New Jersey Woman Completes Inspiring Journey From Addict to Mother

As part of our ongoing Mother’s Day series celebrating the unbreakable bond between moms and their children, Your Daily Dish is featuring amazing stories that highlight that special relationship.

It is often said that becoming a parent is the most life-altering experience a person can go through. This is certainly true for New Jersey native Nicole Taylor after her life changed for the better five years ago.

For many years, Taylor struggled with substance abuse issues, and things hit rock bottom in 2012. In June of that year, Taylor’s boyfriend died of a heroin overdose. The devastating loss pushed her to get clean and sober for the first time in years.

While in recovery, Taylor began a relationship with a fellow addict. Just after she reached her personal milestone of 90 days sober, Taylor discovered that she was pregnant.

Nicole Taylor makes a choice.

Initially, she was unsure if she would keep the child or give it up for adoption. After all, she never had an interest in being a mother.

However, the sound of her baby’s heartbeat during her first ultrasound convinced Taylor to keep the child.

The actual birth was hard for the recovering addict, as Taylor struggled with hospital nurses who were attempting to give her painkillers against her wishes. Luckily, a nurse who had experience with addiction in his family stepped in and helped Taylor give birth to her son without the use of narcotics.

Nicole Taylor’s son was born one year after Nicole’s boyfriend overdosed, and close to the anniversary of her own sobriety.

Years later, Taylor became the Alumni Coordinator at Sunrise House Treatment Center. At her job, she helps those in early recovery find their way after treatment.

“I grew up at Sunrise Treatment House because my mom worked there for over 20 years,” Taylor told Your Daily Dish. “I grew up playing tag in the halls. Now I get to do that with my son, he comes to work with me all the time. He is my support system. He is my world.”

Special thanks to Help a Reporter Out.