William E – Finding Community in Recovery

When I first stepped into recovery, I thought it would be a lonely road. I had already moved four states away from home after treatment, was likely leaving my current sales position, and felt like I was pulling myself away from everything and everyone I knew. What I didn’t realize was that recovery isn’t something we’re meant to do alone; my recovery thrives on connection, in healthy communities, and through the kind of relationships that remind us why we keep going.

In those early days, I was blessed to find a community in the Berkshires that welcomed me with open arms. These weren’t just people who nodded politely at meetings, they asked how I was really doing, shared their own struggles, showed me how to live a healthier life, and celebrated the small victories right alongside me. For the first time in a long time, I felt understood. That sense of belonging gave me hope, and that hope gave me the strength to keep showing up.

Over time, my recovery has been shaped as much by helping others as by being helped. There’s something powerful about looking someone in the eye who feels as lost as I once did and being able to say, “You’re not alone, I’ve been there.” Building and maintaining connections, whether directly related to my recovery, for business purposes, or simply by introducing like-minded friends has become a cornerstone of my journey. It has taught me that vulnerability builds trust, accountability keeps me grounded, and hope is contagious when it’s shared. Today, my healthy community is international, and I strive to strengthen it daily. It’s in this cycle of giving and receiving, I’ve found purpose.

My recovery story began at Mountainside, and my love of connection started with a discharge planner suggesting sober living in Great Barrington. Now, approaching eight years in recovery, I have worked in the behavioral health field for nearly as long, mended relationships, found the woman of my dreams, and focused on what truly matters in this world: enjoying this ever so brief life, noticing the world around me, being grateful, showing everyone I encounter respect and love, and simply striving to be a good human. Recovery for me was never just about finding freedom from what held me down; it’s about finding freedom in connection, and discovering that by helping others build bridges, I strengthen my own.