It wasn't long ago that Alissa Williams drank and partied too much and was addicted to pills.
Now, the 26-year-old Taylor resident is one of 52 people who was recognized Thursday for graduating from the Lackawanna County Treatment Court's drug and alcohol abuse program.
"Now I've got my life together," Ms. Williams said before the ceremony in Lackawanna College's theater.
Ms. Williams said she has a job and a new place to live. Perhaps more importantly, she is not addicted to pills any more.
She was among several graduates who described the program as a turning point in their lives.
Fellow graduate Maryanne Santerangelo, a 27-year-old Scranton resident who struggled with alcoholism, said the program provides important structure and support by setting participants up with meetings, sponsors and counseling. In the end, however, she said it is up to each participant.
"If you want it, you'll work for it," Ms. Santerangelo said. "If you don't, you're not going to succeed."
The treatment court offers an alternative program for juveniles and adults with drug and alcohol addictions who would otherwise be locked up. Created in 1999, the program is overseen by Judge Michael J. Barrasse and has graduated more than 500 students.
Judge Barrasse described the event as celebrating people who had gotten themselves into trouble with their addictions and then put in the work to overcome their problems.
Before the event started, a slideshow played, illustrating "before and after" pictures of participants. Many of the graduates looked disheveled and disgruntled in the early photos, then well-groomed and happy upon graduation.
Ms. Williams said she became a mother a year and a half ago, and her child helped keep her on the right track through the program.
"He changed everything," she said.
Daniel Kamarauskas, 31, of Lake Ariel, failed the program in 2003. Like Ms. Williams, he said his young daughter has given him a renewed focus.
"I want to be a good father," said Mr. Kamarauskas, who is currently enrolled in the treatment program after being addicted to alcohol and using many types of drugs, including heroin. "I don't want to be just a dad. I want to be a father."
He said he has "started to find myself" and no longer drinks or uses drugs.
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