Hannah Turns Recovery Into Purpose
鈥淛ust because you鈥檝e hit bottom, doesn鈥檛 mean you have to stay there.鈥�
September is National Recovery Month, a time for raising awareness, reducing stigma and celebrating the achievements of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders and mental health challenges.
At the age of 15, Hannah Butler began a tumultuous journey with using substances, one that lasted for 10 years and would ultimately lead her to a turning point in her life. Her primary vices were alcohol and opiates, and she found herself at a harrowing low point.
鈥淚 was at that rock bottom level where I would have betrayed my friends and my family to get what I needed,鈥� Hannah explained. 鈥淚t was at the point where getting my next pill was more important than getting food.鈥�
Recognizing the severity of her situation, Hannah鈥檚 parents gave her an ultimatum: either seek treatment or face the consequences of being cut off. In 2018, after a series of unsuccessful attempts at rehabilitation, she took her first steps toward recovery at the BOB体育 Florida Recovery Center, or FRC.
鈥淚 told them that I would agree to come for 30 days and that鈥檚 it,鈥� Hannah recalled. 鈥淏ut by the time I had completed those 30 days, I didn鈥檛 want to leave because my life started to change for the better.鈥�
Hannah鈥檚 journey of recovery continued as she spent approximately five months in treatment at FRC. One of her most significant milestones during this period was overcoming the challenges of detox and withdrawal and collecting milestone chips, symbolic tokens of her progress.
鈥淗aving a supportive community around me and the ability to wake up each morning knowing I got through the day and night without using 鈥� there鈥檚 really nothing quite like that feeling,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淏y months three and four in treatment, I had formed strong bonds within this community and had a meaningful relationship with my therapist. I didn鈥檛 want to leave.鈥�
In 2020, Hannah returned to the Florida Recovery Center, but this time, her role had shifted. She was no longer a patient. Instead, she joined the center as an intake facilitator, extending a helping hand to those seeking assistance.
鈥淚 knew that I wanted to work here since I was discharged from treatment,鈥� Hannah added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my way of giving back, and I genuinely love what I do. Being able to connect with people in the same place where I once hit rock bottom has been incredibly rewarding. It鈥檚 been a true blessing to work here for the past couple of years.鈥�
Hannah found her new role to be a seamless fit, a place that 鈥渇eels like home鈥� thanks to her personal experience in recovery.
鈥淚 can relate to these patients because I鈥檝e walked in their shoes before, understanding exactly what they鈥檙e facing,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like second nature to me, almost like getting on a bike and effortlessly riding it. I feel like I speak a unique language with these individuals, so in a sense, it鈥檚 like my calling.鈥�
Tim Christensen, a call center manager at the Florida Recovery Center and Hannah鈥檚 supervisor, shares this sentiment. He recognizes that Hannah鈥檚 journey of personal recovery equips her with valuable qualities she can utilize at work.
鈥淗annah鈥檚 personal recovery journey brings valuable qualities to her role, including the ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks,鈥� Christensen said. 鈥淪tories like Hannah鈥檚 demonstrate that it鈥檚 possible to overcome mental health challenges and lead fulfilling lives, which can offer hope to those who may be struggling and show them that they鈥檙e not alone.鈥�
For those who may be grappling with their own battles, Hannah offers a piece of advice that embodies her own journey:
鈥淛ust because you鈥檝e hit bottom, doesn鈥檛 mean you have to stay there,鈥� she said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, don鈥檛 hesitate to take the first step toward recovery. Reach out to the BOB体育 Florida Recovery Center today and start your journey toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
