Krista Got Clean
by Jeffrey Stockbridge
I photographed Krista back in 2009. See here. Two weeks ago she emailed me to tell me she had gotten clean. She stopped by my studio and shared her story below.
Audio Transcript
Krista: Uh, my name is Krista, I’ve been clean since May 13, 2011. I’m kinda fascinated by looking pictures of myself when, you know, I was using, um… and I’d like to keep them as a reminder because I know myself that I’d get high one time and I’d be right back, um, standing out there.
I always think it’s cool to let somebody know, like “Hey, I’m okay now.” You know? Uh, I just, you know, I just think people like you that do things like this would actually be interested in knowing that, you know, somebody got through and they’re alright, they’re not dead, they’re not still out there, they’re doing better. So I, you know, contacted you and here I am.
I couldn’t say that it was like a traumatic event that made me wanna get clean or, you know, I didn’t find God or anything like that, I just, you know, I feel like I just grew up, you know? I was thirty-three when I got clean; I’m thirty-six now, and I feel like I’ve wasted my life. You know… I don’t regret… I don’t regret it because I learned a lot of things, and I’m… I think that I’m a pretty good person and I don’t think I would be the same or be as compassionate or, you know, understanding. I think I’m at the point now that everything that I have and that’s… not material things at all, but like, the people and friends and everything that I have in my life, like, is not worth me losing, you know, just to feel good for, you know, a couple hours, it’s just not worth it to me anymore.
JS: So what are you doing now?
K: Well right now I’m going to school for veterinary tech, um, I’m a crazy cat lady, um… I always, I always loved animals, when I was growing up I used to ride horses and I always wanted to be a veterinarian, and uh, obviously I can’t become an actual veterinarian at this point, I’m kinda old, so I started, um, school for vet tech, I volunteered at the SPCA for two years, the first two years of… of being clean… um, I got this kitten, and he was like, the world to me, because that animal, as long as I fed him, you know, he loved me no matter what. And uh, it was like my kid.
Like I told you, when I look at these pictures it’s like… I don’t even know that person; it’s so weird. I didn’t feel sorry for myself, I didn’t want other people to feel sorry for me. I knew what I was doing was wrong and that I was killing myself, I just didn’t care, you know? I… a lot of people like to say that… well, and it’s true, that drug addicts and alcoholics are selfish, self-centered people. And we are, because we wanna do what we wanna do, and, you know, not care what anybody… how anyone else feels, but at the same time, I didn’t care about myself enough, you know, to… to do something about it. And, because I’d been living this way for so long, you know that’s what… that’s one thing that kept me doing what I was doing, and I just think certain things happened at the right time and… you know, in the weeks that preceded me getting arrested the last time, um, I would be standing on the corner, and just think to myself, “This really sucks, like I… this sucks, it just… I don’t wanna do this.” Um, but I also didn’t have the strength to go about doing something about it myself. So I think when I was kinda forced into the situation to do it, that gave me, like, the strength to just be like “alright, I’m gonna do this now, because I don’t wanna live like this anymore, I just don’t.” And I wasn’t enjoying it, you know, I wasn’t having fun walking the streets, but I kept thinking to myself, “What else am I gonna do? You know, this is all I know how to do.” You know, and I actually with my criminal record, I can’t even get a job at Wawa. And that’s what had, discourages a lot of people that I still know that have been clean for a little while, they’re trying to get their shit together, but nobody will give them a chance to, to do the right thing, because of their past, so… I understand that I just can’t use that as an excuse anymore.
Congratulations Krista, and best of luck! And hey, you’re not too old to become a vet some day. It’s so wonderful to see a post like this here.
Congratulations Krista!!! Keep up the great work!!
keep up the great work Krista. conituesto set goals and surround yourself with people who care . soon enough this will all be a distant memory.
My congrats to you Krista. I don’t know you, but you sound like a good person. It’s good to hear a happy story. I don’t think 33 is too old to be a vet, but becoming a vet tech is excellent and could be a step towards becoming a vet if you decide to do that. It’s funny how you think of 33 as “too old” for anything. It’s all relative. The cats need you! And the world needs you too. Good luck to you Krista!
Inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
God Bless you, Krista. Thank you for taking care of yourself. I’m really happy to see you’re doing good these days.
This is a great inspiring story. Best of luck to you and your future!!! Just think “you got this!! “
Hey. Krista here. Thanx for all the great comments and support. Reading those comments brought tears to my eyes. Thanx to Jeff for interviewing me again. It’s so weird to see my old self knowing who I am now, but I’m grateful for the opportunity and hopefully someone else will read this and know that they don’t have to keep living that way. Never forget. But move on.
Way to go! Not an easy thing to do. I’m 33 as well, definitely not too old to become a vet, if that is what you want. Don’t limit yourself sweetie!!! If you can kick drugs on your own, you can do anything 🙂 Praying for you, Krista ♥
You look beautiful and you should be proud of yourself! Congratulations Krista. It’s nice to see a silver lining on so many gray clouds!
Glad to see a positive update here, and one that’s current!
Dear Krista, you have no idea how much your story has inspired me. I have known a lot of people who have been addicted to pills/heroin and sometimes it seems impossible that they will ever kick it. It seems so physically and emotionally hard that they just end up staying on it forever. Your story gives me hope that rhere is a way out for them too. You should be incredibly proud that you did such a difficult thing successfully. The inner strength you so clearly have will carry you far in life. Always be vigilant and keep setting small goals for yourself and I know you will make it. Also, you look absolutely beautiful. There is a calm in your face that radiates outward. Blessings to you and good luck
Great story and happy for you! Pursue your goals and dreams! When you get to your 40’s, you will realize that being in your 30’s is still quite young!
KRISTA!,
Congrats on being clean and healthy. Keep fighting the good fight!
As time goes by, the easier it will be for jobs and everyone to never even have a hint that you are anything other than a semi professional person that works with animals. So that’s who you actually are anyway. Nothing can change that. So take it easy and try not to worry about the small stuff.
Thank you for sharing.
It was a brave thing to do.
To share.
To choose to get clean.
These are brave things, that not everyone chooses.
You are brave.
You have what it takes.
I have been following all the stories on here for many years now, Im so very happy you got out, I know what a hard battle that is to do, and it just makes me so happy that your story turned out good. My sister died on the streets of Camden from a heroin overdose, she would get clean then go back, over and over again till she lost the battle. Like I said, I’m extremely happy that you got out and got your life back. Best of luck to you!
Krista, you look awesome! Good luck and God Bless!
Met krista went she bartended at Owens. Congratulations never knew this side of you
Holy fkn shit dude. Krista, it’s Karla from Boudinot st..you look great. You probably won’t see this..but we made it girl!!