May 28, 2020 – Yesterday, Chelsey Stauffer drove up to her job at Water Gap Wellness in her brand new 2016 Mazda X6.
“My new car has an automatic start button! I can’t believe it,” she said. It’s so nice to drive such an awesome car!”
For the past 2 years Chelsey, now in recovery, drove a 2006 Saturn Ion that she purchased for $250 that became her “ride” – and her “baby” – throughout her addiction recovery journey
“It’s funny,” Chelsey said. “My old car was there with me through it all, and I was actually crying when I said goodbye to it yesterday,” she said.
You see, Chelsey saying good-bye to her old car signified saying a final goodbye to her old life. The life she worked hard to overcome.
Growing up Chelsey experienced a lot of trauma which led to multiple mental health diagnoses. She was in and out of numerous therapists’ offices as a child and teenager. And because of this she aspired to one day work in the field.
So in 2010 Chelsey began attending college and studying Psychology. But soon, addiction flooded Chelsey’s life and put all her plans on hold as she spent the next few years living in degradation and dereliction.
Chelsey eventually went into treatment – desperate for recovery – and took all the suggestions given to her. She credits much of her early recovery to the staff at the facilities she attended. Chelsey listened to her counselors and adhered to their wise advice and began to completely rebuild her life.
Throughout this process the flame of desire to help others was once again ignited by the staff at those facilities, and Chelsey decided she found her niche’ in life.
Today Chelsey is a Client Care Coordinator at Water Gap Wellness where she works directly with clients to help them make a smooth transition into their recovery process. Chelsey is passionate about her position because she understands just how scary early recovery can be.
Now with some years clean Chelsey has found meaning and purpose working in the treatment field and helping others who are in early recovery. She wants to be able to provide hope to clients by sharing her experience and offering the same suggestions that helped to save her own life.
Yesterday, as Chelsey celebrated her new car, she also celebrated her recovery, sobriety and all that it offers. Saying goodbye is always bitter-sweet but saying hello to a brand-new life is far more exciting.
Written by Annette Kaiser and Chelsey Stauffer
