Ready for a New Life
Indianapolis, IN - Like so many other people struggling with addiction, Carolyn spent years in and out of rehabilitation and detox programs. In 2007, she spent time at The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center as part of a court-ordered detox program, but wasn’t ready to fully surrender and get clean. But when Carolyn finally returned to Harbor Light in 2011, the experience would change her life.
“I knew I was finally ready to commit to the inpatient detox program,” Carolyn recalled. “Detox didn’t work for me in the past because I wasn’t doing it for myself. I wasn’t ready.” Once she was admitted into the program, Carolyn became active in church at the Harbor Light Center. “A lot of the staff at Harbor Light have been through recovery themselves and I could relate to them,” she explained.
Carolyn continued the residential treatment program for approximately ten months, then transitioned to outpatient treatment. She was given all of the tools she needed to stay clean and sober and become self-sufficient again. When Carolyn moved out of the residential treatment program, she decided she wanted to go back to school. The rehabilitation program opened her eyes to helping other people, so she took her newfound passion for helping others and decided to turn it into a career. Before long, Carolyn had successfully completed her associate degree in Human Services.
“They call Harbor Light ‘a place for new beginnings.’ This is true for all people who come to Harbor Light, regardless of if it is staff, church members, or people seeking help with their addiction,” Carolyn said. “My life has literally transformed. I thought it was impossible. Harbor Light Center helps people get back on their feet and has other resources for people who are interested in going back to school or entering the workforce after detox.”
Carolyn now has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is working toward her master’s degree. Her job as a Withdrawal Management Counselor at the Harbor Light Center reminds her every day how important the center is to so many people, including her husband, Eric. The two met while going through different programs at Harbor Light. These programs helped Carolyn and Eric overcome their addictions and face the issues within their relationships that were related to their addictions. Counseling, being involved in the church, emotional support, and spiritual support helped Carolyn and Eric build a strong, healthy foundation for their relationship. The two were married in June 2015 and welcomed healthy twins this past March.
“If someone is ready for treatment, we have all of the tools and resources to help them succeed and become self-sufficient again,” Carolyn said. “As someone who has gone through treatment, it is very encouraging to know that the people who work here have been through the same struggles I have. If you’re ready to overcome your addiction, you really can create a new life for yourself.”