Recovery Stories

 

The Mental Health Center of Denver has helped me a lot, in more ways than I can imagine.

– Joe Romero   

  

From Homeless to Homeowner

Today Marika and her husband dream about retiring to a small place in the mountains. Her face beams when she talks about the future. But her voice quivers when she talks about the future she never thought possible.

“I used to wander the streets wondering where I was going to eat, wondering where I would sleep or whether I was even going to survive the day,“ she said. As a rebellious teenager growing up in an upper middle class family, Marika left home when her parents divorced, which led to drug addiction and more than 12 years of homelessness.

When she went for help, she was told she was bipolar and there was no hope for her. Psychotic breakdowns and hospitalizations became a way of life.

After a move to Denver, Marika found the hope she needed at Mental Health Center of Denver. “It is such a unique place. They don’t put you in a box. They believe in recovery and recovery is individual there,” said Marika, who views her recovery as continual daily growth. “You walk in the door, they ask you what you want for your life and they put you on the path you need to be on. The Mental Health Center of Denver is a main factor in my life and my recovery.”

Marika wanted to work. She enrolled in the Mental Health Center of Denver’s 2Succeed in Education and Employment program and started training for a job and learning the life and social skills she says she needed but didn’t have. After landing a job, she excelled and was soon promoted. She got married and she and her husband concentrated on building a life together. Just this year, they bought their dream home—all on their own—and adopted a rescue puppy. Marika was recently named most valued team player at work because she’s always there with a smile, pitches in when needed and loves going to work.

Marika’s rare, joyous spirit shines through when she talks about her life now. Faith, hope, her husband and the Mental Health Center of Denver are the players in her continued success. She keeps appointments every three months to check in and get any support she needs.

“Ten years ago I never imagined that I’d be where I am today. I am loving life now and it’s not hard to imagine the future anymore,”

Richard's Story

Richard B. was a married college graduate, working as a manager of a successful company. However his lifelong struggles with drinking and symptoms of bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorder eventually led to the loss of his job, marriage and home.
 
Homeless and afraid to ask for help, Richard ended up in the hospital because of thoughts of suicide. He was referred to the Mental Health Center of Denver and given a case manager on the High Intensity Treatment Team. Richard moved into one of our group homes where he received support from our residential staff and realized he was not alone in his struggles.
 
With the help of his case manager and treatment team, Richard applied for and received social security benefits and eventually moved into his own apartment. He met with his psychiatrist regularly and started going to substance abuse support groups. Richard learned about ways to cope with his symptoms.
 
He also met with a primary care physician at one of our clinics to learn how to manage his physical health needs. Now, Richard has his driver’s license and bought a car. He volunteers weekly and has a job. He has a support network with his treatment team at the Mental Health Center of Denver and also outside of the program.
 
Richard now has long periods of sobriety and feels that his symptoms rarely interfere with his life. He has reconnected with some family and feels hopeful about the future.
  

Recovery stories at Mental Health Center of Denver
 

Joe's Story

For many years I denied my addiction to rock cocaine, only fooling myself into believing that I could handle my problem. I lied, manipulated and conned my friends, and began selling whatever I could to support my drug addiction. My addiction peaked when I lost my home, my job and my car. I became homeless and stayed that way for almost 15 years. At first, I moved from one friend’s place to another, until no one wanted anything to do with me. 

It was at this point—with no friends and no support system—that I hit rock bottom and realized that I was an addict. I went to the Denver Rescue Mission for an overnight bed and entered the New Life Program. It was like being reborn— the beginning of my recovery. Around the same time, I began going to the Stout Street Clinic for medical treatment. A physician at the clinic referred me to a psychiatrist, who ultimately diagnosed me with bipolar disorder and prescribed me proper medication. 

I continued to stay at the Denver Rescue Mission for three years while completing my college education, earning a degree in sociology. I was the first resident from the Denver Rescue Mission to receive a four-year degree. I was very proud. Earning my degree would not have been possible without a program called Recovery Connections that I discovered through the Mental Health Center of Denver. The program was for people like me who were homeless, recovering drug addicts looking for employment. 

I felt completely comfortable with Recovery Connections counselor Greg Gonzales. He helped me identify my strengths and develop a plan for recovery that was centered around them. I took a computer class in Microsoft Word which led to more classes, and eventually, my enrollment in Metropolitan State College, where I finally earned my degree in May of 2000. The Mental Health Center of Denver has helped me a lot, in more ways than I can imagine. It has given me a place to maintain. 

Joe now works with the Mental Health Center of Denver as a peer mentor, helping other recovering addicts and homeless people realize their dreams and succeed in recovery.