ADDICTION STOPS HERE.
Recovery Stories.
Steffan's Story:
Finding Unconditional Love After Relapse at JourneyPure
A Life in Crisis
For Steffan W., walking through JourneyPure’s doors after a devastating relapse meant facing more than just his addiction – it meant confronting the shame of returning to treatment after nearly seven years of sobriety. What he found there was something unexpected: unconditional love that would help him rebuild his life.
“I’ve been sober for nearly seven years before my relapse,” Steffan shares, the pain of lost time evident in his voice. “And I found myself sitting in jail once again. And I can remember thinking, how in the world did I make it back?”
The loss he experienced through his relapse was total – not just material possessions, but something far more precious. “I lost everything. Materialistically, internally, my connection with God, my spiritual life. That was all gone,” he recalls. This complete devastation left him questioning whether recovery was possible again.
Arriving at JourneyPure straight from jail, Steffan faced the additional burden of being known to several staff members from before his relapse. “These guys seen me at my worst,” he shares. “I was embarrassed. I was shameful. I was ridden with guilt.”
But what happened next would transform his recovery journey. Instead of judgment, Steffan encountered profound acceptance and support. “The staff there showed me so much love and tolerance that I didn’t understand why they was loving me the way they did,” he reflects, still moved by the experience.
This unconditional acceptance proved challenging for Steffan to accept at first. “I remember thinking I was unworthy, that I was undeserving, that I didn’t feel like the things they were showing me I was worthy of,” he admits. Yet this very love and acceptance became the foundation for his renewed recovery.
A New Beginning
The approach taken by JourneyPure’s staff left a lasting impression on Steffan. “They’re very gentle with people when they come in, they know what it feels like to lose everything and they show so much tolerance towards me when they probably shouldn’t have,” he shares, his gratitude evident.
Today, Steffan’s recovery has given him something he never expected to find again – peace with himself and hope for the future. His experience demonstrates that relapse, while painful, doesn’t have to be the end of one’s recovery story.
For those who may have experienced relapse after long-term sobriety, Steffan’s journey offers hope that return to recovery is possible. His story shows that shame and guilt, while natural responses to relapse, don’t have to be permanent barriers to healing.
The Road to Recovery
“I’m eternally grateful for them,” Steffan says of the JourneyPure staff. “I don’t know where my life would be at today had I not made it to JourneyPure and them giving me the opportunity to recover in a kind, quiet place.”
His journey from long-term sobriety through relapse and back to recovery demonstrates the importance of compassionate, non-judgmental treatment in helping individuals rebuild their lives. The unconditional love and acceptance he found at JourneyPure proved crucial in overcoming the shame and guilt that often prevent people from seeking help after relapse.
A Message of Hope
If you or someone you love has experienced relapse, whether after months or years of sobriety, know that it’s not too late to start again. JourneyPure’s comprehensive treatment program offers understanding, acceptance, and professional support without judgment. Don’t let shame or guilt keep you from seeking the help you need. Call us at 615-410-9260 to begin your journey back to recovery. Like Steffan, you can discover that unconditional love and acceptance are powerful medicines for healing from relapse.
