One woman’s fight to escape addiction

When Teresa Ludena Chavez walked into the Anything Helps organization for the first time earlier this year, it was a moment of both hardship and hope. Having been homeless since early May after being released from the hospital, Teresa was searching for basic resources: a shower, hygiene supplies, and a safe space to begin the long journey to rebuilding her life.

“I’ve been homeless since May 6,” Teresa shares, reflecting on her situation. “I started coming here right after I left the hospital. I wasn’t just looking for a shower, I was looking for something clean, something I could feel safe in. 

“Anything Helps is one of the cleanest places, and people prefer to shower here [more] than anywhere else. It’s not just the cleanliness, it’s the respect, too,” Teresa says. “They don’t judge you.”

But Teresa’s story doesn’t end with a shower or a fresh change of clothes. In fact, it marks the beginning of her remarkable transformation. A pivotal moment occurred on May 6 this year when her life took an unexpected turn. An event pushed her to make a decision that would forever change her path.

“I had a fever of 108 degrees and passed out in front of my door,” Teresa says, her voice calm but filled with the weight of the memory. “I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with pneumonia. My blood, my lungs, and my heart were all covered in pneumonia. 

“I died for 21 seconds in the hospital. I wasn’t sure I was going to come back, but when I did, I knew something had to change,” she recalls.

That moment of death, those 21 seconds, marked the start of a new life, according to Teresa. After years of struggling with addiction to methamphetamines and other substances, it was in the hospital that she found her turning point.

“I said, ‘No more. I’m done,’” Teresa reflects. “No more drugs, no more cigarettes, no more anything that would hurt my lungs. I can’t take that risk anymore. I have one lung left, and that’s enough for me to know that I can’t go back.”

Her recovery was not just physical but spiritual and emotional. Having lived a life full of struggle, Teresa came to terms with the trauma she had endured. Her story includes battles with addiction, homelessness, and an abusive relationship that nearly consumed her. She knows all too well what it’s like to be lost, to feel helpless, but she also knows what it takes to rise.

“I started this journey about three years ago. I had a house, I had Section 8, I had my kids with me. But I was using meth, and I started hoarding. My house got out of control. Rats started coming in, my children left, and eventually, I got kicked out,” Teresa explains. 

“I was so deep in it that I didn’t care anymore. I thought I could handle it, but the truth was, I was lost. I was giving my power away, letting others control me.”

Teresa’s turning point didn’t just come from medical intervention. It came from a deep, personal realization. She couldn’t go on living this way anymore.

“I wasn’t going to let that man control me anymore,” she says, her eyes steady. “I was looking for someone to love me, [in the form of] a father figure. When you lose that in your life, you end up in situations like I did. 

“But I’m done with that. I’m not that woman anymore. I can stand on my own two feet.”

Her newfound strength wasn’t just about survival. It was about redefining herself. No longer dependent on drugs, Teresa embraced sobriety with a clear purpose.

“After what happened in the hospital, I made a vow to myself. I don’t want any part of that life anymore,” Teresa continues. “I don’t want to pity anyone who is still using. I don’t feel sorry for people who make excuses. If you can buy that pipe or that drug, you can choose a different life.”

Today, Teresa is focused on rebuilding her life, remaining sober, and encouraging others to do the same. She remains active at Anything Helps, where she finds both support and comfort. She believes that recovery isn’t just about quitting substances but also about giving back, staying true to herself, and finding strength through community.

“I’m not the same person I was,” she says with conviction. “I have a long way to go, but I’m not ashamed of my journey. I’ve learned that the only person I need to rely on is myself and the  higher power, God… That’s who has and can change my life.”

In addition to her own healing, Teresa is adamant about the larger issues she’s witnessed on the streets, particularly the alarming rise of fentanyl and other dangerous substances.

“It’s bad out there. Really bad,” she says. “Sixty people [at one time] were selling items on Lake Street [for drugs]. I see so much fentanyl. And now there’s Trank…elephant tranquilizer. It’s horrible. People don’t care anymore they’re so deep in it. Many people don’t even make it out alive.”

Despite her own painful experiences, Teresa continues to remain hopeful. She’s determined to not only overcome her struggles but to be a beacon of light for others who are still searching for their way out.

“Addiction is tough,” she admits, “but there’s always a way out. If I can do it, anyone can. If you’re not dead yet, it’s not over. You’ve got time to change.”

Anything Helps is located at 3859 Fremont Ave. N. For more information, visit www.anythinghelpsmn.org.

Help is Here is a partnership between MSR and Hennepin County created to highlight local organizations committed to the recovery and education within underserved communities surrounding opioid addiction. For more information, visit our website at www.spokesman-recorder.com under the tab “Help is Here.”