Jennifer Storm describes herself from age 12 to 22 as “blackout girl.” Today, she is a “grateful” recovering alcoholic and drug addict.
Now the Executive Director of the Victim-Witness Assistance Program in Harrisburg, Storm brought her story of how she came through her personal 10-year darkness to create a life of accomplishment and joy to Penn State Harrisburg’s Gallery Lounge April 28.
A native of the Allentown area, Storm describes her family life “normal,” with one exception – both of her parents were victims of abusive, alcohol homes in their youth. Because of their upbringing, her parents lacked necessary parenting skills which contributed to her downslide into drugs and alcohol, she says.
She began smoking cigarettes at age 11 because she wanted to fit in with older kids and at age 12, she consumed her first beers, blacked out for the first time, and awoke to find herself being raped by a 28-year-old male. “I thought it was my fault,” she recalls. “And my parents didn’t talk to me about it.”
Describing herself as “empty” after the incident, she began to abuse alcohol. By seventh grade, she was drinking heavily and using marijuana and then added cocaine to her addictions in high school.
She attempted suicide in her early 20s by cutting her wrists. But nearly dying became a personal turning point. She admitted her alcoholism and drug addiction and sought to understand the triggers which spurred her behavior.
She relocated to State College, underwent two years of therapy, and enrolled in Penn State, eventually earning a degree in rehabilitative education, and beginning a career of helping others. “God has me exactly where I’m supposed to be,” she says of her current responsibilities.
Now more than 11 years sober, Storm says “recovery is a daily practice. I still have a sponsor and still go to meetings. And if I am tempted to take that one fatal drink again, all I have to do is look at the scars on my wrist.”
