She’s walked the runway at New York Fashion Week, won titles like Miss Mt. Rushmore, and may soon have a documentary made about her life. But just a few years ago, Danica Miller was on a very different path.
At just 13, she entered treatment for the first time, struggling with an addiction to inhalants. That struggle deepened over the years, leading to harder drugs, including meth, and at 19, a prison sentence after assaulting a law enforcement officer while intoxicated. With a felony on her record, rebuilding her life wasn’t easy.
After years of addiction and setbacks, Danica found her way to recovery, a journey shaped by pain, but also resilience. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, she shares her story, showing that even in the darkest moments, change is possible, and how she’s turned her past into something that now helps others.
Learn more and follow Danica’s Thrive Tribe group on Facebook here.
Photos of Danica while in active addiction
Current photos of Danica in recovery
Related episodes:
- The Dandelion in the Window
- The Voice You Knew — The Story You Didn’t
- Dr. Sophie Two Hawk on Healing Native Communities from Addiction and Trauma
MEET THE GUEST
Danica Miller
Danica Miller is a recovering alcoholic and addict who turned her pain into purpose. A single mother of three, runway model, pageant queen, and Assistant Director at the Mitchell Indigenous site, she channels her story into advocacy for addiction recovery and mental health awareness. She is also the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Indigenous youth, believing deeply that the next generation deserves strong role models who understand their journey. Danica stands as proof that you can rise from your lowest moments and build something meaningful, not just for yourself, but for others.
