Harmony Recovery has been providing addiction healthcare 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 story is not one full of disaster. I didn’t ruin my life. I didn’t go to jail. My relationships stayed intact. I never lost a home or a job. I didn’t go broke or incur an enormous amount of debt. Yet, despite not experiencing any great hardship or loss, alcohol brought me to my rock bottom. It became the main source of my depression and anxiety. I know that even though I never experienced many of the negative outcomes of alcoholism and addiction, they are waiting for me if I decide to go back out.
I grew up in Colorado and lived what many would call a normal life. I had (and still have) incredibly supportive parents who provided me with many opportunities for which I am grateful. My drinking started in high school around the age of 16. My friends had already been experimenting with alcohol, and I decided it sounded fun. I didn’t know it at the time, but I didn’t drink like the rest of my friends. I enjoyed it so much that I started sneaking it early on. Whether it was at my grandparents’ house, stealing beers I knew they didn’t drink, or at home waiting for my parents to leave the house, I would try to get my hands on it every chance I got…