing. Sobriety, health, happiness and long term emotional regulation.
5- What are you most proud of in your recovery journey?
I am proud of the experience I’ve had and the connections I have made in order to sustain my sobriety
Advice for Others:
6- What goals are you working on now, and what motivates you to keep going?
I am getting certified in peer support. I will have my certification on 7/18/25
7- What would you say to someone who is just starting their recovery journey?
Do not give up when it gets hard; those are the times when you truly change, grow and become the person you’re meant to be. You are not alone. Stay connected, go to meetings, get a sponsor!
8- How do you stay connected to the recovery community?
I stay connected to the recovery community by; attending meetings at least 2 per week, I work at Liberty as peer support and I have a sponsor.
