Alumni

I hated myself and drank my sorrows away every day to numb things I could not change. Well, I finally hit rock bottom and decided to try a walk in a recovery home here in the Uintah Basin. I tell you this place changed my life in so many ways and I found not only my sobriety, but how to love myself and forgive others. This place is truly a blessing with great people backing it. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction and need or want to help, this is the place to find it. 

We have both met so many amazing people through the Home who are now our family. There is a bond there that cannot be explained. I owe my happiness and spiritual awakening to the Recovery Home. It has been a blessing in my life and my family’s life. We share one another’s joys and successes as well as one another’s struggles and sorrows. 

From a wife’s perspective:

The home is faith-based and Christ centered and we now have brought that back into our hearts and conversation. His road of recovery would have been much more difficult, and more than likely not possible without this. The spirit in our home is stronger than it has ever been.

As a wife and mother, my favorite part of his stay there was he not only learned how to recover from addiction, but he was taught how to be a man. He learned his role as a husband, and how to be a provider and take care of his family financially as well as physically and emotionally.

I completely hit rock bottom. I had overdosed seven times within six months and the last time I overdosed I woke up in jail yet again facing prison, but they had given me one more chance and I decided I needed help. I was done with that life and I was willing to do whatever it took to change so I came to the Recovery Home. 

They welcomed me with open arms. They taught me about God and that he cared about me, even after all the things I had done. He loves me, which is amazing. I didn’t have anyone that had faith in me at the time, but the people at The Home did, and God did. By getting out and doing community service, and by getting us out of the Home and talking in public, I learned to interact with society again. They taught me how to open up and not be depressed, thinking the world was against me. I learned how to deal with my feelings in a safe place, to find myself, and find that I can change my life. 

I made true friends that cared about me and didn’t just use me. I found a brotherhood with other guys in the Home – people to lean on when I needed and when they needed to lean on me. It was the best thing I have ever done and one of the most amazing and truly incredible places I have ever been a part of. I went from a kid that didn’t have a care in the world about anything, to a man that has his family back, true friends, and a full-time job while going to school and just loving my life. I couldn’t thank the people at the Home enough for what they did for me. It’s such a blessing.

My kids suffered because of my addiction. I almost lost faith in my life, and my ability to live a sober life. I finally sobered up and started going to church and found a reason for my life. Now my kids and I have an amazing relationship. They can see how change is possible. They’re proud of me and they tell me all the time how cool it is to have their dad back in their life. 

I thank God and the program for that. I don’t know what my life would have turned out like without them. I can only imagine that it would have been a miserable, lonely one. 

I started doing drugs when I was 14 years old, and I’m now in my forties. I never really knew myself. I hated life so I was always trying to escape reality. I had tried numerous times to get sober to no avail. I would just find myself strung out and miserable not really understanding why. I really wanted to change – no one really wants to be a drug addict. It’s just what happens when you have a void in your life and don’t know what’s missing. The program showed me what was missing; it was GOD. I found love and forgiveness in him. My ex-wife, my children, and I thank you so much for giving me another chance at my life with my kids. I owe the whole group of people that came and volunteered at bible studies for their time, effort and love. Thanks again.

My brother had pretty much given up on me. My mom could only hope that I would change my life.

While I was there, I gained a strong sense of faith and understanding of Jesus. Everything we did in there was Christ-centered from what we listened to , to what we read. Everything started with prayer, something I wasn’t even sure how to do at first. My understanding of Jesus and the faith I have gained, as well as the support has helped me most in my recovery. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have met people like Dan and Polly Karren, Dee Cairoli, Bobby Richardson, Leo Thorsen… and the list just keeps going. 

My life has truly been blessed. I’m doing better now than I’ve ever done in my entire life. My relationship with my daughter is great. I see her often and she comes and stays with me… something that hasn’t happened in 10 years. My brother and I are rebuilding our relationship. We actually act more like brothers now than we ever have. My mother was so proud of me. She passed away in December, but if it wasn’t for the Home and what I learned about Jesus, I’m sure I wouldn’t have the peace that I do. I know that she’s with Jesus right now. If she could be here today, she would still be proud of me.

I found the Lord, the most important person in my life! I was reunited with my three great kids with whom I spend all my free time with! The things I learned at the Home, I use on a daily basis. I was taught how to be a father to my children, how to deal with life’s problems, and most important… how to be a godly man. I am sober and have learned that 2 ½ years of homelessness isn’t something to be ashamed of, but a part of my life I shouldn’t forget. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support I received from the Uintah Basin Faith-Based Recovery Foundation. Thank you.

Painting a picture here real quick: Over a year ago, my father died in my arms and my mother was killed. I used their deaths as an excuse to drink and do all the drugs I could to try to numb the pain. I committed numerous crimes, and in turn I was facing prison. While in jail, I turned my life over. Only by God’s divine intervention did I not only avoid prison, but was released to the Thompsen House of Hope.

It was there that I was immediately taken in with hugs from people I have never met who were concerned about my well-being and genuinely wanted to help me climb out of the mess I had created in my life. 

Throughout the next 90 days that I was blessed to be there, I had learned how to be a father, a husband, and the true meaning of what it takes to be a man. I had gotten to the roots of why I had chosen to live the way I had and the things that fueled my addiction. I gained a family that is based on honesty, love, faith and hope. My relationship with Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father continues to grow daily. 

It also helped bring a beautiful lady and solidify her and her five energetic boys in my life through an out of this world wedding. I’m blessed to be working for the greatest contracting company, which includes insurance and numerous benefits. I’ve rekindled relationships with family members and even even met quite a few that neither of us knew existed. I’ve received primary calling at church, and even spoken at sacrament. 

In just 12 months, I went from every single one of these blessings being far from reach…to where I am today. I am eternally grateful to those who helped guide me through this process – my wife, strong supporters, the Home, and those who sustain the Home… and most of all, Jesus Christ.