By Chris McKenzie | Community Relations Coordinator
A Story of Hope and Second Chances
My name is Chris, and if you had asked me in 2016 where I thought my life was headed, I don’t think I could have given you an answer. Back then, I didn’t believe in recovery. I didn’t believe in change. I didn’t believe in myself. I’ve lived through instability, addiction, and moments of utter hopelessness, but today I’m living proof that recovery is possible, no matter how far gone you might feel.
A Tough Start
My early life was unstable. After my mother left when I was young, survival became a daily battle, both physically and emotionally. I acted out in ways I didn’t understand, causing a lot of turbulence in my teen years. There were runaway nights, aimless hitchhiking, trouble with the juvenile justice system, and an overwhelming feeling of being completely lost.
Eventually, I turned to marijuana and alcohol to cope, finding temporary relief from a life I didn’t want to face. But that escape quickly spiraled. Marijuana and alcohol turned into pills, and soon I was caught in the grip of fentanyl and heroin.
At first, I thought I had it under control. I built what seemed like a normal life—I got married, had children, and worked toward a better future. But I soon realized it’s impossible to build stability while carrying unresolved pain and destructive habits. My marriage crumbled, I lost my family, and eventually, I ended up in prison. Shame consumed me, and I started to believe I wasn’t meant for anything better.
The Breaking Point
I hit my lowest point while on parole, living alone in a hotel room. Overwhelmed by everything I’d lost and convinced I was beyond saving, I tried to end my life, believing the world would be better without me.
But life had other plans, and it was around this time I met someone who changed everything.
A Seed of Hope
Her name was April. She came into my life as a peer who shared a story of brokenness and recovery. But she wasn’t like others I had encountered before. She didn’t judge me. She didn’t pity me. She treated me like a human being who had value.
Through her words and actions, April planted a tiny seed of hope in my mind. She made me believe, for the first time, that recovery wasn’t just something that happened to other people. It could happen to me too. That belief was the spark I so desperately needed.
Early Recovery
Starting my recovery wasn’t easy. I had no car, no healthy coping mechanisms, and was still weighed down by my family’s struggles. But I kept going. I found strength in a growing support system and, most importantly, taught myself to see the beauty in small wins.
Gratitude became my anchor. Simple joys, like waking up with a clear head or being able to smile without shame kept me grounded as I rebuilt my life, piece by piece.
Finding Purpose
One of my biggest breakthroughs came when I joined Pinnacle Treatment Centers. At first, it was just a job, a sign of stability and responsibility. But it quickly became much more.
For the first time, I saw myself not as someone who needed help, but as someone who could help others. Using my lived experience to support others on their recovery journeys gave me a sense of purpose I didn’t know I was missing. Helping others heal turned out to be deeply healing for me too.
That shift in perspective was life-changing. I stopped seeing myself through the lens of my mistakes and started recognizing my strength, resilience, and growth.
A New Life
Today, I can hardly believe where I’ve ended up. Recovery didn’t just give me a second chance; it gave me an entirely new life.
I’ve rebuilt my relationships with my wife and children, finished my college degree, and learned the value of consistency and showing up as the person I want to be. Most importantly, I’ve found joy in using my story to inspire hope in others.
Recovery isn’t just about quitting harmful habits—it’s about taking back your life. No matter how far you’ve fallen, there’s always a way back up. If you’re reading this and feel like change is impossible, know this: it’s not. I am proof that even in your darkest moments, there’s a light waiting for you.
If sharing my story helps even one person believe in that light, then every painful step was worth it. You are never beyond saving. Recovery is possible. Keep going.
About The Author
