Michael Fitzpatrick, Harbor Hall 1996

“Looking back it is hard to believe what little I observed of Harbor Hall’s beautiful surroundings on that first drive into town; slowly, however, during the frequent walks to local meetings and events, Petoskey’s beautiful, natural landscape revealed itself. Though I cannot undervalue the direct effect of the “million dollar sunsets,” the true brilliance of Harbor Hall is its people.”

“I’d had several in-patient treatment center experiences, but it was at Harbor Hall where I began the life as I know it now. I stumbled into the big, white home on the hill 13 years ago with all of my belongings in a duffle bag. Since then, I have become a reliable employee, a loyal friend and a loving husband. Today, I am a positive example to my children and an asset to my community. I have established a successful business and sold it to return to college. I earned my Master’s Degree and am close to receiving my CPA certification. Somewhere along the way, Harbor Hall saw in me some budding potential, and I am happy to say that today I see it too.” Michael Fitzpatrick, Harbor Hall 1996

Paul Gauden

When certain people ask my age I sometimes reply, seven. When I entered treatment at Harbor Hall I was incomplete, emotionally and spiritually undeveloped. I could never comprehend anything outside of myself and did not know myself at all. I had not just built a wall, but a solid structure, with the tools of addiction. Trapped, I could not see out or in. At Harbor Hall I was given the tools to tear down that structure and build a substantial foundation for life. Holistically, the staff had a tremendous amount of empathy towards my disease and me. That I had not seen before. That, even in my broken state, allowed me to trust them.

My treatment was intense on all levels, painful, joyous, sad, calming, frightening, enlightening. I felt it all. For the first time I truly could comprehend what it was like to naturally feel. When I cried it was real, when I laughed it was real. I felt whole, truly alive and still do today.

Simply put-Harbor Hall gave me a life in every aspect. Not a re-birth or second chance, but real true life, period. I am grateful to be alive and still growing today. I owe much gratitude to everyone involved. From the Clinical Director who took time to explain things to me, to my counselor who showed me more of myself in one session than I could figure out in thirty years and, to the night techs that kept me from running away with myself.

Today when I think of my connection to Harbor Hall I get the feeling one would get driving by their old childhood home. That is because I grew up there.