Can you tell us about yourself?
Sure. Call me Gina. I grew up in Hoboken. I’m an introvert and I’ve been off drugs for 22 years, coming to Alliance for the last couple of years.
What are your hobbies?
I love music and it has been a huge part of my life. The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and others. I listen to music on YouTube while I’m cooking at home. And I like to watch a lot of old TV shows.
So you said you’ve been sober for 22 years. Congratulations. What was that process like?
I was homeless and working part-time as a waitress. I was living in a shelter in the Bronx and said to myself “it’s time for me to get clean.” I checked myself into Bellevue, with the help of a friend. They get me on Methadone and then I found the clinic across the street from Alliance LES Harm Reduction Center. It has worked for me, and I’ve decreased my dosage over time, but I want to one day get off Methadone entirely.
How did your drug use start?
I went to disco clubs in the 80’s where there was a lot of drug use. The owner of one turned me on to cocaine. Soon after, we started taking heroin. I got addicted immediately, taking heroin every day for full weeks at a time.
Was heroin a bigger problem than your cocaine use?
Yeah, and my drinking. That was easier to quit. I’ve been sober for 35 years. I never woke up sick from it, that was much easier than the drugs.
And what was your housing situation at the time?
I was waitressing so I always had money. I would sleep in hotels and at friends’ houses. I stayed close with my mother and she’d let me stay with her, too, but it was all really unstable.
What’s your housing situation now?
I live in a basement apartment in Stapleton, Staten Island. I’ve been there for 7 years.
I’m a homebody, I like to stay home most of the time when I’m not at the Methadone clinic or Alliance. I keep to myself. I have like two close friends. I like to read a lot of non-fiction books. I love old TV shows like The Andy Griffith show and The Honeymooners—that's why I asked you to pick Ed’s picture to represent me.
What do you like to do at Alliance?
I’m not using so I don’t come for supplies. I come to Alliance for the support groups. I love the stress, and anger groups. We talk about how Methadone affects emotions and interacts with my medications. A lot of the participants are on Methadone. Some are on Suboxone. The staff are great, and I’m close with a few of the participants: Patty, Shirley, Candy, and others.
We serve a lot of people in recovery, but plenty of active substance users too. Is that triggering for you?
Yes, a little. I don’t associate with any of the people I used to do drugs with, and at Alliance, I stay away from the people who at actively using, but those people respect those of us who are trying to stay sober too.
Do you have any advice for people looking to stop using?
Sure. I don’t offer it unless they ask me, but every day is a new day and opportunity. I truly believe that.
Is there anything else you want to tell us about yourself, like your cooking, or your family?
I have two sons, one in his forties and one in his twenties. My older son was on Methadone, too, but fortunately he was able to stop that and still stay off heroin, thank God.
And the cooking. I’m Italian so I learned to cook from my mom. Veal cutlet is one of my go-to dishes. I make great gravy.