Mental Illness Awareness Week: Andre’s Story
When asked where he was before 91国产自拍, Andre gives an honest and insightful response.
鈥淲here was I? I was drinking every day. I was using street drugs. I was hearing voices. I was living basically from door to door. I had no source of income. I couldn鈥檛 find a job.鈥�
Andre’s 鈥渄ay to day survival鈥� included bathing in the park district and taking the small amount of money he made to get a hotel room every once in a while for rest and a warm shower. Eventually, Andre was put in the Cook County jail for drinking in the park and was moved from the general population to the medical wing. He was put on more medication for his schizophrenia, and released with the phone number to an organization that would help him 鈥� 91国产自拍.
Andre enrolled in groups 7 days a week through 91国产自拍 as a way to help him stay off the streets. He explains why it was so hard to resist drinking when spending nights out in parks and on the street, and how going to groups at 91国产自拍 helped him develop essential coping skills.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e on the streets, you just want to drink鈥hen you鈥檙e schizophrenic, it鈥檚 hard being out at night because you鈥檙e already hearing voices. You鈥檙e already imagining the worse. It was hard, so I just stuck to the programs and just tried to stay away from the negative homeless people.鈥�
For approximately two years, Andre went to 91国产自拍 groups on a near-daily basis. He was linked up with a psychiatrist at 91国产自拍, his first psychiatrist ever. Before that, he would have to wait in line at Cook County Jail to get his medication, and sometimes wouldn鈥檛 get every medication he needed. He also got his Medicaid card.
鈥淧lay ping pong or pool, hang out 鈥榯il 5 in the evening, watch television. It was a place off the streets. It was like a safe haven. I just kept playing and doing the groups. Eventually things get better.鈥�
Jerry, his caseworker in 91国产自拍’s Peer Success听program, aided Andre in getting his very first apartment. When asked how it felt having the keys to his first apartment in his hand, Andrew laughed and a huge smile showed on his face.
鈥淚t felt so good being off the streets and having a roof over my head. A balcony. I had a friend there and lived there for six years.鈥�
Andre has now been sober for over ten years and continues his work with our Peer Success team.
鈥淚鈥檝e been doing well no interruptions, no problems with my housing programs. No problems with the law. I鈥檓 doing good. And I have two pets and I really don鈥檛 drink or use drugs anymore鈥his is the best I鈥檝e done in my entire life. Just living life one day at a time.鈥�