Living Recovery Stories

Recovery stories spark hope that can give people the courage to take their first steps on their recovery journey. We would love to post your story, too! Please see these Guidelines for story submission to King County and submit this entry form. We are grateful to the authors for sharing their stories. The federal website for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Acceptance, Dignity, and Social Inclusion also posts recovery stories. Go to: http://promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/publications/mystory/ You are sure to find a story that will further spark your own recovery.

New (Alice's Story): “Recovery looks different to me from depressed, delusional, or manic states. As years go by there is more connective material between the states. Love can cut through any of them to some degree. When someone is treating me lovingly or I do the same with someone it lifts me above the chaos.” Read her story

"Once upon a thousand times.....There was a little girl, born one of four girls and two boys. In a big house full of sound, it seemed to go unnoticed that it was the little girl who had a hand in much of it, and likely the cause of any trouble." Read her story

"My name is Julie. I am not bitter about my illness. I call it a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it has taught me so much about life and a curse because it has caused so much pain..." Read her story

"My name is Deborah and I have suffered from depression, alcoholism, cocaine addiction, homelessness and domestic violence. I never ever thought I could ever overcome these barriers in my life. Then one day…" Read her story

"My name is Betha. I have a mental illness which includes social phobia issues. l spent years struggling with diagnoses, doctors and meds. I knew that I was sick but didn’t think there was any way around it." Read her story.

"My name is Naomi and I have been in recovery from bipolar for almost twenty years. Here is my story and a few things I've learned along the way." Read her story.

"I'm "Sticks" and I am a recovering addict in my 14th year in recovery and would like to share with you my experience, strength and hope for my recovery from addiction as well as for mental illness. [...]" Read the rest of the story

Click here for an article about the power of recovery stories. If you are interested in sharing your story, contact us at kcrecoverypage@kingcounty.gov.