LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. — The Lenawee County District Court has been working to help people with substance abuse for more than a decade.
Brenda Houck says her life has changed since starting the sobriety court program, which helps people struggling with addiction and alcohol-related issues, in Lenawee County in July 2019. She completed the program in February 2021.
"It's a great program and if you get a chance to do it, do it. There's a lot of help here, a lot of resources and sobriety court is excellent, I would do it. It's, it'll change your life," Houck said.
Houck hit a breaking point with substance abuse in June 2019. Now though, she has been sober for almost five years and three months.
"Enough was enough. You know, I wanted the help, I did ask for sobriety court because I just, I couldn't do it anymore. Life was getting really hard ... I lost, just about lost everything," she said.
Lenawee County Judge Laura Schaedler says people typically come to the sobriety court program at their lowest points.
"It gives me joy, and to imagine that you're a part of that, even if all you're doing is encouraging them, because they really do the heavy lifting, but that is a joy to me," Schaedler said.
The program's team consists of law enforcement, case managers, counselors and sobriety coaches working together to help people get back on their feet.
"I have to say that this is probably one of the two most rewarding things that I've done during my career, because with a little bit of encouragement from the court, folks turn their lives around," Schaedler said.
Houck added that sobriety court is a program she will never forget.
"It has changed my life. I'm still sober. It's made me a different person," she said.