Personal Stories & Accounts

Summertime is when we think of being active, outward, uplifted, and having fun. It’s a time to get outside by camping, hiking, swimming, attending outdoor concerts, and those amazing road trips with soundtracks of our lives playing right along with us. We tend to eat more naturally by having beautiful fruits and garden vegetables, visiting […]

My name is Lloyd, and I’m a gay male addict in recovery. While I’ve always been gay, I haven’t always been in recovery! According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) often face social stigma, discrimination, and other challenges not encountered by people who identify as […]

Let’s face it. I’m a crystal meth addict. Before I got sober, there was nothing about meditation that appealed to me. I thought that meditation belonged to the monks and the hippies. Even though I look like a reincarnated Tibetan monk and like to burn incense, I wasn’t interested. But when I got sober, I […]

I always wanted to change. Change who I am, how I am, how I act. I used to see a girl in a movie – or walking down the street – looking happy, comfortable. I imagined that she had always been treated kindly, cared for, and probably had a lovably overprotective dad. I’d imagine all […]

Ezra overdosed on marijuana but still continued to use the drug. Learn how he found sobriety, became an AA supporter, and is living a life he never thought possible.

After losing her loved one to an overdose, Chelsea wanted to get sober but didn’t know how. Chelsea shares how she found recovery at Mountainside and all the gifts that came alone with it.

Ricky is 25 years sober. He has a kind heart, and a warm personality and is always willing to help people. But it wasn't always this way. Here's his story.

Sobriety Date: March 23, 2020 Discovering himself College Student Dependable friend Music artist Mountainside Treatment Center · Atticus A. Transcript Atticus described substance use as a roller coaster. Each time he smoked weed or took pills, he wanted to challenge himself to go on the more intense ride. Eventually, it became too much and something […]

Candy shares the ups and downs of her child's struggle with addiction nearly 20 years ago. The mother of 3 reflects on her life back then and how it has changed today.

Sobriety Date: 9/11/2001 Loving Husband and Father Grateful Dead Fan (Deadhead) AA and Wellness Advocate Pat struggled with substance abuse most of his early life trying to run from his problems rather than face them. After many obstacles, a few attempts to get sober, and a bit of self-discovery, Pat is now living a beautiful […]

Amy was always interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and striving for good grades, but then addiction got in the way. See what happens when Amy chose to put her own life first.

Alcohol took center stage for most of Gaylen's early life. Her perseverance along with the support of her loved ones helped her reach a life she never thought was possible.