Dylan R.

House Manager since Jan. 2025, Resident since Sept. 2024

“We are not defined by our past

—we do recover.”

     My name is Dylan, and I’m in recovery from addiction and substance abuse that almost took my life. This is a significantly shortened rendition of my journey.

For nearly a quarter of my life, I was stuck in a cycle of incarceration, addiction, and hopelessness. What started as partying in my teens quickly spiraled into chaos, and before long, sobriety only existed behind bars. I rejected help. I embraced darkness. I was “too scared to die, too scared to live.” But two days before turning myself in, something shifted. I entered detox — and for the first time in years, I chose life.

Recovery wasn’t easy. Detox, treatment, and outpatient care gave me tools and clarity, but facing the real world was the hardest part. I knew I couldn’t do it alone. After treatment, I struggled to navigate life on life’s terms. I entered a previous sober living that didn’t quite feel like the right fit — but that step ultimately led me to something greater: Finding Hope Sober Livings.

From the moment I arrived, I knew I’d found home. Here, I was given a chance to grow, to lead, and to heal alongside a brotherhood of men walking the same path. I stepped into leadership. I learned how to show up for others. And I became living proof that people can and do recover.

Today, I’ve been sober for 14 months. I live with peace, purpose, and principles that guide me toward the man I was always meant to be. Because of this program, I have a future — and if you’re struggling, know this: there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t give up. We are not defined by our past—we do recover.