Markita Renee: Building a Substance-Free Life
Episode Overview
Markita overcame homelessness and opioid addiction through self-reflection. She discovered SMART Recovery during college research. Her BIPOC meeting addresses underrepresentation in recovery spaces. Success stories include participants becoming facilitators. Plans to expand meetings reflect growing demand.
"I chose that second option – to rise above."
In this episode of the SMART Recovery® Podcast, Markita Renee shares her inspiring journey from battling addiction and homelessness to becoming a beacon of hope for others in recovery. Her story is one of resilience, showing how life can be filled with purpose and positivity, leaving no room for substances. Markita talks candidly about the challenges she faced, including emotional trauma and a long struggle with opioid addiction, which started after being prescribed medication post-childbirth.
Her turning point came when she realised that her dependency was controlling her life, prompting her to seek change. Through self-reflection and determination, Markita found SMART Recovery during her college research, drawn by its focus on self-empowerment. Noticing a lack of representation in recovery spaces, she became a facilitator for SMART's national BIPOC meeting, creating a safe space for voices often overlooked.
Markita's passion for community and advocacy shines through as she discusses the importance of representation and support in recovery. Her commitment has led to success stories, including individuals who have found sobriety and become facilitators themselves. With plans to expand the BIPOC meeting and her personal goals to bring systemic change, Markita's journey is a testament to the power of persistence and community.
Tune in to hear how one person's determination can ripple out, inspiring others to find their path to recovery.