A Family's Journey from Crisis to Stability – Part 1

In this episode, Archway’s CEO Michelle Lennon, one of the co-authors of the Family Threads Curriculum, speaks with a family who successfully completed the program. Marina and Star share their journey from experiencing homelessness and active addiction to finding stability and hope. They discuss how peer recovery support and family support services helped them build a new life for themselves and their young son. This episode is a testament to the power of human connection, nonjudgmental support, and the unwavering resolve of families to create a better future.

Key Takeaways

00:00 - Intro

01:30 - Seeking Support The family decided to join the Family Threads program out of a desperate need for resources after a period of active addiction, despite initial reluctance to ask for help.

02:15 - Post-Treatment Challenges After leaving their treatment program, the family realized they lacked the tools needed to continue their recovery and had to find housing and a vehicle on their own to prepare for their baby's arrival.

03:21 - The Leap of Faith The family completed program assessments that felt invasive, but they realized they had to take a "leap of faith" and be vulnerable in order to move forward.

06:32 - Perseverance Pays Off They endured the stressful process of submitting over 200 housing applications and receiving 12 rejections before finally securing a place to live, highlighting the importance of perseverance.

09:38 - The Power of Peer Support Having a peer recovery support worker was critical in helping them manage stress and stay on track, as their coaches provided emotional validation and treated them with humanity.

13:11 - Recovering Together The couple chose to enter recovery as a team, strengthening their relationship by supporting each other through their individual struggles despite receiving pushback from others.

17:04 - Breaking Generational Cycles Having grown up in chaotic homes, they made a conscious decision to create a peaceful environment for their son by communicating openly instead of arguing.

21:13 - Ongoing Support Recovery support workers provide the vital, long-term help needed to cope with real-life challenges and focus on personal healing and growth.

This episode offers a powerful and honest look at the realities of long-term recovery. Marina and Star’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't just about abstaining from substances — it's about building a new life and healing from past trauma. It's about setting new goals, creating a safe family environment, and having a support system that sees you as a whole person, not just an addiction. Their journey from crisis to stability shows that with genuine support and unwavering effort, a family can change the trajectory of their lives and create a beautiful, sober future for themselves and their child.