I have been sober since June 20, 2008. Before I entered the Red Lotus Recovery house almost two years ago, I considered myself a chronic "relapser." I beat my previous milestone and relapsed, over and over again until the Red Lotus Recovery gave me exactly what I needed:
* Sober living within a framework of basic rules and required AA meetings;
* Compassionate individual counseling and weekly group meetings;
* Encouragement and support from house mates on the same path - learning to be sober;
* An opportunity to be a community leader as a Senior Resident;
* A room of my own.
I'm flourishing within this environment I call my "home." I've grown in ways I never could have imagined. I remain here because it continues to fuel my spirit, nurture my sobriety, and provide me comfort. I am and will always be eternally grateful to an atmosphere that allows me to find me!
Sierra
My name is Sierra and my sobriety date is February 15, 2007. For the first few months after I moved to Atlanta to get sober, I lived in a half-way house. There were 3 or 4 women to a bedroom, and at any one time there were 10 or more women sharing one bathroom and one kitchen! It was a valuable learning experience, but at 7 months of sobriety, I was ready to move on. After a couple of sober living situations with friends in the program, I moved into one of the houses that later became Red Lotus Recovery.
This place has really become a home for me. With weekly process groups, individual therapy available and more structure and guidance, I have bloomed and blossomed here. I feel supported in recovery, and a part of a group of amazing women. At the house meetings, I have learned to deal with conflict constructively and resolve resentment in a safe, supportive environment.
When Remmawii bought these houses, she did some much-needed improvements, like painting. We painted the bathrooms, and it was during the painting of my room that Remmawii and I had a conversation that has changed my life. She asked me “If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be?” and I quickly answered, “I want to be a therapist, do what you do, do drug and alcohol counseling.” She told me to go back to school and get a degree.
Scoffing at that idea, with no way financially that I could see at the time to go back to school, I just filed it away, thinking it would never happen. That was May, 2008. By October, after thinking about it over and over, I asked my parents if they thought it was a good idea I go back to school. Much to my surprise, they were behind it 100%. I started talking to other sober people and Remmawii about what I needed to do and what kind of degree I would need. My parents have since supported me emotionally and financially, as this summer semester I attended Perimeter College in Dunwoody, going back to college for the first time in many years.
Remmawii has been one of my biggest cheerleaders. I am doing well in school, getting good grades, mainly A’s, and feeling supported by my roommates and others who live in these houses. Now, I am moving on again, up to Dalton State to get a Bachelor’s in Social Work, to go eventually and get a Master’s level LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker, the same degree that Karuna has).
Being at Red Lotus, being supported in my recovery and learning valuable lessons here, I am able to move on and realize my dreams of becoming a therapist. The houses are a great place to get a good foundation in recovery and learn life-skills that help me be a better person. As I look with excitement to the future, I will always be grateful to Remmawii and the women I have lived and learned with here at Red Lotus Recovery.
Grace
ON APRIL 28, 2003 I WAS A BEGGAR, ADDICTED TO DRUGS AND STOLE TO GET ME DRUGS. IT IS AMAZING TO ME HOW QUICKLY I WENT DOWN. I TRICKED MEN AND WOMEN OUT OF EVERYTHING THEY HAD. I WAS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE. ONE DAY, I WAS BUYING MY DRUGS AND THE MAN WHO SOLD IT TO ME SAID THAT I LOOK LIKE I'M SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED AND TOLD ME ABOUT MARY HALL FREEDOM HOUSE. I FOLLOWED HIS SUGGESTION AND WENT TO MARY HALL FREEDOM HOUSE WHERE THEY "LOVE YOU UNTIL YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF." I ASK THE LORD TO TAKE THE TASTE OF THIS DRUGS FROM MY MOUTH AND LET ME SEE THE BEAUTY OF THIS WORLD WITHOUT THE USE OF DRUGS. THAT WAS SIX YEARS AGO. I WENT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO BECOME A HUMAN AGAIN THAT CAN LOVE AND BE LOVED.
I HAVE COME TO LOVE THE RECOVERY WAY OF LIFE. I KNOW THAT GOD SPEAKS THROUGH PEOPLE AND I HAVE MET A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SEE ME AS A TRUE AND BEAUTIFUL PERSON. I TAKE MY RECOVERY VERY SERIOUSLY AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADVICE ANYONE TO COME AND MAKE RECOVERY A BIG PART OF THEIR LIFE. I ALSO HAVE BEEN IN A GOOD PLACE THAT IS CALL REDLOTUSRECOVERY FOR THE WOMEN THAT NEED TO BEGIN HEALING WITH THERAPY, YOGA, COUNSELING, ETC. SO IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT TAKING ANOTHER HIT OR A DRINK,!!! PLEASE DON’T DO IT !!! I CAN’T HE CAN SO I’M GOING TO LET HIM.
Lila-Kesavi
After many years of sobriety, I relapsed and drank for several years, losings my jobs, my cars and my home during that time. Finding myself homeless, I was fortunate enough to make my way to Mary Hall Freedom House, where I lived for six months. Upon leaving MHFH, I moved into the halfway house of the Red Lotus Recovery, where I have been welcome with open arms and hearts. I've learned that spiritual practice alone won't keep me sober; 12-step recovery is and will of necessity always be a huge part of my continuing sobriety and growth. I am so grateful to the Red Lotus Recovery for giving me a safe refuge while I "ease my way" back to a more balanced, and healthy sober way of living.
Roz
My experience at the Red Lotus Recovery is perhaps different than the other residents. Despite the love and devotion shown to the clients here, my recovery story took a different turn. Unfortunately my story included a relapse while living at the Red Lotus Recovery (picture insert is the heart chakra). My heart needs some healing.
When coming here as a new resident I had six months sober under my belt, a management job (very high pressure) and a devotion to the gym. The road to maintaining my sobriety was clear, but my priorities changed. Instead of including the prescribed number of AA meetings in my busy schedule, I began to rely on my time in the gym to keep me sober. Instead of interacting with the other residents for support and friendship, I kept to myself. I thought that I knew what was best for me. I even began making excuses for not attending the weekly process group. I did not want to be told by others how to stay sober. I could not open up and share about the stress at work with the group.
One night when I could no longer take the pressure of the schedule that I had created, having a drink seemed to be the only way to relieve myself. It took a matter of weeks before I went down in flames. I had a relapse so severe, that I broke my arm in a drunken fall, and had to be hospitalized for my detox. This is where being at the Red Lotus Recovery saved my life. Remmawii, the Executive Director, showered me with love, instead of harsh judgment. The other residents gave me their full support and friendship, instead of casting me out. Instead of putting me out on the street, I was allowed to stay with certain specifications such as daily AA meetings and getting a sponsor, interacting with the other residents daily and learning to trust my Senior Resident who has been there for me through thick and thin.
As a result of all of this and a fair tough-love approach, I am now well on my way to six months of staying sober. I have placed my sobriety at the top of my list of priorities, and am honored to have my housemates' friendship and love in my life. I am now making up for the sober time lost and creating my own happy ending thanks to the Red Lotus Recovery programs.
R E D L O T U S R E C O V E R Y
My name is Sierra and my sobriety date is February 15, 2007. For the first few months after I moved to Atlanta to get sober, I lived in a half-way house. There were 3 or 4 women to a bedroom, and at any one time there were 10 or more women sharing one bathroom and one kitchen! It was a valuable learning experience, but at 7 months of sobriety, I was ready to move on. After a couple of sober living situations with friends in the program, I moved into one of the houses that later became Red Lotus Recovery. 
ON APRIL 28, 2003 I WAS A BEGGAR, ADDICTED TO DRUGS AND STOLE TO GET ME DRUGS. IT IS AMAZING TO ME HOW QUICKLY I WENT DOWN. I TRICKED MEN AND WOMEN OUT OF EVERYTHING THEY HAD. I WAS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE. ONE DAY, I WAS BUYING MY DRUGS AND THE MAN WHO SOLD IT TO ME SAID THAT I LOOK LIKE I'M SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED AND TOLD ME ABOUT MARY HALL FREEDOM HOUSE. I FOLLOWED HIS SUGGESTION AND WENT TO MARY HALL FREEDOM HOUSE WHERE THEY "LOVE YOU UNTIL YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF." I ASK THE LORD TO TAKE THE TASTE OF THIS DRUGS FROM MY MOUTH AND LET ME SEE THE BEAUTY OF THIS WORLD WITHOUT THE USE OF DRUGS. THAT WAS SIX YEARS AGO. I WENT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO BECOME A HUMAN AGAIN THAT CAN LOVE AND BE LOVED. 
After many years of sobriety, I relapsed and drank for several years, losings my jobs, my cars and my home during that time. Finding myself homeless, I was fortunate enough to make my way to Mary Hall Freedom House, where I lived for six months. Upon leaving MHFH, I moved into the halfway house of the Red Lotus Recovery, where I have been welcome with open arms and hearts. I've learned that spiritual practice alone won't keep me sober; 12-step recovery is and will of necessity always be a huge part of my continuing sobriety and growth. I am so grateful to the Red Lotus Recovery for giving me a safe refuge while I "ease my way" back to a more balanced, and healthy sober way of living.
My experience at the Red Lotus Recovery is perhaps different than the other residents. Despite the love and devotion shown to the clients here, my recovery story took a different turn. Unfortunately my story included a relapse while living at the Red Lotus Recovery (picture insert is the heart chakra). My heart needs some healing.