the police report at the time<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhen Douglas came to pick Riley up at 7 a.m. on a frigid January morning, she immediately could tell there was something different. Riley had thought about her children, and how she needed to change for them.<\/p>\n
She had even thought about how she viewed herself and how she needed to change that. Riley said she had long joked that she was the black sheep of her family. After a while, part of her really started to believe it was true.<\/p>\n
“I realized, ‘No, I’m a good person. I can change,’” Riley said.<\/p>\n
Douglas said some people talk about wanting to conquer their addictions but don’t ever fully commit to making lifestyle changes. Riley did. She never missed a class of court-ordered therapy sessions. She took Alcoholics Anonymous seriously. She did everything that Swanson asked of her in Therapeutic Court. She committed to the Haven House program, getting more in touch with her faith. Riley even saw a counselor in her free time, Douglas said.<\/p>\n
During her time in Therapeutic Court, her resolve was tested. Her father died. Her son was having health problems. Instead of turning to alcohol in these situations like she did earlier in life, Riley used them as motivation to stay strong and sober. Riley said she knew she had to take control of her own actions and her life, but she made sure to give credit to those who supported her in her adopted community of Juneau.<\/p>\n
“The big tip is be open and be surrounded by positive, encouraging people,” Riley said. “That’s my No. 1 thing. That’s what really taught me what I needed.”<\/p>\n
Riley headed back to Napasiak the day after she graduated to be with her family. She’s putting together a celebration of life for her father and her daughter. After that, she said she’s heading down to Anchorage where she can be near counseling and an AA program.<\/p>\n
People at Riley’s Therapeutic Court graduation spoke adoringly of her. Swanson stood up and applauded her. Douglas has been at Haven House for three years and has seen many people come through and make major life changes, but she said during the graduation that she’s never seen one like Riley’s.<\/p>\n
Douglas said she’s confident that Riley’s change is a permanent one.<\/p>\n
“It’s in her heart,” Douglas said. “She’s never going back. Ever.”<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Contact reporter Alex McCarthy at 523-2271 or amccarthy@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @akmccarthy.<\/b><\/p>\n
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