The story of Colleen: ShowBiz in Recovery

We close out our October, “Showbiz in Recovery” series with the story of Colleen—a woman whose life has been saved and transformed, one note at a time.Born with a condition that fused her spine, Colleen knew pain from the moment she entered the world. As a young girl, she found escape through music, lying next to the speakers at her local bars just to feel the rhythm vibrate through her bones. She dreamed of being a musician, of feeling that same power flow through her—but the disease of addiction had other plans.Her story weaves together love, loss, and the relentless pull of the disease. After falling in love with the father of her children—a man in and out of prison—Colleen followed him through every incarceration, every heartbreak, every high. A tragic car accident, followed by prescriptions meant to heal, led her deeper into her addiction. Alcohol and pills became the soundtrack of her life, drowning out the music that once gave her hope.It wasn’t until she walked into the rooms of Nar-Anon that she began to hear something new—a faint melody of hope, carried by the words of someone from Narcotics Anonymous. For the first time, she recognized her own story in theirs: the pain, the isolation, the exhaustion of living two lives. She realized she wasn’t just loving an addict—she was one. That moment of clarity became the bridge to her recovery.Clean now for many years, Colleen lives a life filled with music, service, and gratitude. The lyrics of her favorite musicians remind her daily that staying clean is worth it. She has built a foundation in NA—serving on committees, using her skills in finance and her heart for music to give back. Her home and body tell the story of her journey: tattoos signed by musicians who inspired her, reminders of where she’s been and what she’s overcome.Today, she stands not as a woman broken by addiction, but as one reborn by recovery. She’s a mother who leads by example, a friend who lifts others up, and a musician who feels the power of every note with a clean heart. Through open mics and local events, she gives others the same chance she once prayed for—a space to be heard, to heal, and to belong.Colleen’s story is a living testament to transformation. She reminds us that even when life forces us to face the music, recovery gives us the courage to change the key.