Program Helps Reunite Mother And Daughter Via Sobriety

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- When we talk about drug rehabilitation, most of us think it only deals with sobriety.

But a big part of recovery also focuses on rebuilding relationships destroyed by drug use.

In this edition of our "Trees of Hope" series, we focus on how Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge helped a mother and daughter reconnect.

For Missy Smith and Espy Pena, quietly working side by side is worth remembering.

"Before she would yell at me, call me names," Pena said.

It wasn't long ago that this mother and daughter duo had no relationship. Drugs ripped apart their family.

"We were always fighting and I just didn't want to be around her," Smith said.

Stuck in the throes of meth addiction, Smith turned to Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge for help.

The faith-based program showed her the path to sobriety over the last 12 months.

"I just feel like a different woman and it has to do with having a relationship with Jesus Christ," Pena said.

Smith, now 18, followed her mother into drug use at age 11. This time, she would follow her mom's lead again.

"I wanted what she had, so I came to Teen Challenge," Smith said.

By working this program together, the two not only found sobriety, but each other.

"Me and her have, like, the best relationship now and it's so amazing," Smith said.

"Every day that I see her, she's like, 'My mama!' and just hugs me -- and I never had that before," Pena said.

This new-found relationship gave Missy confidence to repair the bonds broken with her other children.

"[My other daughter] got a hold of me here. Now I'm building that relationship back," Pena said.

Addiction nearly destroyed their family. But through recovery, Pena and Smith rebuilt their support system to face life after their program.

"I know that there's a whole new world out there that I didn't know about, and I can raise my kids up knowing what I've learned here this year," Pena said.

Smith will graduate from her program in May.

If you'd like to help Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge continue its work, click here.