The Turnbridge Men’s Program’s indoor soccer team competes in a local New Haven-based league, and in the last couple of months our current roster has really come together and is competing at a high level. Though they are playing in a difficult league, and are very competitive, at the end of the day it’s about having fun sober.

Phase I Case Manager, Chris Nagle, takes the lead on and off the field in organizing the indoor soccer team for clients in all three Phases of the Men’s Program. As a staff member, Chris gets to see clients enjoy recovery through participation in team sports. “It is an added level of camaraderie, accountability, and discipline for the guys in a healthy and proactive way,” said Chris. “The stuff they learn in the program translates on to the soccer field. And likewise, what they learn on the field translates over to their recovery program and life overall.”

“It feels amazing to be back doing something I love and the feeling of being healthy and ready for the games,” said Phase III resident, Ricky D. “It is an amazing experience to be a part of a team with people who are going through the same thing as me.”

“I look forward to every game with the guys. We all have a great time, win or lose, it is all about having fun,” Chris said.

Born in Kenya, Shruti came to the United States at a young age.

Upon arrival to the U.S., Shruti moved in with family members, until her family located their own place to live.

Shruti, an intelligent young women, described how “school came very easy to her.” Shruti cruised through high school and went on to attend college, where she was, on all counts, successful. It was not until after college that Shruti began to experiment with drugs and alcohol.

When Shruti was 21, she told her father about the trauma that she experienced when she was younger. “It was difficult and it initially spiraled me out of control,” Shruti said. Shruti had not spoken about this to anyone since it had happened and was difficult for her to speak up.

“Everything was fine until I was 22 and was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and things started to spiral out of control,” said Shruti. “I was drinking at work, using cocaine to wake up in the morning, and was really out of control.”

Following a back injury, which required bed rest, “things got worse.” During this time of bed rest, Shruti stated she had a “moment of clarity” and wanted to go to substance abuse treatment. Shruti’s father, who has a background as an Addiction Specialist, quickly got on board.

Following completion of a 28-day program, Shruti was referred to the Turnbridge Women’s Program. She came to Turnbridge with an open mind and ready to make change. At the beginning of her stay, Shruti explains how she “didn’t know how to talk to people or who [her] audience was and how much the group therapy helped [her] through that.”

She excelled in the program, progressing through Phases 1 and 2, and is now a Phase 3 resident beginning to live a more independent lifestyle with more responsibility. “I love my case manager,” said Shruti. “She keeps me balanced and isn’t afraid to tell me I need to pull my socks up when I need to hear it.”

Shruti continues to make positive progress in the program, and has faced the usual bumps in the road in early recovery, but continues to move forward and work on herself. “I don’t go to extremes anymore,” said Shruti. “I am taking it easier and focusing on getting better.”

“I’ve made some very solid friends here who I feel comfortable around and be open about what I feel and don’t have to hide what I am feeling,” said Shruti. “Finding people that I don’t mind talking about myself with is one of the biggest improvements I have made in my life.”

Growing up, Scott’s mother frequently told him he had an “addictive personality” with just about everything he did.

“It started with over-eating, then video games, then cardio and running and so on,” recalls Scott. It was not until Scott was 15 years old that he experienced alcohol for the first time. “By the time I was 16, I drank at an alcoholic level. I was with my friends and we got drunk, but I needed to keep drinking and blackout.”

Scott’s performed well academically in his first two years of high school, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, but crashed in his final two years as a result of his alcohol abuse. Even after a rough junior and senior year, Scott still went on to attend a top university in Pennsylvania. His tenure was short-lived. “I couldn’t handle it,” said Scott. “It was too much.”

Scott began experimenting with other substances. He remembers smoking pot for the first time and thinking “it was exactly what I was searching for.”

“From weed, to psychedelics, to pain killers, to research chemicals, I would do anything and everything,” he said. “I was oblivious to the fact that I wasn’t normal.” Scott’s use lead to plenty of trouble. “Trouble with the cops, losing friends, being homeless, leaving school, everything was falling apart,” he said. “All of these things had one common denominator. Me being drunk.”

Scott’s family decided to come together to stage an intervention for him. During this intervention, members of his family broke down and begged him to get help. “Something pushed me over to say yes and go get help,” said Scott.

Scott enrolled in an inpatient program, followed up a transition to Turnbridge for continuing care. “When I got to Turnbridge, it just felt right,” said Scott. “Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and the place was just beautiful and comfortable. I could be myself and be surrounded by others who were trying to get better.”

“Turnbridge gave me an opportunity to build real relationships,” said Scott. “It was something I was missing my entire life. Nobody was trying to manipulate me and I wasn’t trying to use someone for something they had.”

Scott’s journey through Turnbridge, and as a recovering alcoholic, took tremendous amounts of work. “From the case managers and clinicians, to the sober network, to my peers, everything played a huge part in me succeeding,” he said. Turnbridge gave Scott plenty of time and structure to be able to make mistakes but bounce back in a healthy way, and start to see the results of being sober.

“Today I am able to do what I want to do; it’s because I am doing those things for the right reason. I am able to help others and not worry about receiving anything in return. I am doing it because it is the right thing.”

Upon Scott’s discharge from Turnbridge, he was offered a job as a Support Staff member. “It is the best job I have ever had, hands down,” said Scott. “I have never had a bad day working with the guys.” Scott has been promoted multiple times since his hire due to his hard work, dedication, and passion for helping others get better. “Everyone works as a team to help the clients because we have all been where they are, and we know it can be extremely difficult, but we offer a sense of hope and comfortability. The clients brighten my day. There is never a dull moment. They are all so creative and unique. They are what makes this place so amazing. I am extremely grateful for Turnbridge. They saved my life and gave me the opportunity to assist in saving others’ lives.”

“I went home for Thanksgiving this month and got to see everyone that pushed me into rehab and they were so happy to see me and grateful that I could participate and be a part of the family and actually be there,” said Scott.