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
Growing up, I frequently felt like I didn’t fit in and saw myself as the black sheep of the family. In high school, I spent a lot of time skipping class to smoke weed (marijuana) and drink with my “friends.” Looking back, I believe that is when addiction started manifesting in me.
Along with substances, I would do anything for an instant good feeling and when I was 17, I was almost arrested for it. Going into my 20’s is when my cocaine use started and it ended with freebasing, which is essentially smoking crack. I partied every night, quit my job, and didn’t have many things I cared about. During that time, I reached a very low point and made the decision to get myself sober by just stopping the use. I got very sick, and the withdrawals were very uncomfortable.
After I was detoxed, I moved back in with my parents, but it wasn’t long until I was back out. I never picked up cocaine again, but I continued on the stimulant path with ecstasy; and when I met my ex-boyfriend, the meth use started. In my experience, the phrase ‘meth, not even once’ is 100% accurate. It took just one use, and I was hooked.
My life as I knew it went downhill so fast. I became homeless, landed myself in jail every couple of months, stole, lied, and ultimately became someone I didn’t recognize. After years of meth use, my fentanyl use started, and as you can imagine, that brought me to my rock bottom.
December 13, 2021, is when I made the decision to seek help and came across Harmony Recovery. At that time, I was on pre-trial and random UA’s (urine analysis) were a requirement. I was at a point where I had already failed two tests, On the morning of December 14, 2021, I knew if I went in to test, I would fail yet again, and they would send me back to jail. So, it came down to one question, “Do I go back to jail, or do I choose to get help and go to treatment?” I chose treatment that day and have been sober ever since.
Harmony saved my life and gave me the tools to be able to sustain long-term sobriety. My life today is a dream. Yes, not every day is good but even my bad days sober are better than any good day I had when I was using. I carry the baggage of being a convicted felon due to my past, but I don’t let it stop me. After 3 years, I successfully finished probation in September 2024. I have been working in addiction treatment for almost 3 years, and I am thriving because of it. I am a part-time student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. I have been married for a year to the most amazing man who is also in recovery. I’m regaining trust from my family, especially my parents, day by day. Today, I am someone I’m proud of and I know who I am when I look in the mirror.
I have also learned that recovery is a process. There have been many things that have assisted me in my recovery outside of treatment. The biggest thing that has worked is community. Any recovery event that I can attend, I do. Being of service in any way I can, not only helps others but also helps my recovery. I also attend NA (narcotics anonymous) meetings on a regular basis and am a sub-chair when needed. Self-care is huge for me, and I make it a point to do at least one thing for myself daily, whether it be simply cooking a healthy meal or getting my nails done. On the days I struggle, I reach out to either my parents or another in recovery. Recovery is not meant to be something done alone, and for that reason, I recover out loud every chance I get.
– Kaylyn