About Me
Aloha! My name is Amanda and I created my blog and shop "And Amanda Said" based in Simi Valley, California, offering a mix of personal reflections, insightful commentary, and inspirational quotes. My goal is to challenge perspectives and ignite conversations that matter. I want all addicts to know they are not alone.
I myself have struggled and still is and forever will be a struggle, with alcohol. It has taken a lot from me over the past 20 years. I was 35 when I went to a Women and Children's rehabilitation center for 11 months. I had hit rock bottom as most addicts eventually do. The fun and games were over and I started to drink to forget. After nine months in rehab and two months in a sober living, and doing it 100% sober, I learned a great deal about myself. I am here to share my story and hopefully give people motivation and strength. Even if I can help one person, all of this has been worth it!
The journey to sobriety was and still is an arduous climb, each step forward often met with the relentless pull of addiction. Entering the rehabilitation center for nine months, especially with my past trauma presented its own unique set of challenges, navigating personal healing alongside the profound responsibility for the children's well-being in that environment. Yet, within those walls, I found unexpected solace and purpose as The Parent Center IT, a role that allowed me the simple joy of witnessing children of all ages learn and play, a constant reminder of the future I was fighting for.
Furthermore, the quiet act of tending to the center's garden became a therapeutic outlet, the nurturing of new life mirroring my own slow but steady growth towards recovery, each budding plant a testament to the possibility of healing and a brighter tomorrow for myself and the children in California.
Growing up as a tomboy in Simi Valley presented a unique set of challenges, particularly when it came to connecting with other girls. While the boys I palled around with were accepting of my bug-eating adventures and the inevitable collection of bruises and cuts, the girls often kept their distance, perhaps finding my rough-and-tumble ways unfamiliar. It wasn't until recently that my dad recounted stories of finding me with a bleeding scrape, my stoicism born from the unspoken code of my male companions: "Real boys and real tomboys don't cry!" At ten years old, that mantra held an odd sort of power, unknowingly shaping a high tolerance for pain, both physical and emotional. But today, standing here in Simi Valley, I consciously choose a different kind of strength – one that embraces vulnerability.
The ingrained resistance to tears is still there, a deeply etched habit, but when the need arises, I now allow myself that release, whether in quiet solitude or openly, understanding that true strength lies not in suppressing emotion, but in acknowledging and processing it.
For that reason, I also created my store Phlox Theory. I hold it dear to my heart because I feel, as an addict, we should wear our recovery proudly. My background in graphic design and engraving bring me back to a happy place. I figured why not start a company dedicated to being sober. Wear that badge of honor PROUDLY! Supportive family, friends and those who are Al-Anon allies can wear their sober loved ones success. Go check it out, I do custom everything as well! www.PhloxTheory.com
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Another passion of mine is serving others, particularly by advocating for the elimination of stigma and discrimination against individuals struggling with addiction. This commitment drives my dedication to supporting an incredible organization.
Explore their website to learn more about upcoming events, such as the run or walk hosted by The National Institute on Drug Abuse. Participation is free, and you'll even receive a complimentary t-shirt. But beyond that, you'll be taking a powerful stand—one that supports yourself, your loved ones, and the fight to end addiction stigma and discrimination once and for all.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Supporting scientific research on drug use and addiction
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a U.S. government agency that supports scientific research on drug use and addiction. Its mission is to advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health. 1 Essentially, they fund and conduct research to understand, prevent, and treat substance use disorders.
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