"And some will be people you know," said Michelle Templin, VOA communications manager. "We do several tours a year at the women's center in Murray. We always tell people that if they see someone they know as they go through, don't react and don't go home and say 'Guess who I saw in rehab today?' People always say they are certain they won't see anyone they know. But they do almost every time."

Kersh still can't believe she became one of them.

"It's weird that this stuff that looks like a little ball of sand could just take over my life." Now that she's got it back, she's going to Germany in a couple weeks to live with family stationed there in the Army. She will complete her high school diploma there — one of the many things she was pretending to do here.

"I got my passport today," she said Friday. "I'm so excited to go. I'm so excited to have my brain back, and to be able to think and to remember things, and to care that it's a beautiful day."

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Where to go for information

September is National Substance Abuse Recovery Month. Those wanting general information about programs and services in the state can contact the state Department of Human Services at 538-3939 or www.dsamh.utah.gov, or the National Institute on Drug Abuse, www.nida.nih.gov. Those wishing to donate to Volunteers of America can call 363-9414, visit www.voaut.org or can participate in a special fund raiser, Bowling for Recovery, on Sept. 29. Registration is required.

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E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com