Savaged to Wellness: A Memoir (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781646701018)

This is a recovery story about a Micmac woman named Melody Paul. She is from the Canadian province of Nova Scotia in an island called Cape Breton, famously known for its beautiful trails. She was raised in Eskasoni. Eskasoni is one of the largest native Micmac tribe reservations in the world. Growing up in her native culture/community, she struggles to adapt and decides to adventure and explore new places. Melody finds her first job on the blueberry barrens of Down East Maine then discovers other ways to support herself. She soon learns to adapt to the American way of life. Unfortunately, her life choice leads her to poverty, abuse, discrimination, and substance abuse. Running becomes a behavior she cannot contain; dysfunctional behavior becomes her way of life; with the combination of her addiction issues it is the exact combination for a perfect storm. It is hustling her way to what she needs to fuel her substance use. Hurting others along the way doesn't matter to her whatsoever because she was sick with addiction, then finally one day something changes the course of her life path, that is when she gets charged with trafficking drugs that causes her friend to overdose. Melody finally owns up to what she has become and decides to face her demons in the cold brick wall of the Maine State Prison. This is when her healing starts. She prays daily and becomes more aware of her actions and behaviors. Melody starts to write and heals herself from the damages of addiction. This is a story of recovery.