Iona Johnson knows that the path to recovery isn’t always a straight line. Her story is one of triumph over her substance use disorder (SUD) that held her captive for more than 30 years and has inspired many around her to seek their own journey over addiction.
Iona has been part of the Gaudenzia team for four years and currently serves as a State Care Coordinator in our Baltimore City Park Heights location. Iona is responsible for transitioning individuals to appropriate levels of care, hosting orientation meetings, facilitating group sessions, and maintaining consistent communication while fostering support with clients in their recovery journey.
Prior to joining Gaudenzia, Iona held positions in the healthcare industry including serving as a private duty nurse, medical technician, and recovery program care coordinator, as well as a hairstylist.
Iona holds a certification as a medical technician and is licensed in cosmetology. She has earned Dean List recognition by Baltimore City Community College and currently serves as a motivational speaker in addition to her current position at Gaudenzia.
There is a special place in Iona’s heart for Gaudenzia as she personally experienced our programs as a client prior to her recovery and became part of a team whose mission is to help those suffering with SUD achieve long-term recovery.
We sat down with Iona to learn more about her personal journey toward recovery.
What were you like growing up?
I was very intuitive, energetic, and athletic, enjoying playing sports such as tennis, basketball, and track. I also joined many extra-curricular activities with classmates and friends–including one friend who has always been there for me for almost 43 years!
My parents, who loved me and raised me with good morals, worked hard. My dad served as a minister and my mother was a nurse. However, when I was four years old, I was the victim of molestation by a now deceased distant family relative which caused trauma that I carried for years to come.
At what age did you start using drugs and how did it change you as a person?
At the age of 21, I found myself gravitating towards drugs to suppress my nightmares and all that had happened to me in the past. I was suffering on the inside and so I began using heroin, Xanax, and fentanyl. I not only used the drugs but became a dealer to support my addiction. I had many alter egos, became fearless and no longer felt like that vulnerable little girl.
When did you realize you needed help?
I knew I needed help when the drugs I was using no longer helped me to feel numb. I often cried while using them and contemplated my self-worth. I felt as though I had amounted to nothing because of my addiction. I thought about how I wasted my life destroying my body because someone else had hurt me.
Can you describe what the process toward sobriety was like for you?
In the beginning, I explored sobriety because I was given ultimatums. My marriage was falling apart and there were conversations around who should raise my children. I had been a client of Gaudenzia’s Park Heights location a total of 21 times, but each time was always for everyone else.
But the 22nd time was different.
My 22nd attempt was for me. I hated the way I felt about myself and all the people I had hurt along the way and was ready for treatment.
What was it about the 22nd time that really stuck?
At the time, my father had fallen ill and was hospitalized. My mother had been deceased for 20 years and my father was my rock. He was always there for me and never gave up on me. I visited with my dad every day and we talked about a lot of things past, present, and future. My dad was always in good health and to see him suffering was destroying me. The day before his passing we talked a lot about life and all that I had been through.
He was ready to let go, but reached out to me and said he could not leave me in the state I was in. It was during this conversation that I promised my dad–and myself–to get clean. I wanted my dad to be able to rest in peace and know I was going to be okay.
It wasn’t easy as there were temptations around me, as my son was also an addict and would leave drugs lying around. I remained strong and went to the outpatient program every day. In essence, I surrendered from the deepest part of myself. I knew deep down I was ready and that doing it for myself was the only way it was going to work. There simply were no more excuses. So, I let my guard down and allowed some people to help me. With the help, treatment, and guidance from the Gaudenzia program, and the support of my family and friends, I reached milestone after milestone in my recovery journey.
What is your life like today?
I have been drug-free for over 5 years now. I have grown into a much healthier, balanced, and happy woman. I made a vow that I would spend the next portion of my life helping others find their way out of the darkness and back into the light. I recently celebrated my sobriety at Gaudenzia’s Chesapeake Graduation Ceremony in June, walking with many other graduates that I helped to recover through my role at Park Heights in Baltimore, MD. I served as one of the speakers at the ceremony, sharing my story and my goal to continue to inspire others and provide hope to those still working on their recovery.
I have continued to work at the Park Heights location and I am truly blessed to be here because this is where I got my fresh start. Gaudenzia was very instrumental in helping me save my life and the life of my son, who is now also clean and sober.
I now work with individuals who are at high risk for relapse as well as with their case managers, coordinators, clinical staff, and counselors, to help improve their recovery outcomes. I still see the same people I knew when I was struggling with addiction, and I don’t judge them–rather I give them encouragement that recovery is possible. I love my job, my clients and most of all, taking part in changing lives. The most rewarding part of my career is having my clients return to share the impact I made on their lives and the lives of their family and friends.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Mostly, I spend time with my family and friends, strengthening our relationships and creating unforgettable memories. I speak regularly at the Yo! Baltimore program, offering motivation and confidence to the at-risk youth. I hope to own my own 24-hour Community Help Center one day.
What are some positive things you have in your life today that you would not have had if you kept using substances?
I would not have the trust and love of my family and friends, a promising career, a loving fiancée, and a bright future ahead.
Recently, I decided to head back to school, and I am currently working toward my degree as an Addiction Counselor. I have made the dean’s list every semester and I am set to graduate in the spring of next year.
What is your message to those who are struggling with substance use disorder right now?
Recovery is possible! The first step to taking your life back is admitting you have a problem, then seeking help. Connect with resources and rely on the support from others, they are there to help you overcome your problems with addiction.