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"August 15th will always be the day that saved my life."

Jess M | Pinnacle Treatment Centers

For many years, I was just trying to survive. What started as recreational use in my early twenties slowly turned into dependence. Between ongoing medical issues, a serious car accident while I was pregnant, and emotional trauma I didn’t know how to process, substances became my way of coping.

Before I realized it, my life began to fall apart. I became involved with the child welfare system and eventually lost custody of the four oldest children I had with my ex-husband. Leaving the hospital without my baby was one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life.

Addiction took everything from me — my stability, my sense of self, and the future I once imagined. At my lowest point, I experienced homelessness and isolation. I was no longer living — just trying to make it through each day.

Everything changed on August 15, 2017. A close friend refused to give up on me. She drove me to the clinic, supported me, and helped me start medication-assisted treatment. That day became my second chance at life. MAT gave me stability when I couldn’t find it on my own. For the first time in years, I could think clearly, function, and begin rebuilding my life.

When I first began MAT, I traveled to a clinic nearly 45 minutes away—an hour and a half round trip. For years, I made it work. I had earned my take-home medication and maintained that level for a while, so the drive every couple of weeks felt manageable. But eventually, circumstances changed. After missing a medication check—not due to noncompliance, but because I missed phone calls and voicemails—I was suddenly told I would be phased down to daily medication. After eight years of compliance, clean screens, and stability, that decision felt devastating.

I continue to choose Pinnacle Treatment Centers because of the support I receive from every level of staff. My counselor truly understands where I come from and what I’ve been through. The Executive Director goes out of her way to recognize progress, whether it’s adding a leaf to the recovery tree or celebrating accomplishments on the star wall.

Daily travel was simply not an option. It would have meant waking my children at 3:30 in the morning, leaving the house at 4:00 a.m., and disrupting their entire routine. The experience was humiliating and frightening. It felt like my lifeline had been pulled out from under me, and panic set in. For the first time in eight years, I had thoughts I never imagined I’d revisit. That moment ultimately led me to Pinnacle Treatment Centers and what felt like a crisis became a blessing in disguise.

Today, my entire visit to PTC—from the moment I leave my house to the moment I return—takes about 40 minutes on days I’m not meeting with my counselor or attending group. But more importantly, I feel seen and valued there. The environment is welcoming and personal. The staff knows my name, remembers conversations, and asks about my life—like how school is going. I’m not treated like a number. When a facility takes my recovery seriously, it motivates me to do the same.

I continue to choose Pinnacle Treatment Centers because of the support I receive from every level of staff. My counselor truly understands where I come from and what I’ve been through. The Executive Director goes out of her way to recognize progress, whether it’s adding a leaf to the recovery tree or celebrating accomplishments on the star wall. Even after eight years in recovery, those moments matter. From the check-in window to the nurses to the counseling team, the care is genuine. Addiction isn’t easy, but they consistently make you feel like you and your recovery are important.

Group sessions and individual counseling have also played a critical role in strengthening my recovery. At my previous facility, groups weren’t required, and counselor meetings were infrequent. I didn’t realize how much structure, accountability, and consistency mattered until I experienced it at PTC. Over eight years elsewhere, I had ten different counselors—ten times retelling my story. That takes an emotional toll. PTC showed me that continuity of care makes a real difference.

Looking back, I’m grateful things unfolded the way they did. Otherwise, the people at PTC might never have entered my life. They’ve helped make my recovery not just sustainable, but stronger than ever. Anyone can change their stars—you just have to want it and be willing to accept the help that gets you there.

Since then, I’ve worked hard to move forward. I returned to school, earned my medical assisting certification, and am now continuing my education to become a surgical technician. What once fit in a laundry basket in my car has grown into a life, I’m proud of.

Today, I’m a mother again, raising my two young boys with my current husband and continuing my recovery journey. I’ve learned that recovery looks different for everyone — and that it’s okay to do what works for you. I share my story because I want others to know that change is possible. If my journey helps even one person take that first step toward help, then it’s worth it.

August 15th will always be the day that saved my life.