‘If I can, anyone can’: Toowoomba local’s inspiring road to recovery

Powerful and inspiring, one woman has revealed how she conquered her 22-year-long drug addiction. You’ll never guess how.

Jodie Luchterhand is many things – a daughter, the youngest sibling of 13, a loving mum of two, an A-grade softball player and someone who has conquered a severe drug addiction.

She is living proof that anyone, no matter how deep in the murk of drug addiction someone can be, they can turn their life around.

Ms Luchterhand’s relationship with drugs began at the age of 21, when she started using speed recreationally.

After facing a series of traumatic incidents, Ms Luchterhand found herself turning to drugs more often than usual, but it wasn’t until issues arose with a personal relationship her life changed dramatically.

“I was using every day and living payday to payday, because I was just spending my money on drugs,” Ms Luchterhand said.

Feeling low, isolated and unsure where to turn to get help, the only release Ms Luchterhand had from drugs was softball – a game she has loved and played since she was four years old.

Battling an addiction for more than two decades, it was the year of 2017 that Ms Luchterhand knew something had to change.

She began attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings and rehabilitation sessions, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

When sessions became too emotional, the Toowoomba resident would follow the only pattern she knew – shutting down and turning back to drugs.

Waking up on the day of her mum’s birthday on December 11, Ms Luchterhand told her mum she was going to get herself clean.

And she hasn’t looked back since.

Detoxing at Fairhaven on the Gold Coast, Ms Luchterhand enrolled in the Sunrise Way program days later on December 18, completing the program the following year on June 18.

Through the program and counselling, she learned she suffered from anxiety and was challenged to change her way of thinking.

“Because it’s how I had to live my life for so many years, I was constantly on the defence and would attack before being attacked … I was a really angry person but I channelled that anger into determination to conquer my addiction,” Ms Luchterhand said.

“If I was ever triggered by something or struggling, I would grab my mit and ball and just throw as many pitches against a brick wall as I needed to until that feeling passed … eventually that time became shorter and shorter.

“I worked really hard, would take notes in group sessions, do my homework and every afternoon when I got back to my room, I would write in my journals – I still have those journals just in case I ever need to reflect or remember something.”

Jodie Luchterhand, who now works at Sunrise Way, credits her recovery from addiction to the help she received from the rehab and recovery centre, Wednesday, August 4, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Now aged 46 and in four years of recovery, Ms Luchterhand is learning to love herself again.

Still playing in the top team for the Dodgers Softball Club, Ms Luchterhand also coaches younger teams.

After volunteering with Sunrise Way since 2018, she is now employed with the organisation as a nightshift support worker.

“It’s humbling to be here and see other people’s journeys and progression, and I know what they’ve been through because I’ve lived it too,” Ms Luchterhand said.

“When they first come in their head is down, they can’t look you in the eye, but when they leave, their heads are high, they’re smiling and their faces are brighter, and it feels like a cycle because I’m sure staff noticed that with me too.”

Sunrise Way offers a 20-bed residential rehabilitation facility to support individuals impacted by addiction, as well as programs for up to six months, individual counselling, group sessions and holistic activities.

Chief executive officer Louise Sanderson said the organisation had seen a rise in demand with families and individuals reaching out almost daily during Covid-19.

“Unfortunately there’s so many within the community who suffer either a drug or alcohol addiction, and some of those individuals need to come and seek that longer-term rehabilitation,” Ms Sanderson said.

“In the lead-up to Christmas last year, there was an increase in demand which is unusual from previous years, so I definitely think Covid-19 has changed the presentations of demand.”

From July 2019 to June 2020, Sunrise Way had 85 clients stay in the rehabilitation centre, with a growing waiting list behind them.

Ms Sanderson said the average age of clients was around the 40 year old mark, with a fairly even 50 per cent split of alcohol and drug addictions.

The most common drug of choice is methamphetamine and the centre has a three to five week average wait time for treatment.If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence, please phone DV Connect on 1800 811 811.

Addiction support:

• Teen Challenge – [phone]

• Drug ARM – [phone] or 1300 656 800

• Lifeline – 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

• National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline – 1800 250 015

• Sunrise Way – 07 4638 9091

• SANE Australia – 1800 187 263

Originally published as ‘If I can, anyone can’: Toowoomba local’s inspiring road to recovery