This Mom of 5 Went to Prison on Drug Charges. Now Pardoned by President Biden, She Helps Other Addicts (Exclusive)

Stevoni Wells Doyle, who works as a therapist, tells PEOPLE she will "see glimpses of my younger self in many of my clients today"

A mother of five who went to prison for drug charges — and recently was pardoned by President Joe Biden — is using her experience to help others.

Stevoni Wells Doyle was pardoned of federal felony charges by Biden, 82, on Dec. 12. She was one of 39 people the politician fully pardoned who had committed non-violent crimes in the past. (Biden also commuted or reduced the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and spared the lives of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row.)

Now, Doyle, 47, tells PEOPLE, "I never thought I would get a presidential pardon to get my conviction taken care of on a federal level. I had both state and federal charges and never expected this."

"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to restore the civil rights that I lost," she adds.

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Doyle started using meth in 2000. She was then federally charged two years later after pleading guilty to drug possession and check forging charges.

After serving 15 months in state prison and 11 months in federal, Doyle was released and decided she wanted to turn her life around.

She first worked changing tires, but after the 2008 financial crisis, Doyle decided to go back to school. There, she got an associate's degree and her substance use disorder counseling license.

Then, after working at an in-patient rehab as a front-line staff member, Doyle decided it was her calling and went on to get her bachelor's and master's degrees between 2020 and 2024. She now works as a therapist.

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In order to be pardoned or have a sentence commuted, a U.S. citizen has to submit a petition to the Office of the Pardon Attorney at least five years after being released from custody.

The sitting president can only pardon federal crimes.

The five-year waiting period tied to the petition, the Office of the Pardon Attorney said, shows that the individual has since led “a responsible, productive and law-abiding life."

After the application is submitted, the government will investigate the individual through "neighbors, former and present employers, associates and other individuals who may be able to provide relevant information."

Related: Joe Biden Pardons Son Hunter on Gun and Tax Charges, Says He Was 'Singled Out' and 'Unfairly Prosecuted'

Doyle — who says she will "see glimpses of my younger self in many of my clients today" — tells PEOPLE, "Even though I've had this criminal record and things have been a little bit harder for me, I have been able to accomplish amazing things."

Reflecting on advice she would tell her younger self, Doyle says, "Amazing things are going to happen in your life. I have had the most amazing experiences in my recovery."

As for what she hopes others can learn from her story, Doyle, an animal lover who says she has "fostered hundreds and hundreds of animals" after serving jail time, says, "Some of the most amazing people that I have ever met have been those that have been addicted to substances."

She adds, "I want people to know that recovery is possible. I want people to know that those who are addicted are people too, and they truly can recover."

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.