From Partying to Chaos

Lisa’s life initially seemed carefree—she and her husband rode motorcycles and enjoyed weekend parties with friends. Over time, she experimented with various substances, including prescription stimulants.

“Somewhere along the line, I crossed into a dangerous place,” she recalled. “I’d been addicted to everything I touched, but alcohol stuck around the longest.”

Lisa entered rehab twice but never fully embraced the lessons.

“I thought I could handle it,” she said, “like it wasn’t going to get any worse.”

A Night That Changed Everything

After 10 months of sobriety, Lisa got into a fight with her husband. Fueled by anger, she drove to a liquor store.

“I told myself I was going to make him pay for this,” she said. In a matter of hours, she was blackout drunk and violent. “I threatened my husband with a tool from the fireplace,” she said, voice trembling. “Our 17-year-old son tackled me to protect his dad, and I pulled his hair.”

When the police arrived, Lisa was suicidal. She was charged with multiple offenses, including domestic assault with a deadly weapon.

“I remember waking up the next morning in jail, realizing my whole life had just changed,” she said.

The Best Worst Thing

Court orders led Lisa to Swift River. There, she discovered a deeper sense of purpose and surrendered to the idea that she needed help.

“Walking around that little pond, I had what they call a spiritual awakening,” she said. She tackled outdoor challenges she had once dismissed, like rock climbing, and found new confidence. “Those activities showed me I could do things I never thought possible.”

Lisa’s felony probation kept her accountable, and she immersed herself in AA meetings.

“Now, I genuinely love being sober,” she said. “I’ve never been happier, and I’m actually okay with what happened because it saved my life.”

Get Help Today

If you or someone you know has reached a crisis point with addiction, call Swift River at 888-451-5895. Tucked away in the scenic landscape of Western Massachusetts, Swift River offers comprehensive treatment, life-changing activities and a supportive community ready to help you find hope.