Nicole Sobus-Jensen

My substance use began when I was 10 years old with smoking cigarettes and quickly led to cannabis, over the counter medication, and alcohol abuse. At 15, I was using methamphetamines, crack cocaine and drinking heavily. As my addiction progressed, I experienced homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation, an eating disorder, autoimmune diseases, self harm and suicide attempts, miscarriage, and several mental health diagnoses. I went to detox, treatment, and 12-step meetings, but still had difficulty staying clean. At age 21, I became pregnant again and went to a residential treatment program. During my stay there I learned how growing up with intergenerational addiction, mental illness, and domestic violence impacted me and for the first time realized I could choose a different life for myself. After I had my son, I tried employment, but was unsuccessful, so I went to school. However, during my studies I had many challenges and found out I have a severe processing disorder. Once I became employed, I still struggled and after many years was diagnosed as ADHD and sensory processing sensitivity. During this time, my recovery from substance abuse was inconsistent and I had many problems with relationships.

In 2020, I found the neurodivergent community online and began to understand that my processing needs and addiction were tied together as I developed a pattern of using something or someone to regulate myself. I learned about invisible disability and some reasons I had difficulty functioning in life consistently were due to genetic and acquired neurodivergence and a world which is not designed to accommodate my needs.

After 18 years in recovery, I began the MSW Clinical Program at the University of Calgary. Here, I hope to break down the stigma I experience by normalizing mental health and addiction and connect with others who want to make systemic changes. I choose to recover out loud because my recovery journey depends on me cultivating meaningful connections with others as my authentic self. I hope that by sharing my story, I can demonstrate how the recovery process is ongoing and we have unique needs and strengths that require celebration in post-secondary environments.