I am a queer, Vietnamese person who moved to the United States at the age of 8 years old. Throughout my life I have faced many challenges from physical, emotional, sexual abuse, homelessness, and many other life events that had impacted my mental health. Growing up in a community that didn’t have any resources, understanding of what mental health is, or what programs are available, I have used drugs and alcohol as a source of escape.

Drugs and alcohol were that fix I needed to get away. It was either that, or plan my attempt to end my life once again. It was my escape where I found friendship and even a relationship. I never admitted that I was dependent on substances because it was not what I imagined substance dependency would look like.

Dependency to me was being like the “street druggie” on corners tripping out or just drunk everyday, even though I started drinking every other day. Drinking gave me something that I didn’t know how to give myself back then. It gave me permission, permission to be myself and to break down the barrier that I created to lock myself in.