Shannans Biographies

My name is Shannan Rhoades, I am thirty three years old. I have two real brothers, and three step-brothers. I have been a server off and on for seventeen years. I moved to Arizona when I was four years old, from California. I am married, and have three kids, ages fourteen, five, and one. I work every other weekend as a server, the rest of the time I am at home being a full time mom.   My parents got divorced when I was eight. Both of my parents remarried when I was twelve. I moved out on my own when I was thirteen. I have a very extensive criminal and drug abuse history, which led me to a three year stay in Prison, where I underwent a nine month intensive drug rehab program, and I eventually became a Peer Counselor. Prison was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life, I was able to understand what made me think the way I did, act the way I did, and adapt the tools I needed to stay clean and sober, and to help others achieve the same. Ironically enough, three members of my family are in law enforcement, and I have a great relationship with them now! Although it has not always been that way, it makes for a very interesting conversation at the dinner table. I am now going to school because I would like to be able to share my experiences with others, and hopefully shed some insight on patterns and behaviors that are controllable. I would like to be able to get into helping teens battle their addictions, whether it be drugs, pills, or alcohol. I also would like to shed some insight on what contributes to teens wanting to turn to these behaviors in the first place.