The following was written by Charles “Chaz” Lichtenstern, a Riverside Recovery alumnus, and has been lightly edited for web format.
As a child, I was raised in an environment plagued by alcohol, drugs, mental illness, abuse, and death. At the age of 18, I believed escaping my trauma by leaving the United Kingdom and relocating to the United States would solve my problems.
However, I soon realized that fleeing trauma and denying our addiction doesn’t work; it relentlessly pursues us. Only when we confront our past and the underlying cause of our addiction can our lives truly begin to heal and transform. It took me over 30 years to comprehend this profound truth.
My addiction and depression reached their peak during the COVID pandemic. I began isolating and self-medicating, which only worsened my addiction. Time flew by; days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and before I knew it, four years had passed since the onset of COVID, and I was still trapped in isolation, battling my addiction. That’s when I finally realized I desperately needed help.
On January 16, 2024, I made the best decision of my life by checking myself into Riverside Recovery. Riverside provided me with a nurturing environment that facilitated my healing journey. This was achieved through an approach that included detox, mental illness treatment, therapy, addiction recovery, coping skills development, and ongoing support. As a result, I finally found the healing in sobriety that I wasn’t able to find anywhere else.
Today, my continued recovery and sobriety are fueled by service work, helping others struggling with addiction, attending regular NA or AA meetings, and diligently applying the tools Riverside taught me to lead a more fulfilling life. I can never express my gratitude enough to Riverside Recovery and their dedicated staff for all they have done for me.
It’s Never Too Late to Heal. Start Your Recovery Journey Today.
Like Chaz, many people spend years trying to outrun pain, addiction, or trauma, only to realize healing begins when you stop running. At Riverside Recovery, we meet you where you are and walk with you toward something better. If you’re ready for a real, lasting transformation, click here to contact us today. We’re here to help you take that first step.