Theresa Mehring never imagined her life would take the turns it did. As a young mother battling chronic pain, she sought relief in prescription medication. But what began as a way to manage her fibromyalgia soon led to dependency, unraveling every part of her life she held dear.
“I was just trying to get through the day,” recalls Theresa. “But before I knew it, the meth and pain medication controlled me more than the pain ever had.”
Theresa’s descent into addiction cost her nearly everything—her job, her relationship, and, most heartbreakingly, custody of her daughter.
“The day I lost my daughter was the day I truly hit rock bottom,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “I didn’t know who I was anymore, and I didn’t see a way out.”
But even in her darkest moments, a small flicker of hope remained. That hope began to grow when Theresa entered Bismarck’s drug court program. It wasn’t an easy transition.
“I fought it at first,” she admits. “I was broken, angry, ashamed, and didn’t want to confront the mess my life had become or admit I had a problem.”
The structure and accountability of the program slowly helped Theresa rebuild her confidence and sense of purpose. She learned to trust others and, more importantly, herself.
“The program taught me to face my pain instead of numbing it,” she says. “It wasn’t just about sobriety—it was about learning to live again.”
Today, Theresa works as a peer support specialist at Face It TOGETHER, in Bismarck, drawing on her own journey to guide others toward recovery. She describes her work as both challenging and deeply rewarding.
“It’s not about fixing people,” she explains. “It’s about walking beside them and showing them they’re not alone.”
Theresa often reflects on her own recovery when she meets new clients.
“I see myself in them,” she says. “I remember what it feels like to be scared and unsure. That’s why I do this work—to be the person I needed when I was in their shoes.”
One of Theresa’s most memorable moments as a peer support specialist was helping a mother reunite with her children.
“She didn’t believe she deserved another chance,” recalls Theresa. “But I saw her strength and determination. Watching her get her kids back reminded me of why this work matters—it’s about restoring families and lives.”
For Theresa, recovery is an ongoing process, one she embraces every day.
“There’s no finish line,” she says. “But there’s so much joy in the journey—especially when I get to share it with others.”
Theresa’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and connection.
“If my story can help even one person believe in themselves, then everything I’ve been through has meaning,” she says. “Because recovery isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving.”
If you are interested in becoming a certified peer support specialist or want to learn about certification opportunities, please visit the North Dakota HHS Peer Support Certification webpage. This page provides details about the certification process and available programs. Starting your journey could help someone else begin theirs.