“At Clínica Romero, I learned how to heal. I found support and compassion. The people working there helped me not just because it was their job, but because they genuinely cared about me as a person.”
Those nightmares still come, that black hole she spent several years of her life in.
“They’re terrible; I have to fight them,” says Amanda Sabala, a Filipina who, after many years, has finally managed to overcome the severe addiction that plagued her life.
“It’s a constant struggle, a fight every day. I’ve been addiction-free for just over a year, and it feels like a victory. I feel happy, I’ve learned to love myself, and I’ve found love,” she says confidently.
Love is an essential part of her life. Amanda believes that the absence of a father figure during her early years built the vulnerability that led her to start using marijuana at the age of 15.
“My father was never around. My mother raised us, but she had to work all day. As the eldest, I had to help with housework and take care of my younger brother and sister, even feed them. The absence of a father figure caused me a lot of problems,” Amanda recalls.
The cycle broke when she joined the program offered by Clínica Romero for drug treatment. A legal issue gave her the option to resolve the offense, which turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to her.
“At Clínica Romero, I learned how to heal. I found support and compassion. The people working there helped me not just because it was their job, but because they genuinely cared about me as a person. It was the best thing that could have happened,” she adds.
A Wrong Path, Suffering, and the Chance to Return
Amanda had to leave school at a young age. First, she had to help with household chores. Then, a few months after turning fifteen, she had to start working to help cover household expenses.
“Problems started too. I hung out with the wrong crowd, started using drugs, and since my mother wasn’t home, I could easily hide it. I went from one relationship to another, used drugs regularly, and seemed to be searching for something. I was convinced I was looking for love. I couldn’t find it, but that didn’t stop me from trying different experiences,” she remembers.
Time led her into bad relationships, one after another, and later to trying her luck in other cities. What could have been an opportunity to change her life became the opposite.
“Those were very difficult years. I started trying other drugs, still searching, but I didn’t know what I was looking for. When I left home, my mom was very sad, but she thought I needed to live my own experiences. I didn’t think twice,” she says.
What began as an escape through marijuana quickly escalated to ecstasy and cocaine. The black hole had swallowed her.
“When you’re like that, you always try to find excuses, you look to get high, and you lose control. I lived in Las Vegas for a while and would periodically return to my mom’s house. It was a safe place when I didn’t know what else to do,” she recalls. “My mother was there, but I didn’t have the support network I needed at that time.”
Amanda had a daughter but distanced herself from her. The substances had a stronger, more overwhelming effect. She forgot about her daughter and turned to what had been her escape: the streets and drugs.
“I cried, hid, no one could find me. I practically lived on the streets, jumping from place to place. At that time, I lived in Orange County and experienced something I never had before. I was bathing and I collapsed. I saw that dark space and didn’t want to be in it. I had been punishing myself, separating myself from my life and my daughter’s. I was tired, crying in the shower, and I decided it was time to change. Enough was enough,” she says.
It was her daughter’s birthday. The little girl held a lot of resentment because Amanda had distanced herself. Amanda arrived, began to cry, hugged her, and asked for forgiveness. She couldn’t stop crying—it was as if all the pressure she had carried for years had finally poured out. She doesn’t forget the date: April 13, 2024. She had been reborn.
“My daughter didn’t cry. She just said, ‘I forgive you.’”
There Is Always Hope
“Hello, my name is Amanda Zabala, and I’m a certified Peer Support Specialist. I also provide professional tax preparation services. I’ve always believed that true stability means caring for every part of life—emotional, mental, and financial—and I’m deeply dedicated to helping others through their recovery and personal growth journeys. My passion for this work comes from my own life experiences. I’ve faced challenges with addiction, and through my recovery, I discovered strength, healing, and a sense of purpose I never thought possible,” Amanda begins, sharing her story in her own voice.
For Amanda, looking back at the young girl who was lost on the streets brings sadness, but also compassion—not just for herself, but for others going through similar struggles.
“I feel very happy with where I am. I know it’s difficult, but now I’m focused on my goal: making a difference in society, helping others, and using my experience and life to help others heal,” she adds.
Her maturity, the way she has processed life’s blows, and how she has rebuilt herself healthily, allow her to reflect deeply. Amanda also wants to advocate for mental health causes. She knows her story is not far from many others’, and pointing that out is something society needs.
“For the past year and eight months, I’ve been proud to be part of Clínica Romero. Being there has truly shaped who I am—not just professionally, but as a person. Clínica Romero gave me the tools, structure, and support I needed to continue growing in my recovery. The team there helped me recognize that my story could be a source of strength for others. That’s where I realized I wanted to become a Peer Support Specialist,” she continues.
Amanda knows life has given her a second chance, and this time, she has all the support she needs. She doesn’t look back—only forward. She knows life comes one step at a time and is determined not to fall behind.
“I’m a proud mom to my 8-year-old daughter. She inspires me every day to stay grateful, keep growing, and never give up on myself. When I’m not working, I enjoy journaling, spending time with my family, and savoring the little moments that make life meaningful. I’m so grateful for how far I’ve come, and even more grateful that I get to use my experiences to help others find hope and healing in their own journeys,” she concludes.
CLINICA ROMERO
For more information about the different programs, you can contact us at:
Call (213) 989-7700
