National Recovery Month gives us all another opportunity to shine a light on the power of recovery and the people whose lives are transformed by it. Few stories illustrate that journey better than Vernon Crayton’s. As an alumni of The Healing Place and a former Recovery Resident, Vernon not only built a life in long-term recovery but also went on to work at CARITAS, using his lived experience to guide others on their path, leaving a massive impact here in his way.
A Turning Point
For Crayton, the road to recovery began with a moment that cut through years of pain and struggle. Upon entering our doors in August 2020, his initial plan upon release was to return to use. That was, until he read a particularly impactful quote from the recovery literature. The words hit him with a force he hadn’t expected:
“..it is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing.”
As he read, something shifted. “The words left the page,” Crayton recalled. “That was the moment everything changed.” That choice – to stop running and accept support – was the first step toward a life he never imagined possible.
A Foundation for Recovery
After participating in over 21 long-term treatment centers, Crayton’s time at The Healing Place and later in the CARITAS Recovery Residences became the foundation for change. The structure of the programs, the daily rigorous accountability, and the encouragement of peers gave him more than recovery – it gave him hope.
“They taught me to take pain and make it into purpose,” Crayton said. “I learned how to believe in myself again, how to forgive myself and others. When I was selected into the Peer Mentor’s Office, I learned I can use my lived experience to help others.”
Challenges and Resilience
Recovery is not without its hurdles. Like many in early recovery, Vernon faced doubts, stigmas, and the hard work of rebuilding trust. “I struggled with believing in myself,” he admitted. “There were days I thought I couldn’t do it. But these people watched me grow up – my first car, earning my degree. That community is what carried me through.”
Giving Back Through Lived Experience
When Crayton graduated from the program, he didn’t walk away – he stayed. He returned to CARITAS as a staff member, turning his lived experience into a source of support for others. When asked how that experience shapes his work, Crayton was briefly at a loss for words, overcome with emotion.
“All I can really express is gratitude,” he said after a pause. “I get up every day with purpose, and I look forward to coming into work. When I tell someone, ‘I’ve been there,’ they know it’s the truth.”
He also speaks with an honest compassion that resonates with many of the residents: “Sometimes I tell people, ‘I leave my personal stuff in my car – I can always pick it back up after work.’ But if you want to try, walk with me.” His words – both candid and inviting – cut through stigma and isolation, offering a real, human connection that makes recovery feel possible.
The Meaning of Recovery Month
For Crayton, his gratitude for National Recovery Month is more than “words can describe” – it’s a reminder of the reality and possibility of recovery. “Recovery Month is about honesty, hope, and courage,” he explained. “If you take the 12 principles and live them, change is always possible.”
Advice for Someone Struggling
Asked what he would say to someone who is still struggling, Crayton offered words of encouragement rooted in his own lived truth:
“I just listen. I pause, and really listen. I tell them, ‘We can always go back to the problem, but for now, why won’t you walk with me?’”
Today, Crayton’s journey continues to have a ripple effect of inspiration to the CARITAS community. From resident to alumni to staff member, he represents the heart of what recovery stands for: transformation, resilience, and the power of community. This Recovery Month, we celebrate not just Vernon’s story but countless others like his – stories that prove recovery is not only possible, but worth fighting for.