No Pain Wasted

No Pain Wasted

How did you do it?

The gift of knowing who I truly am

Emily Marjean Coolbeth's avatar
Emily Marjean Coolbeth
Jul 25, 2025
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A new doctor was asking questions about my medical history last week. Specifically about my past trauma and experience with substance abuse. My life story, when blurted out box-check style, looks very grim.

Sexual abuse? Check

Domestic Violence, Battery, Assault? Check

Victim of Gun Violence? Check

Victim of Arson? Check

Victim of Sex Trafficking? Check

Hospitalizations due to Mental Health Crises? Check

Alcoholism and Drug Addiction? Check

Self Harm? Check

Suicide Attempts? Check

The above list is not comprehensive.

Of course, when he discovered that I had been to 11 treatment centers in the past but got clean without treatment this last time, he raised an eyebrow.

“How did you do it?”

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