At 55, My Mom Embraces a New Journey in College: A Story of Resilience, Self-Discovery, and Triumph Over Adversity

• My mom tackled her eating disorder and then went to college in her 50s.
• Now, she helps others as a counselor for substance abuse.
• We went through treatment together, and I also had a tough time in college.

My mother started her college journey at 55, right after finishing treatment for her eating disorder.

As a single mom dealing with mental health challenges, she never had the chance to go to college. But once I became independent and she got the help she needed, she decided to chase her dreams.

I also faced struggles with my mental health that made focusing on college hard.

Together, we broke through our biggest challenges and made our dreams a reality.

My Struggles with Addiction

Even without children, I relate to a non-traditional college path. I’m recovering from substance use disorder, which made my education journey very difficult. For many years, alcohol and drugs created a tough road for me.

Anyone in recovery knows that substance use often comes with hidden mental health issues. It’s common to think self-medicating is simpler than asking for help.

This mindset made even small tasks like completing homework feel impossible. I took college courses on and off, often losing focus due to late nights of partying.

Eventually, I dropped out multiple times but graduated with a degree in business administration at 28.

Mom’s Journey to Counseling

My mom always dreamed of being a counselor because she enjoys helping others. But as a single parent with limited resources, education took a back seat. She returned to work when I was just six weeks old, all while managing childcare and her untreated mental health issues.

Living paycheck to paycheck rarely allows for time to explore college options or fill out financial aid forms, especially while dealing with mental health struggles that zap motivation.

However, after she prioritized her health and addressed her eating disorder, she met a counselor who had gone back to school later in life. This inspired my mom to follow in those footsteps.

Now, she’s fulfilling her dream as a substance abuse counselor, while I’m working as a published author and entrepreneur in the sobriety community.

Our Shared Recovery Journey

My mom and I began our recovery journeys at the same time. It taught us how eating disorders and substance use often stem from a desire to escape reality through self-medication. For Mom, food was the escape; for me, it was alcohol and drugs.

Mom is a strong, independent woman who inspires me to be the same.

We bring our understanding of recovery into our work, knowing that addiction takes many forms, whether it’s food, gambling, or substance use. Life can be incredibly tough, and many people don’t have the tools or resources to cope.

Advice for Pursuing Dreams

I asked my mom for advice for anyone thinking about returning to school.

“Make an appointment with an advisor to explore your options. If they aren’t helpful, find someone else,” she advised.

Pursuing education is a lot like recovery; it’s about self-advocacy and seeking support.

“Going to talk with an advisor was hard, but it was worth it. I found someone who listened and guided me. She was crucial to my journey,” Mom said.

Through our experiences, we learned that with the right support, we can achieve anything.