Overcoming Addiction and Abuse: A Social Work Student's Journey

LOGAN, Utah — As the student spotlight series within the College of Arts & Sciences continues, one social work student’s story stands apart. Charlotte Prather’s journey at Utah State University is not only filled with academic accomplishments but serves as an inspirational testament that it is never too late to change the course of your life.

Returning to higher education wasn’t easy for Prather. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work allows her to grow in her career, Prather’s motivation to earn her degree runs much deeper.

“I tried to go back to college a few years ago,” Prather said. “I went to Weber State, but I was working two full-time jobs, and it was just so hectic. I dropped out.”

When she was working, an opportunity for a promotion became available. According to her supervisor, if Prather had had a degree, she would have been qualified.

“And I thought to myself, that’s it, I must do this,” Prather said. “I’m not going to get passed over for another promotion. That was it.”

Prather decided to apply to USU’s Social Work program, but the inspiration to go into this field and further her career stems from something even larger.

While growing up in California, Prather experienced domestic violence and began using drugs during her teenage years. She then became a mother and dropped out of high school just months before graduating to care for her eldest son. As she navigated mental health challenges, substance use and an abusive relationship that later became a marriage, she found herself thinking a lot about what she was going to do with her life and what the future held.

In 2003, Prather found her way to Utah to save her life from addiction. This move became a significant turning point. In 2008 she remarried and moved to the Logan area. Both of her parents had attended USU, so returning felt like coming home.

“I am a recovering drug addict,” Prather said. “I’ve been sober for 18 years. I didn’t want my life to be in vain. I didn’t want that to be what people remembered me by.”

And through this road to sobriety, Prather found her calling.

“What came to me was substance use disorder counseling,” she said. “I realized I could use my lived experience to help others.”

Now a college senior set to graduate in May, Prather attends classes through USU’s Brigham City campus and plans to pursue a master’s degree as well. She says her education has transformed not only her professional path, but her sense of self.

“This program has allowed me to stitch myself, my own worth, abilities and accomplishments,” Prather said. “I’d never thought I would get this far.”

This internal growth has also been reflected in her work to help others.

“I have been able to convey that empathy and understanding,” Prather said. “I can really connect with people to let them understand that there’s a way out. That was the pull on why I wanted to do social work.”

In addition to her coursework, Prather serves as the USU Student Association student representative for the Brigham City campus. This is her first year, and even though she isn’t physically on USU’s main campus, she can feel the collaboration between statewide students and the Logan campus students through this .

“I love being available for the kids. What I want them to know is that they have a safe place to be and if they need to talk about anything with me, they can,” she said. “We can feel disconnected on a tiny Brigham City campus; I want them to know that we are still a community. USU is still one community.”

In this role, Prather has been able to plan monthly and holiday events to bring people together, including a Thanksgiving pie drive-through and several student giveaways. Upcoming events include a Valentine’s-themed pizza night and a campus bingo event.

Prather is still working at Logan Regional Hospital, where she sees all the parallels of her expertise.

“It’s such a fine line between mental health and substance abuse,” she said. “I understand where that line is because of my education and lived experience.”

But one of Prather’s most important priorities is making time for her six children and 16 grandchildren. She said that they are her biggest supporters and why she can do what she is doing.

“Because of my rocky past, I didn’t want my children to see me or leave my children in that kind of spotlight,” Prather said. “I want my kids to know that you can chase after your dream. I want to show them that it doesn’t matter what you have been though in your life, it’s what you are going to do about it.”

Despite her busy schedule, Prather makes time for her passions, including gardening, felting and music. For the past 18 years, she has been the lead singer of a rock-and-roll band called Heywire, performing throughout Utah, Wyoming and Nevada.

“It’s my outlet,” she said. “It’s a huge stress reliever.”

Earlier this year, Prather combined her passion for music with her commitment to service by organizing an open mic night to raise awareness for homelessness. Her band invited other local Logan bands to attend the event.

This provided community resources through organizations such as the Warming Center, Cache Community Food Pantry and the Bear River Association of Governments.

Looking back, Prather never expected her story to lead her here. When asked what she would say to her younger self, her words are a powerful reminder that even the most difficult beginnings can lead to something greater.

“I’d say that you are enough. Do not let what other people say to you define who you are,” she said. “Because you are going to do great things, you are amazing and you’ve got this.”