Ed Hobson graduated from addiction treatment at The Recovery Village Umatilla. In a recent interview, he shared his recovery story, hoping to inspire others to seek the help they need: 

When did you realize you wanted to get treatment?

“I realized I needed treatment when all of my loved ones made it clear to me how painful it was for them to watch me destroy myself.”

Why did you (or your loved one) choose our treatment center?

“I found TRV through a nurse at a detox in Connecticut.” 

What part of your treatment was the most helpful?

“My one-on-one therapist was a fellow musician and the first person to address musician-specific mental health issues I was experiencing. Beyond that, the 12-step meetings made available in-house to us every night helped me build the infrastructure for a successful strategy for sobriety post-discharge.

Who made the biggest difference in your recovery journey?

“The entire team at TRV, along with my sponsor.”

How has your life changed after getting treatment at our center?

“There is no way to exaggerate the scope of how dramatically my life has changed since receiving treatment at TRV. I live a life free from the cold shackles of addiction in a way that was desperately unimaginable prior to my being introduced to this new way of life. At TRV, I was given tools I could use to manage the issues I used to fruitlessly try to bury in drugs and alcohol.” 

How would you encourage someone else who needs treatment?

“I would tell them my story and hope they would be able to see how recovery has brought me from the brink of death to a fulfilling and healthy life. I would tell them how much easier their life will be when they are free from all the stress and worry that lives within the seemingly eternal slavery of addiction.”