Meet Our Alumni
It is an honor and a privelage to witness and to be a part of our client’s recovery. Here is what some of our alumni have to say about their own journeys in recovery:
Zia Recovery Center is a shining example of what genuine service to alcoholics and addicts should look like and they have been an integral part of my recovery from addiction to alcohol and other substances.
I was welcomed into the Zia Recovery Program at a time when I was homeless and had burned all my bridges with my friends, family, and employers. I literally had no one left to turn to. Zia welcomed me with open arms and immediately ensured that all my immediate needs for food, shelter, medical support, transportation, and even clothing were attended to.
All the staff members were highly compassionate – you can tell that they genuinely care about their clients and are eager to provide support – and someone was available to me 24 hours a day 7 days a week even at 3:00 in the morning if I was having a rough night. Zia helped me redevelop a routine just to get back into the swing of living a normal life. Eating nutritious meals, exercising, practicing self-care and proper hygiene were things that I had not done properly in years – Zia helped me to redevelop these habits so that my life was more stable on a day-to-day basis.
The therapists and clinicians developed a treatment plan based on my life goals and helped me to reach those goals methodically. Sometimes I wanted the pace to go much faster, but through the professional guidance of the Zia staff I was often convinced to continue my treatment even when I thought I was prematurely ready to be discharged.
I remember it as one of the most difficult and most rewarding times of my life and have experienced moments that I did not think would be possible – some of those moments were arranged with the help of Zia’s staff members. I was able to mend my relationship with my mother and we have never been closer. I was also able to secure visitation with my daughter during my course of treatment. I have been able to go back to college, start a new healthy relationship, build and launch a business, and even got my drivers license back after 14 years of legal battles.
My sobriety date is December 21st, 2018 – so I am still young in sobriety, but the opportunities that I have been presented with are not things I would have thought possible the day that I walked into Zia Recovery Center.
Even many months after I have been discharged from the program, I still find that the staff is interested in and supportive of my recovery. I truly got another chance at life and I could not recommend Zia Recovery Center and their staff more highly if I tried. If you are ready to commit to recovery and you are not sure where to begin… Zia Recovery Center should be the first name on your list.
– Steven C.
– Steven C.
Zia Recovery Center taught me a way of working an honest and diligent program, not just for sobriety, but for every aspect in my life. It taught me how tackle my addiction face on with integrity and courage. In one year, I have grown tremendously, from losing my home, and living in my car, today I am regaining success and rebuilding meaningful relationships in my life. This program is trustworthy and passionate about recovery.
– Jacob B.
My name is Steve, former client at Zia Recovery Center. First time in recovery was scary. Zia provided me with a simple program that was not overwhelming. I gradually took steps forward with therapy, group sessions and AA meetings! When I struggled the staff was quick to keep me on track. Zia Recovery Center not only brought me closer to family but gave me the confidence to accomplish goals. I am grateful Zia became a part in helping me find recovery. Thank you Zia for all you do.
– Steve S.
About six years ago, I relapsed and my life did a nosedive with meth/IVDU. Everything that recovery gave me was lost: my profession, my family, my home, my vehicle… my life. And, then I gave Daniel a call about getting into Zia Recovery. Daniel and Ryan met with me over coffee. I told them what was going on and how desperate I was for recovery. After a handshake and a hug, they told me I could stay at the men’s house at Zia Recovery. What a blessing that has become! My family and I are forever indebted to Daniel and Ryan and the whole Zia Recovery family. In that safe environment I was able to find Recovery again-meetings, my sponsor, step work, service work, a community and most importantly, a relationship with a Higher Power. With the solid foundation that Zia Recovery gave me, 3. 5 years later, my journey of Recovery continues to strengthen. Today, I have a sponsor; I sponsor 2 gentlemen; I am imbedded in the NA/AA Las Cruces community; and, I work as a Rehabilitation Tech at Zia Recovery and I am in Grad School. I want to become a substance abuse counselor and continue to give back to the organization that saved my life… ZRC.
– Dave P.
I had known for a while that I needed help with my addiction. I had no idea what kind of help I needed or how to apply it to my life. I had tried many times to get sober many different ways. I had even been to treatment before. It wasn’t until I got to Zia that I got any idea on how to have lasting sobriety in my life. My emotional maturity was like that of a child and it was going to take a long time for me to grow up.
The staff at Zia understood that learning to live clean takes a long time. They had the patience and passion to help me grow. The experience of being a client at Zia felt the same as having the support of a loving family. I learned how to rebuild relationships and develop a strong work ethic. I would not be where I am today without the support and constant reminders that recovery must come before anything else.
– Elliott B.
I was told about Zia Recovery Center in January of 2018. I called their phone number and was greeted on the other end by friendly staff. After an interview the decision was made to be a client in their sober living home.
Upon my arrival I started the intake process and was shown around. Not once was I judged or made to feel like the person I felt I was inside (an addict/criminal). My soul had been beat down and my self worth was no where to be found. ZRC offered me a safe living environment to not only find the person I once was, but to find a better version of her.
I was told I needed to find a sponsor and work the 12 steps. Being that I was a 38 year old mother of 4, I was positive that I could stay sober on my own. I had argumentative days and a defiant attitude at times. The people of ZRC never gave up on me. They showed me patience and understanding while I figured out I couldn’t do it all by myself.
During my stay with them I got visits back with my children, maintained employment and purchased a hunk of junk car. The visits with my children became more often and in time I was ready to be in my own place.
After moving out of ZRC, I stayed active in the recovery community and have seen how selfless and inspiring the people of Zia are. In 2020, I was offered the pleasure of becoming part of their staff. Zia Recovery Center is offering people a second chance at a good life.
– Ruth R.
Hello my name is AJ and I’m an addict. Before I got to ZRC My life was definitely unmanageable, and I was powerless over everything. I couldn’t stay clean for longer than 60 days. I’ve been to 10 different rehabs, ZRC being number 10. I knew I needed something different, a LONG TERM 12 step program because nothing else worked for me. I had just got kicked out of yet another program and I was tired, But there was one thing I did not want to do and it was to get high. So I called ZRC, and got accepted. And my journey with ZRC began!
I made so many mistakes but NEVER the same ones, and no matter what I didn’t pick up! The tools ZRC provide for me, from the groups, the therapy, and most definitely the fellowship helped me learn how to love myself and others again. I always said I will work for ZRC one day, that was my ultimate goal! And today I have achieved that goal, 10x over. Without ZRC and EVERYONE involved I wouldn’t be the woman, friend, daughter, or employee I am today. Thank you for everything.
– Alyssa J.
Making the decision to go to Zia Recovery Center was the best decision that I made in my life. Before going to Zia I was a lost, horrible vessel that had no hope and no will to live. My kids and my family wanted nothing to do with me. I could not hold a job. I was living on the streets. Using drugs was the only thing I cared about. I was stuck in this horrible life and I had no idea how to get out. I didn’t know how to live without using.
Zia taught me the skills I needed to live life without drugs. Zia taught me how to deal with my problems instead of running from them. Zia taught me how to be an adult, a mother, and a friend. Because of Zia and the amazing staff, who never gave up on me, I can now say that I am a beautiful, strong women, mother, daughter, and friend who people can rely on. Thank you ZRC for helping me get my life back.
– Christina N.
Before coming to ZIA recovery center I was on drugs for 10+ years thinking nothing was wrong. It took me losing my kids, being in and out of jail and losing my kid’s dad to drugs n gun violence. I was so lost and my life was in total chaos. I didn’t know anything about getting help or where I needed to start, but with the help with my family and a good friend that worked at Zia to talk to me about getting the help I needed. Honestly, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. All I knew was everything I had ever tried wasn’t and didn’t work, so why not try rehab. Let me tell you… going to zia was the BEST thing i could of ever done for myself and for my kids.
Everybody at Zia cares so much and knows exactly what you’re feeling and going through. They all have been in our shoes and that’s what’s so beautiful about Zia. They teach you so many tools to start your life over and to have a healthy lifestyle. Working with my therapist and sponsor helped me opened my eyes to see that this is possible. Don’t be afraid of asking for help to better your life. I can’t thank ZIA RECOVERY CENTER enough for everything they have done and helped me with.
– Alexandria L.
Before going to Zia my life was a chaotic mess and I had no idea how to clean it up. I was completely broken and desperate for change. I knew I wanted to be sober and I knew my way of trying wasn’t working.
Zia helped me to understand it’s okay to ask for help. My therapist, the staff and the groups taught me how to live an honest life. Zia helped me regain my confidence and self worth. Now I have tools to help myself cope, instead of pretending things will go away on their own. Because of Zia I’ve been able to rebuild healthy relationships with my family and my daughters. Zia taught me the importance of keeping my recovery above all else. I’ll be forever grateful to Zia. Thank you for everything!!
– Francisca Q.
My experience at Zia has been great in many ways before I came to Zia I was lost in my way but Zia helped me grow and become the person I am today while at Zia they taught me about myself and my triggers they also taught me how to work through my traumas I love that they hire past clients to work in recovery cuz we are able to help out the newcomer and give back what was so freely given to us, here they taught me how to be a functioning member of society still meet with my sponsor and I go to therapy once a week I have come a long way and I’ve put in the footwork to become a better person.
– Josh J.
Before coming to Zia, my life had spiraled so much out of control, that I found myself incarcerated on federal drug charges. Within two months of being released, I relapsed and at the suggestion of my probation officer, I was to contact Zia Recovery Center. With the fear of going to prison, and wanting desperately to
stay sober, I entered the Zia program.
I learned through the group sessions the
causes and reasons of my addictive behavior, to manage my compulsive thoughts and learned coping skills. I was able to get the medication that would help manage my mental disorder (I was diagnosed for the first time when I was
incarcerated), along with individual therapy, my mind, thoughts and actions
began to be healthy. Everyone on staff, from the Tech’s, Facilitators, Case
Managers and Individual Therapists, are nurturing and supportive, always sharing
their own experiences, strength and hope.
I have been through other
rehabilitation programs, but nothing compared to this program. I am forever
grateful for Zia helping me get my life back. Now I am a Tech, sharing my
experience, strength and hope to the clients.
– Stephanie C.
I didn’t know what to expect when I first got to Zia.
I was scared. I was hungover. I was defeated. I quickly learned that Zia is a place of forgiveness. Zia is a place to try again and again and again, only getting stronger every time. Zia is a place to cry and rage and yell and laugh and dance and mediate and do yoga if that’s what you’re into. Zia is the place where you forgive yourself. Zia is the place that saved my life. The realization is, I am never going to succumb to success unless I surrender to my addiction and Zia taught me how to do that every day. My community, my foundation and my Higher Power keep me accountable. They keep me sane. They keep me sober.
Zia isn’t a just a place, it’s the wonderful, compassionate, loving, forgiving, patient, kind, thoughtful, strong, resilient, joyful, crazy addicts and alcoholics who help you find you again. Thank you, Zia. I am blessed, I am grateful, I am SOBER.
– Meagan M.
I was broken, lost, utterly alone. My mornings began with shots in the shower and a beer after brushing my teeth. Generally, the days ended up in a blackout and coming too in strange, compromising situations with no idea what I’d done or where I’d been. Other than a vague but very real feeling of incomprehensible demoralization. There was nothing sexy, romantic, or rock n roll about it. It was really just sad and pathetic. I knew I was an alcoholic; I’d known it forever. But no matter how many times I tried to stop, I couldn’t because there’s a vast difference between self-knowledge and actual change. I was unable to change until I was willing to let go of everything I thought I knew about how to live, think, and be and simply raise my hand and let other people help me. I found a way out, and today, my life is just a miracle I could not have imagined. I no longer have to suffer in the darkness, unable to grasp the light. The truth is I never have to use or drink again. There is a solution available to us all, no matter how dire your circumstances. It begins with a decision to set aside that fear of the unknown, raise your hand, and ask for help. It saved my life, and it can save yours too.