When we first met Michael, a 51-year-old man struggling with daily alcohol and methamphetamine use, his health, relationships, and overall well-being were in tatters. He attempted to stay sober, but relapsed due to a lack of support and the negative influences around him.
The breaking point came in March 2024 when Michael’s family forbade him to attend his daughter’s high school graduation unless he got sober. This moment of truth sparked a deep sense of motivation. Michael wanted recovery, but the road ahead seemed uncertain.
Neighborhood got to work connecting Michael with the resources he needed. He was assigned a Harm Reduction Peer Support Specialist (PSS) who provided the guidance and encouragement to begin treatment. We then partnered with Neighborhood’s certified enrollment counselor who helped Michael switch his insurance to Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) so he could access services in Riverside County.
From there, Neighborhood’s team connected Michael with a 90-day residential treatment program. But just two months into the program, Michael suffered a stroke, which landed him in the hospital for an extended period.
Michael’s resilience never faltered. After his hospital stay, he was referred to Illumination Foundation in Riverside, a recuperative care facility. He decided to move to Perris, where a friend took him in to help him recover and regain his independence. With consistent support, Michael gradually regained his physical and mental strength. He started eating healthier, incorporated light exercise into his routine, and even began taking a weight-loss medication, which helped him shed more than 50 pounds. By May of 2024, Michael was sober, substance-free, and feeling better every day. Most importantly, he attended both of his daughters’ graduations that year—a moment he had longed for and worked so hard to achieve.
Today, Michael shares his story and good fortune with others seeking recovery as a certified peer support specialist. He is currently exploring scholarship opportunities with the Rising Scholars program to become a therapist, demonstrating just how far he’s come since the dark days of addiction. Michael’s transformation was made possible because of the comprehensive, patient-centered care that Neighborhood provides. Donor support helps extend essential services that support individuals like Michael—those who are determined to make a change but need guidance, resources, and support to do so.
Whether it’s connecting patients to treatment programs, helping them navigate healthcare systems, or providing ongoing counseling and peer support, donor support ensures that no one should face their journey alone. Together, we can help more people like Michael find hope, healing, and a future they can look forward to.