Before entering into the Serenity program I was chained by my addiction homeless on the streets by myself. I was given the gift of desperation as I spent my days alone and scared waiting for every day to just end. Recovery Court intervened and removed me from the hell on earth I was experiencing they gave me the opportunity I had been praying for, they gave me inpatient treatment at the Serenity program.
My experience at Serenity was life-changing, I was escorted to my room after being given some clean clothes and new shoes where I sat on a clean bed already made up for me, and I cried. I took a deep breath because I could finally breathe and wept over the overwhelming feeling of safety I felt being there. The staff was so personable and shared testimony of their own which filled me up with hope for a real chance to achieve and maintain sobriety for myself.
The daily groups were like medicine to me, as I learned new tools for the first time and processed through a lot of hurt, I could actually feel parts of my heart starting to heal. I am truly grateful for the foundation of independence and self-worth I found at Serenity to stand on to begin to build my life sober and in recovery.
After completing the program Serenity helped me find a safe place to transition to at Hazelbrook Sober Living where four years later I am now a certified peer support specialist as well as a Hazelbrook Sober Living Director. I often share my story with residents and the still struggling addict about where my recovery started and that was at Serenity. Thank you, Serenity for making all the difference in my life at a time when I needed it and it mattered the most!