Hi.  My name is Linda and I am here to tell you that I don’t know where I would be today without COMHAR!  The doctors were fantastic and made me feel comfortable and helped me build my self-esteem.  After graduating from the Partial Hospitalization program, I began receiving outpatient services and joined the Open Door Clubhouse.  Dr. Angelo was fantastic and became my anchor.  The entire outpatient “psych crew” made me feel comfortable and continued to help me build my self-esteem which put me on a mission to be stable.  At the Clubhouse, they helped me with my writing skills.  I gained confidence from that and now post poetry on Facebook and music videos on TikTok.

I was so excited when I was given the opportunity to be the cook at a Partial Hospitalization site.  I loved cooking for the residents and staff!  Observing and interacting with the residents made it very interesting.  Unfortunately, I tore a tendon that required surgery and was unable to continue working.

I live alone with a wonderful support system from my family and am self-sufficient.  I start my day with a pep talk in front of a mirror and then take my medication.  But my life was not like that before COMHAR.  I became addicted to pot at the age of 14 and missed almost an entire year of school in 9^th grade.  After 10 inpatient hospitalizations, they finally determined I had bi-polar disorder and indicated that I had been using pot to self-medicate.  Now that I finally had a diagnosis that could be treated with the right medications, I was able to really begin my recovery journey.

I no longer define myself as my diagnosis. I am a perfectionist who enjoys expressing my moods by channeling through different music.  Singing and playing the guitar give me great pleasure.  I am grateful and thankful for all the people who have supported me on my journey.  My 22 years of service from COMHAR coupled with my love of God keep me stable.

The best advice I can offer others on their recovery journeys is “work with, learn from, and trust your therapist and ask about what medications would help you most.”

Arleen, a member of COMHAR’s Community Living Room (CLR) program and an active participant, has become a pillar of support within the COMHAR community. Arleen has taken charge of her own journey, creating a transformative NA meeting named “No Excuses.” Through this initiative, she has not only empowered herself but has also become a beacon of inspiration for others within the community. Her journey stands as a testament to resilience and self-empowerment, embodying the aspirations of many fellow members. Arleen’s actions and example have become a source of hope and motivation for others striving to overcome similar challenges.

Arleen first came to COMHAR in 2006 having found herself trapped in the clutches of addiction, a clear departure from the person she once was. Despite the supportive atmosphere, the shackles of addiction refused to loosen their grip. In her pursuit of the next high, she resorted to lies, theft, and manipulation, revealing the extent to which addiction had completely changed her character. Arleen faced troubling tribulations, battling not only her addiction but also enduring abusive relationships, the deaths of her parents, and the abandonment of her sister. Arleen drifted into the unforgiving streets to feed her addiction. The cycle persisted until a pivotal moment prompted her return to COMHAR in 2022 where she felt safe and supported and was able to release the weight of her pain and trauma.

This return to COMHAR marked a profound transformation for Arleen. The impulse to deceive and steal faded away, replaced by a sincere concern for others and an unmistakable departure from the self-centered pursuit of her addiction. Arleen’s journey is an example of resilience over despair, showing that even in the darkest depths, transformation and healing are possible. Today, she stands as a testament to change and recovery. She exemplifies the remarkable ability to undergo positive change in the face of adversity.

Listen to Arleen tell her recovery journey