Path to Recovery
By Diana Murillo,
Marketing Specialist
For six months, Yvonne attended a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) group every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday as part of her recovery journey. She was referred to Center for Human Services (CHS) while living at a sober facility, which was a requirement from her job to avoid losing her employment. Although she was familiar with CHS, she wasn’t aware of the full range of services offered. At first, her attendance at the group was mandatory, but it soon evolved into something she looked forward to and became a crucial part of her recovery.
At the beginning of her SUD group sessions, Yvonne was hesitant to fully engage in the program, thinking that she would repeat past patterns — completing the program only to fall back into old habits. When she met Crissy, her counselor, she realized that this time would be different. They shared many conversations in which Crissy encouraged her to be fully committed to the program. Yvonne describes her counselor as someone who truly understood her and her struggles: “She gave me a lot of tools that I’m grateful for. Because of her, I am who I am today.”
During her time in the group, Yvonne discovered a lot about herself and her triggers. She says, “Coming into the classes and getting the tools that I needed made me a better person. It opened my eyes and showed me that there were bigger and better things out there.” Throughout her journey, Crissy held an unwavering belief in Yvonne. Crissy expressed her admiration for Yvonne’s determination, saying, “I knew you had it in you. You just needed somebody there to help you along the way.”
Today, Yvonne has become an advocate for other women as part of H & I (Hospitals and Institutions). Twice a month, she brings literature to jails and speaks about her journey, letting other women know that it is possible to stay sober. Being an advocate is a great source of pride for her.
As Yvonne celebrates her second year of sobriety, she reflects on the impact that CHS services had on her life, serving as a steppingstone in her journey. She is thankful to her SUD counselor, Crissy, for her support and guidance. Yvonne remains focused on her sobriety with the support of her sponsor and is committed to continuing to share her story with others. She hopes that by sharing her experience, she will inspire others to have faith, strength and adopt a positive outlook, knowing that life can change for the better. Yvonne emphasizes that change and recovery are possible through programs at CHS.