Ex-Addict Shares Her Story at Red Ribbon Fair

By Susan Etxebarria

BRIGHTON — Billie Tiger, an alcoholism counselor at the Dunklin Memorial Church recovery program, came to the Brighton Red Ribbon Fair with a purpose. She wanted to share her story with her people about her own recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. She reminded everyone that an addict can cause so much harm because “hurting people hurts people.”

Tiger, 27, bravely stood up on the stage at the Monday Oct. 25 Red Ribbon banquet at the Brighton Casino and spoke to a large gathering. She said when she was five years old she lost her parents due to alcohol and then her brother when he was 22.

When she went off to college she really got into drinking and drugging. She said she was lonely and depressed.

“ You name it, I tried it,” she admitted. “I hurt my family.”

Tiger said she eventually came to the conclusion she must take responsibility for her actions. She went into rehab and there she was able to quit drugs and quit alcohol.

“ At rehab I met Jesus and I learned to lean on him,” she said. “I received healing from him and he delivered me from the trauma of my life. I had a new change in life and a new way of thinking.”

Tiger said she wants to reach out to tribal members and support anyone who wants to get clean and sober.

“ Just getting clean isn’t everything. The world has a lot to offer. I am just glad to be alive. If it wasn’t for the lord, my family and other people who loved me, I would probably be dead,” Tiger said. “My whole family has been devastated by alcohol and now I can say I hate it. I just hope I can show others how to be free from the pain and hurt inside. I just want to help someone else now like I was helped.”