March 5th, 2019 is the one year anniversary of the opening of Herren Wellness in Seekonk, MA! We are proud of our growth and accomplishments this first year, but what better way to celebrate our anniversary than with our former guests’ own words about what their life is like in recovery.
“Our accomplishments belong to our guests and families, our amazing team and the Herren family.”~ Lori McCarthy, Executive Director, Herren Wellness
“I arrived at Herren Wellness at Jacob Hill on Monday, March 5, 2018. It was Opening Day and I was the first person to sign up and attend what promised to be an innovative self-discovery program designed by the Owner, Chris Herren, to “Find Your Why” about the repetition of self-destructive behavior and addiction. When you find your ‘Why’, I was told, the promise of recovery would follow.
I had already been through five 28 day rehabilitation programs and hundreds of A.A. meetings and nothing had worked yet.
One month prior to my arrival at Herren Wellness, my husband and I were invited by my daughter Meghan to hear Chris Herren speak. A former high school and Boston Celtics basketball star, Chris had succumbed to the disease of addiction, and then found his ‘Why’ and became sober. He became a motivational speaker on substance use disorder, reaching out to teenagers and adults to seek help if they had a drug problem, as well as to families to find support through The Herren Project. My daughters Meghan and Caitlin had become Ambassadors for The Herren Project, raising money to fund scholarships for rehabilitation services and resources for family members.
I didn’t know why my daughters had chosen to become so involved with The Herren Project. After I heard Chris speak that night at the high school where Meghan taught, I knew that it was because of me.
I had singlehandedly broken down my family members; we had no semblance of a normal life and everyone was always angry at me for secretly drinking and hiding bottles. I was in strong denial and acted like I didn’t care. My health was rapidly deteriorating. I believe I lived one day short of certain death due to alcoholism, and I was walking a tightrope to slow suicide. My life was in shambles, and I finally opened my eyes to absorb it.
Chris had spoken such words of truth, nonjudgmentally, that I caught a glimmer of hope for a life that could still be, one without alcohol – a life of sobriety. I knew that this would be my last chance, and I took a leap of faith in Chris and a commitment to be honest with myself.
I spent the next six weeks at Herren Wellness journaling, exercising, attending positive motivational meetings, attending support meetings, building friendships with staff and house guests, doing yoga and Reiki, acupuncture, hiking, meditating, and searching for my ‘Why’. I searched deep within my soul for who I was, and who I was becoming, without the crutch of alcohol. I was finally setting up goals for who I wanted to be.
I left Herren Wellness in April 2018, after celebrating both Easter and my birthday with my new Herren family. All of the staff angels and guests are near and dear to my heart today.
I celebrated one year in recovery on February 7, 2018. I am happy and grateful to be given back the gift of a sober life.
I live one day at a time. I count my blessings and keep myself grounded through meetings, physical fitness, and service to others. I am an active member of Friends of Recovery, promoting community awareness of substance use disorder and ways in which we can lobby locally, and open doors of communication with our legislators for rehabilitation programs and sober houses.
I have trained to be a peer recovery counselor, and utilize these skills when opportunities present themselves, communicating with people in sober houses, homeless shelters, and Smart Recovery meetings.
Life is good. I have been gifted to have Chris Herren as a mentor and friend, and I am grateful that he was able to see through the smoke screen of my “perfect life”. I move forward with positivity and surround myself with good friends and the gift of my family’s love.
My Higher Power still has an agenda for me on this earth.”
~ Denise, Herren Wellness Alumn and Woman in Recovery
How Herren Wellness Can Help
We understand that early sobriety is a difficult time full of a range of emotions. We work with guests to create a whole-health action management plan, allowing them to discover and explore many opportunities in recovery. We help foster healthy habits and routines, including nutrition, fitness, sleep hygiene, creative exercises, mindfulness practices, and group activities that allow guests to reconnect with the things they love or discover new interests.
We work with guests to create a meaningful and sustainable aftercare plan that includes healthy habits and routines that are meaningful to them. When you come to Herren Wellness, you become part of a vibrant and thriving community that doesn’t end when your stay ends. You become part of the Herren Wellness family.
