“Being a part of a program like the ones I went through — Kitsap County Drug Court, working with the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, and now West Sound Treatment Center — is my way of giving back to the programs that saved my life.” This is Michelle Lamb’s statement when I ask her about her recent Voices in Recovery award. Staff members nominate one of their co-workers who they feel stands out as a voice in recovery for the work they do to help people who can’t always speak up for themselves. “My journey has been long, and the healing process is ongoing,” Michelle says, “but every step has shown me how strong I really am.”
Michelle explains that she grew up in an abusive, alcoholic environment full of chaos. Running away, trying to escape, she only ended up in similar situations…or worse. “I created my own prison,” she says. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t escape from the imprisonment that was in her own mind. When she decided she’d had enough, she turned to the Kitsap County Drug Court, begging for acceptance into the program.
“Thank God for Drug Court,” Michelle says. “That program changed my life.” She used those resources — along with treatment through West Sound Treatment Center and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Reentry program — to completely transform everything about her life. “I now have a sense of purpose that I never thought would be possible when I was in the depths of my addiction. I now have a career helping others learn ways to break the cycle of addiction, trauma, and abuse.”
What was the hardest part of her journey? Michelle answered that question in two parts. First, “realizing that I didn’t have to keep repeating the cycle.” When poor choices and mistakes seemed inevitable due to patterns ingrained from childhood, that “realization” took conscious effort. The second, but by no means lesser part of the answer was “that I was worthy of love and a second chance.”
Once she made the decision to break free from the damage of the past, she was determined to change, no matter how difficult the journey proved to be. “My kids deserve better,” she says. “I didn’t come from a loving family, but I want to make sure a loving family comes from me.”
Her message for anyone struggling with addiction: “No one has to do this alone. It doesn’t matter what your past looks like — there are people here who genuinely want to help. There are people who will love you and help guide you if you take that first step and reach out for it.”
Working with Michelle and seeing her interact with clients, her colleagues at WSTC see her demonstrate strength, love, and determination every day. It was no surprise to any of us that she was unanimously nominated as an outstanding Voice in Recovery this year.
“I’m living proof that transformation is possible,” she says, “and I am grateful for the opportunity to be the one to show others that same possibility.”
by Beth Wilson
