Addiction Stops Here
Success Stories
Jon Aulenbach
Jon’s Journey to Recovery at Swift River
Decades of Struggle
At 58, Jon Aulenbach has experienced more lives than most people could imagine. His journey through addiction spanned five decades, beginning with IV drug use at 15 and culminating in 30 years of severe alcoholism. Today, he stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and the comprehensive care provided at Swift River.
A Near-Death Experience and Substituted Addiction
“I decided to fight back against addiction after 30 years of severe alcoholism,” Jon reflects. “Before that, it was 20 years of IV drug use.”
His rock bottom came early in his addiction when he overdosed and had a near-death experience.
“I actually died and went to the other side,” he recalls. “I was on my way to hell and I just screamed for my soul. I said ‘God, please forgive me,’ and boom, the next thing I knew, I was back in my body.”
That experience led him to quit IV drugs, but the underlying trauma remained unaddressed.
“Instead of dealing with the pain and trauma of my younger years, I just picked up the bottle and substituted it,” Jon explains. For the next three decades, alcohol became his coping mechanism.
Finding Swift River After 20 Failed Attempts
Jon’s path to Swift River wasn’t immediate.
“I had tried probably 20 other detox units around the country and mental hospitals before I hit Swift River.” When he first arrived in 2017, he found something different. “It was the best place I’ve ever been to by far. You had the freedom of going in and out. You weren’t locked in a room. The staff especially cared about you.”
Recovery wasn’t linear for Jon. Between 2017 and 2024, he returned to Swift River multiple times.
“Everybody knows that relapse is part of getting there,” he says. “Each time I went, I got to practice being sober because I had never been sober my entire life.”
With each return, his sobriety periods lengthened and his relapses grew shorter.
“Every time I needed help, all I had to do was pick up the phone and say ‘send the van,'” Jon remembers. “They would know me and they would send the van. They treat you like family.”
A Battle With Cancer and Divine Intervention
In 2024, Jon faced another battle when doctors discovered liver cancer and scheduled him for both radiation and a liver transplant. After receiving radiation treatment, he had a dream where his higher power told him not to get the transplant. Despite his medical team’s concerns, Jon followed his spiritual guidance.
“The next day after I came back from cancelling the transplant, I went to see my radiation cancer specialist, and sure enough, the cancer was all gone.”
Life in Recovery: A Complete Transformation
Today, Jon celebrates over a year of sobriety. The transformation extends beyond just putting down the bottle.
“The hardest part is learning to live with myself sober. I’ve never been sober my entire life,” he admits. “But one night I prayed and asked for Him to remove the obsession, and boom, that night it was gone. I drive by liquor stores now and it doesn’t bother me.”
Jon’s perspective on life has fundamentally shifted.
“I’ve always tried to be a good person, but now I’m trying to be a much better person. I go to bed clean every night without that movie going in my head of guilt, shame, and remorse.”
Reflecting on his journey, Jon emphasizes the role Swift River played in his recovery.
“I couldn’t have done it without Swift River. Life now is just so easy. I’m playing my guitar and doing whatever God tells me to do. I couldn’t be happier.”
