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
In May of 2022, I walked through the doors of Harmony Recovery in Estes Park, Colorado, carrying with me a lifetime’s worth of pain, regret, and a sense of hopelessness that I couldn’t shake. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was about to begin the most important journey of my life — one that would ultimately save it.
Before treatment, my life was ruled by alcohol. What started as a way to party or fit in gradually took over everything. At first, I told myself I was just blowing off steam, just having fun. But over time, the drinking became daily, and then it became necessary. I woke up thinking about it, structured my days around it, and slowly watched as everything else — relationships, career, self-respect — began to fall apart. I was functioning on the outside, but inside I was unraveling.
The truth is, addiction is cunning. It convinces you that you’re in control even as everything crashes around you. Friends and family expressed concern, but I always had an excuse or a rationalization. I was too ashamed to admit how bad things had gotten. I isolated myself and became someone I barely recognized.
When I finally reached out for help, I was physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. It wasn’t one dramatic event that led me to seek treatment — it was the quiet, aching realization that I couldn’t go on like this. I wanted to live, but I didn’t know how without alcohol.
Entering Harmony Recovery was a leap of faith. Nestled in the serene beauty of the Rocky Mountains, the campus itself felt like a breath of fresh air. But more than the setting, it was the people — the counselors, the staff, and my fellow clients — who made it a place of healing. I wasn’t alone anymore.
The first days were tough. Detoxing from alcohol was both physically uncomfortable and emotionally jarring. But as my body began to heal, so did my mind. The clinical team at Harmony provided structure, therapy, and most importantly, compassion. I learned that addiction is a disease, not a moral failing — a message I desperately needed to hear.
Group therapy sessions allowed me to hear others’ stories and share my own. For the first time, I felt seen and understood. The shame that had kept me silent for so long began to lift. I learned tools to deal with stress, cope with cravings, and rebuild my self-worth. Harmony didn’t just treat my addiction — they helped me begin to understand myself.
I stayed in treatment for almost 30 days, and when I left, I carried with me a sense of purpose and a renewed commitment to life. But recovery didn’t stop when I walked out the door. I continued outpatient therapy, and continued to participate in the Harmony Peer Support meetings, the alumni events, and I have a very close sober community. Every day since then, I’ve made the choice to stay sober — and that choice has brought me more joy, peace, and connection than I ever thought possible.
Today, more than three years later, my life looks completely different. I wake up clear-headed. I show up for the people in my life. I’ve rebuilt relationships that I thought were beyond repair. I’ve discovered new hobbies, found a community of support, and learned to live life on life’s terms. Sobriety hasn’t made life perfect — challenges still come — but I now face them with courage and clarity instead of a bottle.
To anyone who may be struggling as I once was: there is hope. Recovery is possible. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s the first, brave step toward reclaiming your life. I am living proof that no matter how far you’ve fallen, there is a way back.
Harmony Recovery gave me the tools. Sobriety gave me my life back. And every day, I’m grateful I chose recovery.
– Michelle S.