JACQUE NAPOLEON

My name is Jacqueline Napoleon, and I came to the Jesus House fifteen months ago. Fifteen months is a long time in a recovery program, but as a new grandma, coming here has been well worth it!Hearing the truth from the people who love you most isn’t always easy, but you have to be truthful with them when you love someone. My daughter was honest with me at the moment in my life when I needed it most. It was extremely hard for her, I know, but her words became the catalyst to me finding true recovery here at Jesus House.When my daughter Brittany said, “Mom, you have a drinking problem,” The Spirit of God was at work in that moment. I saw something in her eyes and heard something in her voice that caught my attention. She was very emotional about me finding recovery. She desperately wanted me to be around for her and my granddaughter, but my addiction was slowly killing me.

When I agreed with her to do something about my addiction, Brittany found the Jesus House online. When she told me about it, my defense mechanism kicked in. I still wasn’t entirely convinced I had an addiction problem. It’s strange how we cannot see our most pressing needs in life from the inside.

Today, I am so thankful, Brittany found the Jesus House! It’s been the best experience ever! I’ve been here long enough to get to know both the old director and the new director. My time in the Life Transformation Program has been longer than most. Early on, I attempted to bring alcohol into Jesus House. Big mistake! After that, I didn’t deserve the stay, but the staff worked with me instead of just kicking me out. The fact that they didn’t kick me out showed me they care here at Jesus House. It also showed me that they were serious about my recovery. At times, when I wanted to quit and give up, their being serious about my recovery made all the difference in the world. What a blessing!

I love it here! The Life Transformation Program is excellent! And it isn’t just for younger people. I want people over the age of fifty who struggle with an addiction to know that Jesus House can be a place of hope for them, too! People my age can come here to Jesus House and find hope and healing! Love really does live here!I am excited about the future! I have an upcoming medical procedure I am waiting to schedule. And after that, I will be leaving Jesus House to start my new life. To be honest, I am a little nervous, but I know that God will be with me every step of the way going forward.

Recovery can’t happen without Him. So, I will engage my recovery going forward by using what they’ve taught me and applying it daily.

The greatest challenge for every addict comes with just taking that first step with action. An addict must be serious about recovery. Jesus House will not work for someone undecided. Going to meetings, having a sponsor, not feeling like I have to do this by myself, and obviously having God with me by my side every step of the way, those are all keys to my being successful in my recovery.Today, my relationship with my Savior is the most important relationship I possess. Getting honest with Him, and letting Him get real with me, has been a significant first step in my recovery. His name is Jesus, and I met Him in a new and profound way at the House with His name over the door.

I’m excited for the future — the future where I am not ‘drunk grandma.’ I always knew I was going to have to address my drinking, but I never seemed ready. When my daughter became emotional about my alcohol addiction, I knew it was time for me to deal with it. How much more time was I going to give this addiction? Wasn’t I tired of not having a better life? I immediately felt Jesus House was the place for me. My caseworker Stephanie is incredibly positive and spiritual in a way that is not suffocating or pressuring.

It has been a long time since I’ve completed anything, and finishing this program feels fantastic!

- Jacque Napoleon, 2021 Jesus House Recovery Grad

Like Jacque, some of our clients are grandparents, older than what many picture a recovering addict looks like. Addiction affects people of all ages, and no one is ever too old or too young to get help. Through God, all things are possible.