I wasn’t sure how to start the post as it’s my first time contributing to a blog. I guess first I should introduce myself, my name is Tiffany Skuraton and I’m from Short Hills NJ, which is North Jersey, the good part lol. As you may already know, I’m the owner of Sober Living By Tiffany and Blue Waters Recovery. I am also a recovering drug addict, my story is about how I went from Park Avenue to a Park Bench in NYC, and what happened after. Growing up, I never wanted for anything, and I don’t say that to brag, I say it because this is an equal opportunity disease; it doesn’t discriminate. You see I had the “normal” happy childhood but always felt like there was something missing, like I was incomplete. As a result, I suffered from low self-esteem as many people do, especially when we are growing up.
At some point this lead me down a path of first acting out, then using drugs. My life really spiraled out of control and I ended up a heroin addict. Jails, rehabs, being homeless, I had to go through a lot of pain to finally be ready to stop. When I was ready, I finally knew that my best thinking had me homeless with nothing and no one, so I had to listen to the suggestions of those who came before me. June 14, 2012, I walked into a halfway house with only a garbage bag of clothes. Looking back, losing everything for me was necessary. I was broken, I had nothing left, and finally I surrendered, my way didn’t work.
Immediately, I went to an AA meeting and asked someone to sponsor me, she told me I had to hit my knees and pray to God every morning and every night. Something more than human power was needed, so I had to rely on a power greater than myself. I worked my steps, and helped others, finally finding my passion in life, helping others achieve sobriety. I had a dream in my heart of wanting to open-up a sober living home, one house with 6-7 girls, I could really help. People told me I was crazy because I was just a waitress with no college degree, I was a 5-time felon, I had no business experience, no money, didn’t know anyone to help. The thing about God is he doesn’t pick people who are qualified, with the skill set, education, money, know who or know how, he picks people who are available for Him to use.
Today, 6 1/2 years later, I am an owner of a 177 bed halfway houses with 8 location, which is one of the best sober livings there is. God can supersize our dreams if we just get in line with His plan. Thy Will Be Done.