Sometimes the people struggling the most are the ones nobody suspects. JB spent years working in a highly skilled profession, building underground utility systems and infrastructure projects across the region. He was dependable. He was licensed. He held a good job with benefits. He never missed work.
From the outside, everything looked fine.
But behind the scenes, alcohol was slowly taking everything away. What started as a way to pass the time while traveling for work eventually became a seven-year battle with alcoholism.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
Earlier this year, JB found himself in the hospital fighting for his life. His body was shutting down. His kidneys were functioning at only a fraction of their normal capacity. Serious complications from alcohol abuse had pushed him to the brink.
Looking back, he says something told him to listen to that inner voice and get to a hospital before it was too late. And that decision saved his life.
What happened next is a powerful example of what can happen when an entire community works together.
After leaving Monument Health, JB was released to Cornerstone Rescue Mission Respite Care Center. From there, his Community Health Worker, McKenzie, referred him to treatment, and once his 45 days of treatment were completed, he was referred to the Care Campus, and ultimately to OneHeart.
At every step, someone helped him take the next one.
Dr. Buckly who wouldn’t give up on him. McKenzie who still checks in with him every other week. Advocates who helped him navigate services. His Care Coordinator Aiden who believes in his future. And a recovery community that welcomed him when he needed it most. This is what collaboration was always meant to look like.
When JB arrived at OneHeart in July, he wasn’t just trying to stay sober. He was trying to figure out what came next. Alcohol had cost him nearly everything. His health. His savings. His apartment. His security. His cat. Even the simple confidence of knowing what tomorrow might hold.
“There was a feeling of hopelessness.” That phrase came up again and again during our conversation.
But today, six months into sobriety, JB’s story looks very different. He came to OneHeart looking for structure, accountability, and most importantly, a safe and sober environment.
Today, he is working and has already advanced from an entry-level position into a maintenance leadership role thanks to the skills and work ethic he developed long before addiction entered the picture.
He’s working toward renewing his South Dakota licenses so he can return to the underground utility construction work he loves. And he’s focused on repairing the connections that matter most, including his relationship with his 13-year-old son.
One of JB’s greatest hopes is to continue rebuilding trust with his children and grandchild and create the kind of future they can be proud to be part of. He knows the road ahead will take time. Recovery always does.
But for the first time in a long while, he is looking toward the future with hope instead of fear. Perhaps the most powerful lesson from JB’s story is this: Addiction doesn’t always look the way people expect. It can affect professionals. Parents. Skilled tradespeople. Neighbors. People who show up to work every day. People who appear to have everything together.
That’s one reason JB wanted to share his journey publicly. He wants others to understand that alcoholism can happen to anyone, and that asking for help is not weakness. It is courage.
As we wrapped up our conversation, he shared a thought that perfectly captures why this journey matters: “People don’t understand what it takes to get back on your feet, especially when you’ve been hopeless.“
Today, JB is doing exactly that. One sober day at a time.
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing JB’s journey as he continues rebuilding his health, strengthening his recovery, reconnecting with family, and pursuing a future that once seemed impossible.
We hope you’ll join us in cheering him on. Welcome to the journey, JB.
Follow along as we share JB’s path from hopelessness to hope, from survival to stability, and from addiction toward the future he’s working so hard to build.
