This month, clients and staff from the Turnbridge Women’s Program took a trip to The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum for a day of climbing and zip-lining. The Adventure Park boasts 11 tree-top trails consisting of 180 platforms.

“I’ve never done anything like it before.” said Jennifer, a Women’s Program client. “I didn’t know I could have that much fun sober.”

“I broke through a fear of heights while zip lining,” said Cindy, a Women’s Program Support Staff member. “It was exhilarating.”

For many young people just entering recovery, the idea of experiencing joy without the use of drugs and alcohol can seem incomprehensible. The recreational activities at Turnbridge are designed to instill hope in our young clients that you can have a good time without the use of substances. New experiences foster the notion that change is a good thing.

The Women’s Program has a variety of other exciting events coming up, including trips to the beach at Hamonassett State Park, Six Flags New England, and Brownstone Water Park.

Born in Detroit, Greg and his family moved around a lot when he was a child.

They lived in Mexico, West Virginia, Singapore, New York, and then ultimately landed in Baltimore where Greg spent the majority of his childhood.

Greg recalls that before he even began using substances he had a preoccupation with seeking the approval of others, which ultimately led him astray. In 9th grade, Greg was introduced to marijuana by some older kids. “I remember feeling 'a-part-of', because that’s what I though the cool kids did,” said Greg, “I always hung out with older guys due to involvement in sports. I eventually started drinking during freshman year of high school. The only reason my life stayed intact at the time was because of the support I had around me, my parents, teachers, and coaches.”

Greg would go on to be accepted into the University of North Carolina on a lacrosse scholarship. When he went off to college, Greg’s substance use began to escalate. By sophomore year, Greg had developed an opiate dependence. “I remember at the college level I wasn’t in the lacrosse spotlight anymore and it made me feel uncomfortable,” said Greg. “So, in my mind, pledging a fraternity to get to the top of the social latter was my best option. Partying, lacrosse, and academics in that order.”

“Drugs were preventing me from succeeding,” said Greg. “At the time, I thought that the location I was in was my issue, not the drugs, so I moved to San Diego. People were starting to see through my charade, but I still didn’t think I had a problem. I always wanted to party, but everyone around me was able to put it down and go to work. My addiction completely owned me by this point.”

Greg’s family eventually held an intervention for him. “I heard my mother cry and I was forced to listen to what my brothers and everyone were saying,” said Greg. “I realized I was hurting the people around me and doing things I normally wouldn’t do. I had hit my bottom.”

“I came to Turnbridge with an open mind,” said Greg. “I followed directions. The staff and the other clients that follow you on your journey are priceless supports. I learned that I wasn’t the only drug addict out in the world. The fellowship and camaraderie helped immensely. There were times that I had such bad cravings for drugs and alcohol, but I had this safety net around me.”

“I have a program for sobriety set in place today and I also have a program that is helping me live life and Turnbridge is allowing me to do all of it in a safe space,” said Greg. “I eased back into everything. I got to look for a job, I got to go to the gym, but I struggled with it at first. Before treatment, I had a big boy job with a company credit card and now they wanted me to start with a minimum wage job. It was completely humbling and through the process I came to the realization that my ego was one of biggest problems.”

“I have all the resources Turnbridge has to offer and all I have to do is ask for help when I’m struggling,” said Greg. “I have a Case Manager, friends that I live with, and other staff to bounce ideas off of and to share struggles with and ask for advice.”

Growing up, Matt moved around a lot. His father was in the military and his mother was a teacher.

In 2001 his father was deployed for a year and his mother fell ill. Shortly after, Matt recalls he began having this perpetual feeling of impending doom. “I didn’t know what it was then,” said Matt. “But, apparently it was real-deal crippling anxiety.”

“I started acting out in school and was diagnosed with ADHD,” said Matt. “I was prescribed medication for my ADHD but that just made it worse. From an early age, I learned that if you have an issue there is a pill you can take to get rid of that issue. Pills are what people use to fix problems.”

Eventually, Matt’s mother got well and his father returned from deployment, but his feelings of anxiety did not go away. “I used to pull my hair out and stress eat to get rid of emotions and feelings.”

“In high school, after moving to Alabama, I began going to parties and drinking,” said Matt. “There was a big party culture. When I would binge drink all my anxiety would go away. I was social, had a girlfriend, and many positives came from it at that time.”



Matt’s substance use eventually progressed to other substances. “I enjoyed speed and started abusing the ADHD medication I was prescribed,” said Matt. “I started looking into pharmaceuticals, including opiates, benzodiazepines, and anything else I could use. I developed the mindset of speed during the day, opiates at night, and drinking on the weekends.”

Matt went on to attend the University of Alabama, but his drug habit followed him there. “I was switching doctors because they were catching on to me,” said Matt. “The first time one of my doctors called me out I immediately left and I looked for another doctor.” Matt eventually started buying drugs online in order to keep up with his habit and stave off withdrawal symptoms.

“When I was sophomore in college my brother was diagnosed with cancer, my grandmother passed away, and I just sedated myself,” said Matt. “Eventually my brother passed away and it put me into complete shock. I would cry in my bed for hours because I didn’t go through the grief. Everyone thought I was just grieving and my behavior was normal. I had to hide everything.”

Despite what Matt was going through in his personal life, he managed to be accepted into graduate school at Auburn University. Shortly after, Matt suffered a drug overdose and his family was forced to face the reality of his situation. They learned of Turnbridge through the parents of another Turnbridge client. Matt was presented with the option to go to Turnbridge and he agreed to accept the help.

“Turnbridge was great,” said Matt. “When I first got to Phase 1 I didn’t have to worry about my life on the outside for a while. I could shut the production part of my brain off for once.”

“I had a life to live but I was not capable of living it in a healthy way,” said Matt. “Turnbridge helped me out so much.”

“While at Turnbridge, I got a job working at a local restaurant and I eventually earned the position of Phase 3 House Manager,” said Matt. “I always love taking the other guys to twelve step meetings. Because of Turnbridge, I eventually decided to stay in the New Haven area and attend college there.

“I can develop healthy relationships now and work on my anxiety,” said Matt. “I am not only just as productive as I used to be, but I am fully present.”