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
I had tried many times on my own to quit drinking before entering Harmony Recovery. Well, I take that back. I had tried to moderate my drinking — to control it, change it, modify it — but I wasn’t ready to quit completely. I tried many tactics: changing the kind of liquor I drank; drinking only at home; drinking only when I was out; drinking only on vacations; drinking only with friends; drinking only alone; drinking only when I was happy — ad infinitum.
Finally, when I decided I truly wanted to quit for good, I tried a whole new set of tactics. I tried Prozac, acupuncture, spiritual mind treatment, the marijuana maintenance program, therapy, positive thinking, self-help books, hypnosis, church and more. Guess what? It didn’t work. There is a huge difference between recognizing that one has a problem with alcohol and admitting — and truly accepting — that one is powerless over alcohol.
Circumstances eventually conspired to bring me to this beautiful treatment center nestled in the woods. At Harmony, I learned that I was powerless over alcohol and that none of my tricks to manage it could work any longer. Harmony surrendered me. I was no longer trying to fix myself; instead, I allowed something greater than myself to help restore me to healthy, sound, rightful and joyous living…