For years, Laura Mackey lived in quiet agony — a functioning professional by day, and a prisoner to alcohol by night. Her journey into addiction wasn’t instant, but rather a slow, painful descent sparked by an unimaginable loss.
“I hold a lot of resentment because I lost my daughter,” Laura shares. “It opened my eyes to see that life isn’t just about alcohol… but that was the path I went down.”
In February 2016, Laura’s world shattered with the loss of her daughter. What followed was an overwhelming spiral of grief, depression, self-harm, and alcohol use. A dedicated dental assistant, Laura never missed a day of work. But behind her composure was a daily struggle few could see — one that involved consuming up to half a gallon of vodka every day.
“I would wake up at 1:30 or 2 a.m. and try to hold out as long as I could,” she recalls. “Eventually, I had to start drinking just to feel normal.”
She describes it as being in a prison. Her body couldn’t function without alcohol. Her world became smaller — no friends, no desire to leave the house, no connection to joy. For eight years, she lived like this. Somehow, through it all, she managed to avoid harming herself or others. But she knew it couldn’t go on.
A Turning Point
Then came April 28. “That was it,” she said. “I woke up and told myself, ‘Look for rehabs.’” With no treatment centers open on a Sunday, Laura made a split-second decision. “Screw it,” she said. “Take me to the hospital. I’m not doing this another day.”
She doesn’t remember much about her hospital stay. In fact, she later learned she had been transferred to another facility entirely without recollection. But there’s one moment she does remember — one that changed everything.
A man named Tim walked into her room. Twice.
He wasn’t a doctor or a nurse. But he brought something more powerful than medicine: hope.
“He brought me a pamphlet for BrightView. I call him my angel,” Laura says. “If it wasn’t for him… I don’t know if I’d be here. I know I wouldn’t be sober.”
That one conversation helped Laura see a new possibility — outpatient treatment that could work with her life as a single mother. A way to get help without disappearing for 30 days. A way to heal without breaking everything else in the process.
Finding Support, Finding Herself
At BrightView, Laura found not only a treatment plan — but a community.
“As soon as I walk through the doors, someone’s there: ‘Hey Laura, do you want to talk? Can I help you?’” she says. “It’s just been an awesome experience.”
She describes the care team as compassionate, present, and persistent in their support. They helped her with more than just her addiction — they helped her rebuild confidence, structure, and hope.
Today, Laura is sober. She’s found purpose again. And she’s grateful — not just to Tim, not just to BrightView, but to herself for making that brave decision to say, “I can’t do this anymore.”
“I’m just really happy I’ve been able to experience this and enjoy my life the way it should be.”
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you’re not alone. Help is just a call away. Visit brightviewhealth.com or call 833-510-HELP.