Harmony Recovery has been providing addiction health care services in Estes Park since 1969. We would like to offer these stories from our alumni to show the humanity, strength, and perseverance of those working to recover from addiction. Often stigmatized and misunderstood by society, people on their path to recovery are managing a chronic illness which is a unique journey for each individual. Here is one such story. — Shane Hudson, CEO, Harmony Recovery
My sobriety journey began on Sept. 10, 2023. I was severely intoxicated and on my way to Gilpin County to help a fellow first responder pack out a once-in-a-lifetime moose. Before I made it to the highway, something came over me. I pulled into a hotel parking lot near my house — the same hotel that had become my temporary home several times before — and called my dad.
For years, I had forced my family to stand by and watch as I destroyed my life. My wife (we are still married), our 7-year-old son, and our two dogs lived in constant uncertainty, often kicking me out after another night of drinking. I was selfish, and I often told myself the lie. You know the one. The lie that my drinking is only hurting me. But that night, before I could cause any more harm — by getting a DUI or worse, hurting someone on the road — my dad met me in the parking lot and took me to a friend’s house. That friend happened to be in recovery herself and worked as a recovery counselor. That was the night everything started to change, but more about that in a bit…