Jacqueline’s Story: Quiet Roads to Recovery

"I finally feel like I’m living, not just surviving."

I grew up in New York, and for a long time, I felt like I was drowning in the noise and pressure. I wasn’t introduced to drugs through doctors or prescriptions—it was through my job. I worked in the restaurant industry, and late nights, long shifts, and constant stress made it easy to fall into the culture of drinking and using. At first, it was just a way to keep up with the pace, to stay awake, to fit in with coworkers.

But over time, I relied on it more than I realized. My creativity and drive faded, and I stopped caring about the things that once mattered to me. I burned bridges with friends, lost jobs, and felt trapped in a cycle that seemed normal in the city but was destroying me inside.

By my late twenties, I knew I couldn’t keep living that way. I decided to leave New York and move to Vermont. It wasn’t an easy choice—I was terrified of slowing down, of facing myself without the distractions of the city. But Vermont gave me something New York never could: quiet. Space. A chance to breathe.

In Vermont, I entered a recovery program that focused not just on detox but on rebuilding a life. I learned how to hike, garden, and connect with nature—things I never thought I’d enjoy. I also found a small community of people who understood what I was going through.

Now, I’ve been living in recovery for six years. I work at a local co-op, write essays about my journey, and mentor others who are trying to break free from the same cycle. Moving from New York to Vermont didn’t just change my environment—it changed my perspective. I finally feel like I’m living, not just surviving.