Recovery Stories

People living in recovery come from diverse backgrounds and have a wide array of experiences. No one person’s recovery looks exactly like anyone else’s. To illustrate this diversity, we’ve collected personal recovery stories from real people in Harford County.

Each link below directs to a different person’s story.

To get help for yourself or someone you know, contact the Klein Family Center at 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783) or Addiction Connections Resource (ACR) at (443) 417-7810.

Substance Use Recovery

1. “It was hell on earth; the disease of addiction kept telling me to give up, but there was still part of me that was tired of the pain and wanted to live again.”
2. “After being clean and sober for a certain amount of time, I realized that I wanted something different for myself. It was as if I were experiencing life for the first time; my brain felt rejuvenated, my interest in life was renewed, and I felt newly dedicated to the life and well-being of my child.”
3. “The extended time I spent on maintenance was beyond necessary, all those years gave me the time I needed to heal my emotional and spiritual wounds. Some of those things took years to process, and the medication held me up when I couldn’t hold myself up. It allowed me the opportunity to deal with my turmoil, and prepare myself for who I was meant to be.”
4. “Today, I am giving back to my community, trying to be an advocate, because everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Along the way, I lost a lot of important things, but I found myself.”
5. “ You don’t have to be miserable and hate yourself anymore.  You CAN find that wonderful person inside of you.  It’s not easy and takes A LOT of work sometimes.  But it is so worth it!  If my friend could see the devastation left behind, maybe he would have reached out a little harder.  Because it’s not just you that you are hurting.  RIP, MB.”
6. “Never lose hope, you’re never alone fighting this disease. Here’s my hand reaching out to you today.”
7. “I wanted desperately to get help but couldn’t seem to get it right. I was in many different treatments outpatient and inpatient but none seemed to work.  I couldn’t get myself sober despite how much I wanted and tried especially for my children and my family.”
8. “I learned a lot about myself, my family, my friends, and the people at treatment. They gave me a new outlook on life, showed me what is most important, and how much people loved me. All of the things I had forgotten. I have been sober for 26 years and have so many people in my life now to thank for that. Without their love for me there would probably be no me.”
9. “To the person who doesn’t know if they can do it, YOU CAN! Things aren’t going to happen overnight, but they will get so much better. Be patient, believe in yourself, have faith, and have patience, in both yourself, and the timing. Recovery DOES work!”
10. “If I would have any advice for anyone seeking recovery, know that it’s real, really amazing at that! When you feel like you don’t want to talk to anyone or share what is going on in your head, that is the time you need to reach out and call someone. You will grow stronger through those moments and it will get easier. Just don’t give up!”
11. “PLEASE DON”T EVER GIVE UP!!!! WE DO RECOVER”
12. “I have learned that I am good enough just the way I am. I am a person in long term recovery, but I am also so much more than that. I am a daughter, a friend, an employee, a fiancé, a stepmom, and I am proof that recovery is possible.”
13. “The life I have now is better than I ever thought I could have imagined. Recovery is possible. No matter how hard you think the road ahead will be, the work is worth the reward.”
14. “Coming into recovery, my life was dark. I could not see past the destruction that I had caused in my life. Slowly, piece by piece, I have been able to peel back the layer of the onion and discover who this world has always intended me to be.”
15. “I went through going to jail clean for a crime committed while I was using, leaving my ex, finding a job, getting a car, and learning who I WAS- instead of who I was on drugs. The 12-steps taught me how to use my voice, show myself compassion, and help others to do the same.”
16. “There is no greater feeling than being able to walk side-by-side with someone and witness their transformation.”
17. “Give yourself a break. Don’t carry shame and guilt, you’re not alone, we all have a past.”
18. “I work a program of honesty and forgiveness and today I experience joy in my daily activities.”
19. “My life today revolves around recovery and trying to help others receive the help they need.”
20. “I trust that although things are not always easy, things do get better. There are always consequences to actions, good and bad. Although they are not always instant, they are inevitable. Today I know that when I do the work I am met with the most important internal reward, which is peace.”
21. “I never want to be an insecure, fear-filled girl who felt she wasn’t deserving of happiness again.”
22. “Today I’m okay with who I am as an alcoholic and an addict. I know my Higher Power is guiding me to become the best son, friend, and person that I can be. Although my mistakes took me down a harder road than most people, I’m starting down a path that will lead me to spiritual and mental freedom that I could have never imagined and a life I could only dreamed of.”
23. “I am so thankful that there are recovery resources in the county. After relapsing, I was able to find the treatment resources that I needed.”

Mental Health Recovery

1. “You really don’t realize how depressed you are until you aren’t anymore.” I am grateful to be in recovery from living with depression and being able to have a life that is filled with joy instead of feeling like I am “just making it through.”
2. “The extent of my imprisonment by mental illness was not clear to me until I began my recovery.”
3. “What I want others to get from my story is that mental illness can happen to anyone and no one should feel ashamed or keep it to themselves. You may not feel it, but there is hope even in the lowest of times. Which is why you must reach out to someone so they can help you. I promise you, you will not always feel that way.”
4. “For someone working toward recovery, ultimately you have to decide that you want to get better and that you’re willing to go to some emotionally vulnerable places to do so.”
5. “Depression & anxiety no longer define my life. Beyond letting go of my need to self-medicate, the practices have opened me up to a wealth of life experiences, and taught me a master class in unconditional self-love.”
6. “Everybody has bad days but dealing with depression is an everyday struggle. It’s definitely true that some days are worse than others, but I’ve learned to manage it, to become aware of my symptoms, my triggers, and to remain in control.”
7. “Know you are not alone and when you feel like you want to keep those covers over you, that is the time to reach out and talk to someone.”