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| Alexandria Crisp, a student at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, works part-time at the Balsam Center just across the Jackson County line. |
Though surrounded by opioid addicts throughout her young life, Alexandria Crisp did not become one.
Given every reason to identify as a victim, she declined that label as well.
What she aims to become is something different entirely: a healer.
“I grew up in an addictive home,” said Crisp, now a student in Southwestern Community College’s human services technology/substance abuse treatment program. “It gave me more than it took away. I see past a person’s addiction; I see what they can do. I see people for who they are. I see their talents and their potential. There’s an unfair stigma against people with addictions. They’re seen as having a moral defect. I’d like to try and help change that.”
Her father, Alan Crisp, struggled with addiction all of Alexandria’s growing-up years.
Now in recovery, he recently reflected on what he’d say to someone who may be considering – or only beginning to abuse – opioids.
“The pain you will suffer from a life of using will exponentially surmount the temporary relief you'll get from using,” he said.
throughout Alexandria’s formative years, the family had a fixed income due to the elder Crisp being on disability. Alexandria didn’t participate in sports or other extra-curricular activities, and there were field trips she couldn’t afford.
But she also recognized blessings mixed in among the struggles.
“I was loved, and I was fed,” she recalls. “I have good memories of my father. I’ve always known he loves me, but because of the way addiction affects the brain, the drugs came first (for him) … I felt like I was an adult way before I should have been. Even when I was seven, eight, nine years old, I had so much freedom to get up and go. I had to get myself ready for school, get many of my own meals and do my homework; it was up to me. Looking back, I’m thankful for this because of the strong sense of responsibility it gave me.”
At age 16, craving structure and realizing she wasn’t in an ideal environment, Crisp moved out and made a living for herself while completing her diploma at Swain County High.
She’s been on her own and working toward her goals ever since.
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| Alexandria Crisp is shown here with her father, Alan Crisp, at the SCC Human Services Technology pinning ceremony on Dec. 12 at the Jackson Campus in Sylva. |
Crisp’s upbringing is, unfortunately, all too common as opioid addiction continues strengthening its grip on communities in southwestern North Carolina as well as much of the United States.
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| For detox or crisis stabilization services, contact the Balsam Center at 888.315.2880 24 hours a day.
For information about SCC’s human services technology and/or substance abuse treatment programs, contact Clancy at 828.339.4397 or l_clancy@southwesterncc.edu. |
“The opioid crisis may be the most significant healthcare issue facing our nation right now,” said Dr. Mitch Fischer, dean of SCC’s health sciences. “We need to take it seriously.”
Lori Clancy, who coordinates SCC’s Human Services Technology program, said recent studies show that the United States consumes 95 percent of opioids produced worldwide.
“So what are all these other countries using to treat pain?” Clancy asked. “There are other solutions out there.”
Through her upbringing, Alexandria is extremely sensitive to and aware of how prevalent the opioid problem has become in our country.
“Growing up around addiction, I can recognize it on the street,” she said. “Just walking around in WalMart, I can tell, ‘Oh yeah, that person’s using.’ I can see it (use). It’s just obvious to me.”
Clancy’s substance abuse treatment program at SCC trains students like Alexandria to work with folks seeking recovery from addiction.
Since this summer, Alexandria has been working at the Balsam Center – a facility-based crisis stabilization unit that helps with detoxification services and is a first stop for recovery.
The experience there – and in her college program – has helped Alexandria discover what she ultimately hopes to accomplish: earning a doctorate in nursing so she can specialize in psychology and addiction treatment.
“We don’t have anyone in Western North Carolina who specializes in addiction medicine as a medical doctor,” Clancy said. “We need someone like that in this part of the country.”
Now in her second year at SCC, Alexandria will graduate with two associate degrees on Dec. 15 – but her educational journey is far from over.
She’s applying to SCC’s Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program, which she plans to start in January.
“Alex has overcome some unbelievable obstacles to develop into the woman and professional she is becoming,” Clancy said.
A single mother, Alexandria has maintained a 4.0 Grade Point Average at SCC while raising Colton Crisp, age 4.
She’s also enjoyed an unexpected opportunity to reconnect with her father, who – with Alexandria’s help – is in recovery from his longtime addiction.
Alan Crisp recently survived a life-threatening bout with MRSA, which ultimately robbed him of the ability to walk.
“I try not to think about the things I've missed in my life because of my use but focus on what my recovery has given me,” Alan Crisp said. “It has given me my life back and the opportunity to rebuild a healthy relationship with my daughter.”
He’s moved in with Alexandria, who daily works with him in his recovery – and cherishes every moment with her dad.
“He’s been very supportive of what I’m doing,” Alexandria said. “Things would be much different if he hadn’t survived. I’m very glad I’ve been given this time with him.”
