Recovery Journey Stories

When I walked into Mountainside for the first time, I was overwhelmed with shame and uncertainty. I didn’t really understand what recovery was, and if I’m being honest, I wasn’t fully committed to it yet. This wasn’t the way that my life was supposed to go, but I also knew I couldn’t keep living the […]

The Dopey podcast, created by Mountainside alumni Dave and Chris, provides a raw, unfiltered, and often hilarious take on addiction and recovery, initially focusing on “war stories” but evolving into the supportive “Dopey Nation” community. The podcast resonates with thousands who feel isolated by traditional methods by embracing dark comedy and honest storytelling, proving that […]

Alison B. struggled with substance abuse for most of her early life and ended up in the ICU after a heroin relapse. Listen to and read her story here.

Setting boundaries in recovery is hard. In my personal experience, I learned a few things you can do in case your boundaries are tested.

Discover why addiction is a family disease and how it affects everyone, not just the individual struggling with substance abuse.

When I was a little girl, I dreamt of helping others in some regard. As I went through school for something I had little interest in, and my addiction took hold of my life, I felt I was incapable of helping anyone, let alone myself. So I gave up. Using Substances to Cope I believed […]

Saying goodbye is hard to do, even when you know you have to. Mountainside alum, Sanam M. is sharing a powerful letter he wrote to his old love – his addiction.

While not everyone’s path to healing looks the same, for many, the journey to sobriety includes learning about the 12 Steps of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). But could the steps also help someone who isn’t in recovery?

How can you become the best version of yourself in sobriety? A recovery coach answers how to be honest with yourself and others in recovery.

After over 35 years of problem drinking, I thought I had had enough. Mountainside appeared a good fit for me, and it was. I arrived in November of 2009 and I vividly remember how difficult it was for me to walk through the door. Similar to two magnets pushing each other apart, except inside the […]

The idea of dating while sober used to be horrifying to me, but after years of dipping in and out of the dating pool, I've learned a lot about myself and my recovery.

Long before Kendall Svanda joined Mountainside, she was consumed by fear of the unknown. Learn how sobriety helped her embrace her inquisitive nature.