Mikaela grew up in Melbourne in an area where ‘it was common to start drinking at an early age’.  As a 12 year old, Mikaela experienced uncontrollable drinking and mostly struggled in school. She was frustrated, angry, lost and unmanageable. She barely finished year 9.

Mikaela first went to rehab at the age of 17 and was in and out of Narcotics Anonymous the last 10 years, though never worked the program during that time. She even lost her job as a nurse for using while at work. Now at 10 months clean, Mikaela dreams of being able to help people in addiction recovery and mental health.