Melissa and Denise's run towards recovery!

Hi Everyone! I’m Melissa Lonergan, Recovery Coach at Gosnold and a person in long-term recovery since July 30, 2007. My wife Denise and I are ecstatic to be running the 125th Boston Marathon this Fall.

My story isn’t too different from many others who have experience with substance use disorder. Ever since I was a child I have felt “different,” like I didn’t fit in. Although I was well-liked and had many friends, those feelings didn’t go away until about the age of 13 when, babysitting with a friend, I looked in the refrigerator to get a soda and saw a large bottle of wine. I took a sip, then another and like magic I immediately got all warm inside. All of that negative inner dialog went away and that felt GOOD!

Fast-forward 19 years and many experiences (both good, and eventually very bad) I had reached my bottom. Thankfully my father who has been in recovery now for 40 years steered me in the direction of 12-step meetings which I dove into 100 percent.

Since that time, I’ve been able to reap the full benefits of recovery. I’ve been guiding others through the recovery process as a Gosnold Recovery Coach for the past 7 years, I’ve gotten married to my amazing wife Denise, I’ve lost 70 pounds, and I’ve taken up running! My life would not be the same without the gift of recovery.

Denise’s recovery began the day she entered Gosnold’s Detox in January 2010. She was not able to put the drink down and at the lowest point in her life. Gosnold counselors guided Denise into the recovery process and gave her tools to handle situations that she would have otherwise picked up a drink over. The groups at Gosnold gave her an overwhelming sense of community and reminded her that she was worthy of happiness and health.

It is such an honor to be running the Boston Marathon to help raise funds for underserved programs at Gosnold, and I hope you will consider donating to our page! Your gift- no matter the size- will ensure that our programs stay up and running for the next person that asks for help. Thank you!