Sober Together
Embedded Files
James Wyatt
Team Eisert
“I knew I was going to die if I didn’t get sober,” Laura Arguello said. After her husband died of cancer in December 2020, Laura became clean. For five years she has maintained her sobriety through a routine of work and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
Her son, Jason, and his girlfriend, Lindsey, also battle addiction. When Jason was eight days sober, he called his mother for help and a place to stay. Arguello opened her home. Now, Jason and Lindsey, sleep on an inflatable bed in Arguello’s one-room apartment.
Laura does all she can to help the couple stay clean, from driving them to work and meetings, cooking meals and offering constant encouragement.
She dreams of helping other women through recovery by leading a support group of her own. But for now, Laura is working towards a future where her own family stays sober, one day at a time.
Laura Arguello, 49, braces her neck while working from her apartment in Union.
A handwritten list of coping strategies in Laura's apartment. Laura calls it her “in case shit hits the fan” list, a reminder of steps to take instead of using drugs.
Laura, right, spends time with her son, Jason, and his girlfriend, Lindsey, as they smoke on the patio of her apartment.
Laura folds a crocheted blanket she made for her granddaughter in her apartment.
Yarn, cigarette packs and a Narcotics Anonymous book sit on Laura's table.
Laura applies makeup and gets ready for work in her apartment.
After reading a prayer from her Narcotics Anonymous prayer book, Laura shares a smile with Lindsey.
Lindsey and Jason prepare for bed in Laura’s one-bedroom apartment while Laura works at her desk.
Laura smokes her morning cigarette at 5 a.m. outside of her apartment. “This is the hardest part of my day,” said Laura.
Laura warms up her car before driving Jason to work at 5:15 a.m.
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