Substance abuse touches so many lives here in Alaska but when the person with an addiction is a mother..the situation can be so much worse. In this week's Break The Cycle, focus is on a treatment program that is specifically designed for mothers with children.

Stepping Stones is a program run by Akeela House that is located in three midtown apartment buildings that form a semicircle on a quiet residential street. From the outside the dwellings look worn but inside the humble walls there are women working to break the cycle of addiction.

Sonia Chayalkun, a resident, explains how she ended up there, "I'm an alcoholic and I just couldn't one thing bad happened after another, and I ended up getting in trouble and then that's when I

realized I had a problem with my addiction."

It was a problem she couldn't solve on her own, so Sonia put her college plans on hold and wound up in treatment instead.

At Stepping Stones Sonia has her own apartment, which she shares with her two young daughters. Here she can live somewhat independently while undergoing treatment. Program Manager Rebecca Davis says keeping the family together is a big part of the program.

"Many of the children have come from real chaotic home situations and this is a real stabilizer for them. It's kind of an introduction to being a family, each woman has their own apartment, they are able to do their own cooking and cleaning, but they also have us as a support network that surrounds them."

At Stepping Stones the older children go to school while the younger ones come to a small on-site day care where moms can bring their little ones while they attend class or group sessions.

Parenting classes are also required, and that's a good thing according to Jessica Bordelon, a heroin addict who after a year of being clean and sober was recently reunited with her three-year-old son Justin.

"I got sick of being in and out of jail and being away from my son. I've been in and out of his life since he was born. I had him in jail and I was separated from him at birth so I wanted more."

Counselors say Jessica has made great strides in her recovery. She also has plans to go to college, but like most of the women at Stepping Stones she is taking it one day at a time.

"Many of these woman have been using since they were very young, some as young as 6..I think the average is 11 or 12 ,so these are women who don't have a good foundation. So having 6 months or less of treatment really isn't realistic. They need constant and continual treatment for at least about a year".

Stepping Stones offers services on a sliding fee scale and they are always looking for volunteers for their nursery. They also have a big goal right now of renovating the apartment buildings where the women live and are looking for anyone who could donate time, money or materials to help them. For more information call 569-0097.

To contact the Newsroom, call 907-273-3186.