This month, a group of clients from Phase III of the Turnbridge Women’s Program, drove up to the TD Garden in Boston for a Boston Bruins hockey game. Professional sporting events are a favorite of Turnbridge clients. Such events are bonding experiences that foster a sense of community and strengthen relationships and trust among those that attend together.

“The Bruins game was awesome,” said Genna P., a client who attended. “It’s awesome that Turnbridge brings us to events like this. It is nice to get a fun night out with the people I am sharing this journey with.”

“The best part about working at Turnbridge is witnessing the excitement in the eyes of our clients during recreational events,” said Brittany Trotta, Director of Recreation at Turnbridge. “I don’t have the opportunity to attend each and every event, but the stories I get to hear about the laughter, joy, and shared experience are incredible. It is awesome to see clients coming to me to say ‘let’s do it again!’. The events we do here at Turnbridge show our clients that fun is possible while sober.”

Kelley grew up in a smaller town in Pennsylvania.

In middle school and high school, she was on the track team, swim team, was an exceptional student, and a rabid Philadelphia Eagles fan. However, like many, she was exposed to substances at a young age and her use quickly progressed, ultimately developing into a full-blown addiction.

“I started drinking when I was pretty young,” recalled Kelley. “I started smoking weed when I was in middle school and gradually started doing harder drugs like cocaine early into high school. The progression was fast.”

Kelley was in her first residential treatment by the time she was 15 year old. “After treatment, I stayed clean and went to meetings, but thought because I was young it was just a phase and I could be normal again,” said Kelley. “I started drinking again and the progression went very fast that time. I was able to stop after a while and I started going to meetings again and managed to stay clean for 18 months. But, I got into a relationship and eventually got high again.”

Kelley’s progression led her to opiates this time. “Things got bad very fast,” said Kelley. “Eventually I got to the point where I had just five dollars to my name, I was in withdrawals, and I called my Mom for help. I went to detox and stayed for a week, insisting with my Mom that I knew what to do to stay sober after detox and didn’t need further treatment. Eventually I started getting high again.”

The next several years would see Kelley’s addiction continue to worsen. She continued to try unsuccessfully to manage her addiction with outpatient treatment. Eventually, she suffered a serious overdose and had to be revived with Narcan.


Kelley’s therapist intervened at this point and insisted she attend long-term care at Turnbridge. After a long and difficult detox, Kelley finally made it up to New Haven.

“When I got up to New Haven, the first three weeks were very hard,” said Kelley. “I was hell-bent on getting back to my job that was being held for me in Pennsylvania. I was convinced I didn’t need friends. At one point, I walked off the property. However, I quickly realized that I had no better option and decided to stay. I came to the realization that I was torturing my mother with how I was acting. I realized going home so soon would be hard for me. I didn’t want to give my mother sleepless nights anymore. I decided to put in my resignation for work and began making the best of my time at Turnbridge.”

“Parker, my therapist, is amazing,” said Kelley. “All of the staff worked hard to help me in those first couple weeks. When I got here, the moment I got here, everyone was so nice. They got me clothes, they walked with me, they talked with me, they let me be upset, and they went above and beyond to support all of us.”
Today, Kelley has a job in downtown New Haven. She frequently makes appearances at the Phase I and II Women’s Residence to offer a hand in helping the new women arriving at Turnbridge. She is active in the local twelve step recovery community and holds several commitments.

“I can cry, laugh, and grow with the girls that I am here with now,” said Kelley. “We support each other every day.”

Chris was adopted at birth and grew up in Pennsylvania with a loving family.

He was an outgoing child with a great love for soccer and a lot of natural leadership qualities.

However, Chris’ childhood was not without difficulty. At a young age, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. “I was always prescribed a lot of medication to help with my learning disabilities,” recalled Chris. “Also, my parents got divorced when I was in 8th grade. I remember starting to feel like I was not good enough. That’s when I started smoking marijuana. I instantly felt it was for me. It got me out of my own head and it was an alternative to drinking, which I didn’t like.”

By Chris’ sophomore year in high school, his substance use had progressed significantly. “My disease progressed with LSD, benzodiazepines, and oxycodone,” said Chris. “My friends stopped using and I kept going because I always felt it was the thing for me. It helped me.”

Shortly after enrolling in college, Chris’ substance use started to bear significant, undeniable consequences. “My dorm room got raided and I was asked to leave the school,” said Chris. “After that, my friends wouldn’t hang out with me. I was alone in my car getting high constantly.”

Chris finally decided he had enough and reached out for help. “I went to my therapist and asked for some help and he recommended Turnbridge,” said Chris. “At first, in Phase I, I really struggled. I was constantly questioned whether I needed to be at Turnbridge.”

Despite himself, Chris stayed the course and progressed into the next Phase. “By the time I had progressed into the next Phase and had gotten more connected in the community I realized this process was helping me immensely,” said Chris. “At first, I thought the staff had no idea what I was going through. I realized later on that I was completely wrong.”



Chris has since completed the Turnbridge program and now lives in New Haven, CT. He has maintained his connection to the Turnbridge community as a member of the Turnbridge indoor soccer team and was just recently hired as a Turnbridge Support Staff member. “I am active in the recovery community, I stay involved, and I often take Turnbridge guys to meetings.” said Chris. “Showing them that you can have fun sober, and laugh and grow is crucial in early recovery. If you keep pushing through in those early stages and listen to those around you trying to help you, it gets easier.”

“Before I came to Turnbridge, I burned a lot of bridges,” said Chris. “My family and I have a great relationship now. I talk to my Mom every day. It’s one of the best gifts I have ever had.”