The Best is Yet to Come

Matthew found support and compassion at CERRC which helped him achieve his goals. October 2023.

Matthew, a 2023 graduate of the Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC) Outpatient Treatment Program, recently celebrated two years of sobriety since starting his recovery journey in October 2022.

Fresh out of a divorce, Matthew shared that he chose the wrong path, “running from my problems, then things continued to downfall.” Before he knew it, he was “going from that perfect imperfect life of owning a house and having a kid to being homeless on the street to getting in trouble with the police.” Matthew explained that he was charged with carjacking and robbery. “The carjacking was for breaking somebody’s window, and the robbery was for a salad,” he said. 

After being released from jail, Matthew was directed to CERRC for outpatient treatment services and support. In the beginning, he had difficulty committing himself to the program. Matthew recalled that he “kind of ran from the sober living,” at first. He said he remained without shelter for two more weeks, “but I would come here [CERRC] and check in. I wasn’t able to put together clean time… especially being on the street,” Matthew said. Even amid the harsh conditions of homelessness, he continued to push forward.   

But then, on Thanksgiving of 2022, about a month into the program, Matthew tried to *commit suicide. “It was a really hard day for me; it was my first Thanksgiving without family, without my daughter. And I just wanted to leave the world silently,” Matthew said. His attempt failed, and he miraculously received a second chance. “I didn’t pass away; I just ended up going to the hospital, breathing like Darth Vader for a long time.”  

After that, Matthew reached a turning point and spent some time healing from the traumatic experience. “I had established some clean time and had done some minor work on myself… that’s when ECS brought me in again. I stayed clean through the whole program,” Matthew said. 

The path to recovery is not easy, but with hard work and a program like CERRC to guide you, the joy of sobriety is possible. **October 2023.

Matthew shared that he has taken many steps in his journey to recovery, “but coming here [CERRC] and getting dedicated to a program and living in a sober living [home] for a long time...  has just changed my thinking, my dynamic.” Matthew said he learned to change his mindset to “keep fighting; I am good enough… I do recovery for myself today because it feels good.”  

Now, Matthew is completely sober, has a job he enjoys, has continuous support from his friends and the CERRC staff, and is currently seeing a therapist. “It’s fun being sober today,” he said. “I’ve never felt this good about myself.” 

CERRC would not have the healing effect it does without its dedicated staff. According to Matthew, “One of the most important things that I can hold on to is the compassion from the staff.” In returning to CERRC for this interview, Matthew shared how welcomed he still felt by all the friendly faces at the program. He explained how much the staff does for clients, ensuring they have the necessities they need. “I feel like my counselor Summer was very understanding of my situation, as far as just being broken at the time for many reasons,” Matthew said. “She has impacted my life forever. And I’ll never forget what she gave me.” 

“There’s a lot of people that want it, that want to get better,” he said. “But it makes it very hard when you can’t even provide for yourself due to circumstances that are sometimes so hard to move through financially, mentally, physically. A program like this really helps you get your foundation going and also brings you back to life mentally.” The work to help those struggling with addiction may not always be easy, but “I think the ones that want it are worth it,” Matthew said. Thanks to CERRC’s programming and the additional services, Matthew regained control of his life and now envisions his future with optimism. “I feel like my 40s are going to be the best years of my life,” he expressed. 

CERRC offers outpatient treatment for adults and transitional aged youth with substance use disorders, focusing on individual counseling, group therapy, and strategic planning. The multidisciplinary team specializes in co-occurring disorders, homelessness, and employment challenges, ensuring connection to additional community services. To learn more, please visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/central-east-regional-recovery-center. 

*If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts or suicide ideations, call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 1-888-724-7240 to reach The San Diego Access & Crisis Line (ACL). The hotline is a free and confidential support system available 24/7. 

**Caption dates may not be exact.

From Addiction to Empowerment

Stephanie, former CERRC client. April 2023.

SAN DIEGO — Once living in a tent and estranged from her family, Stephanie struggled with substance abuse. Seeking help from CERRC, she embarked on a journey of healing and growth through their comprehensive outpatient treatment services. Battling her inner turmoil, Stephanie persevered with support from her dedicated counselor, Summer Kahoonei. Now, after 20 months clean, she has reconnected with her family, secured a job, and is determined to make a difference in the lives of others.

As she shared her progress, Stephanie expressed her thankfulness, saying, "Miss Summer, I called to let you know I am still doing good and remember everything you said in [the] group. I'm starting school to be a drug and alcohol counselor!"

ECS’ Central East Recovery Center (CERRC) provides treatment and services to individuals struggling with substance use disorders. CERRC’s multifaceted and dedicated team assists with services such as individual counseling, group treatment, assessments, and discharge planning. Clients who are facing other difficulties, such as homelessness or unemployment, will also be provided connections to related community resources.

According to the California Health Care Foundation, in 2021, nine percent of Californians qualified for a substance use disorder, yet only ten percent of those individuals sought help for their illness. Programs like CERRC are essential now more than ever.

With a high success rate, the CERRC program changes lives like Stephanie's daily. Her story highlights the power of determination and support; anyone can overcome challenges and create a brighter future. Please help us continue making an impact by donating today!

Redemption: From 30-Year Prison Term to Recovery at CERRC

Eladio, CERRC client. April 2023.

Eladio arrived in the United States from Cuba in the 1980s and spent over 30 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. After his release, Eladio faced significant challenges in adapting to life on the outside; he battled with alcohol abuse to cope with the loss of his ex-wife and struggled with the difficulties of societal reentry.

Despite these challenges, Eladio remained determined to turn his life around. He contacted CERRC, which provided him with the support and resources to address his addiction and rebuild his life.

Eladio recalls, “I prayed every day [for] a second chance at life. God heard my prayers, and I was awakened one day and told it was time to go. I can’t express what it feels like to have spent 30-plus years in prison and walk free.”

With the help of CERRC, Eladio was able to obtain a state ID, secure funding through the cash assistance program for immigrants, acquire a work permit, and begin the lengthy process of obtaining his U.S. citizenship, which has given him a newfound sense of hope for the future.

Eladio’s story highlights the many challenges former inmates face when reintegrating into society, especially those with a history of addiction. However, it also demonstrates the transformative power of second chances and the importance of compassionate and dedicated support in helping individuals rebuild their lives after incarceration.

Meet Greg

Meeting Greg for the first time, one is struck by his unassuming demeanor. He has an effortless Southern Californian air about him: delicately windswept salt and pepper hair, a posture and walk that is assured yet unhurried, and a gentle manner of speaking, which is purposeful yet unpretentious.

It’s his self-effacing manner that might surprise someone to learn of his past struggles. Like many others in our community, he is on the road toward recovery.

CERRC helped Greg overcome the challenges he faced. September 2022.

And now, his matter-of-fact openness with his past struggles denies the opportunity for stigma to step in. He shares his past with humility and earnestness that demands one’s absolute attention.

Greg grew up the fourth of five children in what he describes as a typical suburban family in Sacramento. It was not until he was older that he realized his mother was an alcoholic, and his father, consumed by his work, rarely had time for Greg. After his parents divorced, he always yearned for a close relationship with his father—something he carried into adulthood.

After a devasting rollover car accident, Greg was prescribed painkiller medication to help with his excruciating pain.

“I ended up addicted to heavy doses of opioid pain medications for twelve years,” Greg recalled. “It wasn’t until later that I was able to stabilize my chronic pain and get myself off the medications.”

And after a brutal divorce from his first wife, Greg again found himself turning to substances for comfort.

“I masked and escaped my past so hard that I became addicted to meth at 55 years old,” Greg said. “I was absolutely alone and, in the darkness, fighting with my demons.”

Fortunately, Greg found support from his faith and his family.

“One of my favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11:

‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plan to give you a hope and a future.’

So, I reached out to my brother and found my first sober living home in Phoenix,” Greg said. “I stayed there six months, then helped my brother open his first sober living home in San Diego.”

Shortly thereafter, he returned to Sacramento. He got connected with the recovery community in Sacramento, and things were looking up for Greg. 

“I got involved in my new fiancé’s respiratory services business, and we grew it into a profitable business,” Greg said. “All was good until the dreaded COVID hit.”

Not only did Greg have to find other ways to make enough money to survive, but many of his recovery meetings also shut down entirely, cutting him off from his network of support.

“I went on a long, lonely, and dark relapse,” Greg said.

Recovery is a journey, not a destination. And though he’s been on this road before and stumbled along the way, Greg keeps pushing forward. This drive led him back to San Diego again, looking for a fresh start.

His brother-in-law connected him to ECS’ Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC), an intensive, outpatient substance use disorder program in City Heights.

“When I returned to San Diego, I aspired to get into a recovery program, build a recovery plan, and work it,” Greg recalled. “I needed a sponsoring agency that could support me, and CERRC was that program.”

But those early days of recovery were challenging for Greg.

“I was trying to heal mentally and physically,” Greg said. “It took me 90 days until things were fleshed out. It was then that I was doing the recovery—and not out of obligation. I looked forward to every day.”

Greg credits his experience with CERRC for helping him on the path toward recovery.

“CERRC took me to the next level,” Greg said. “They gave me a relapse plan and helped me build my goals. They were calming and reassuring, and you don’t get that all the time.”

Greg and CERRC Counselor Summer. September 2022.

On top of that, working with his counselor, Summer, proved to be the difference for Greg in those early days.

“I needed regular meetings and structure,” Greg said. “Working with Summer helped me stay in recovery. She gave me the structure I needed. It helped me be less anxious. It helped me to slow down and take the time in the process.”

Now, Greg has so much to look forward to. He celebrated 11 months of not using substances. Still, he’s keeping his feet firmly on the ground and attending a weekly group session at CERRC.

“This is a mile marker along the way,” Greg said about his recovery journey. “The next phase is working with my wife and repairing that relationship. I’m being patient. That’s what’s different this time.”

Because of your support, Greg is thriving on the road to recovery.

“I look back; it makes me grateful that there are people out there supporting this program,” Greg said. “I know I’m in the right place and in the right program at ECS to build my recovery. I feel like I’m on the right path right now. God keeps opening doors for me daily, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”

Watch Greg share the impact CERRC had on him.