Recovery changed her life, and now she helps others
This is the first of a series of occasional articles focusing on recovery, ahead of the opening of the York County Recovery Center in the first quarter of 2027.
BIDDEFORD, Maine – Today, Kelsie Fitch is healthy, committed to her own long term recovery, helping others along that path, and living a happy life.
But it wasn’t always that way. Before recovery, her life was a seemingly never-ending cycle of drug use, homelessness, arrests followed by jail time where she got sober – and then back to using when her sentence was complete.
“I couldn’t stay sober when I was released from jail,” said Fitch.
That was then. Now 33, she has been in recovery for seven years.
Her life began to change when she was court-ordered to a six month residential recovery program several years ago.
She went, she said, because the alternative to the program was remaining in jail.
“I really didn’t understand what the program was or what recovery could look like,” she said. “That recovery center ended up changing my life.”
It wasn’t all clear sailing – there was a brief relapse and an additional period of time in the residential program, but Fitch wants others in the grip of substance use to know successful recovery can happen.
“Recovery gave me a life that I truly never thought was possible for me, and I hope someone who is struggling knows that their life can change for the better too,” she said.
Now employed as housing director for a couple of women’s recovery residences and as a recovery care navigator and an alcohol and drug counseling aide for a program for those with opioid disorders, she is doing what she can to bring long-term recovery to others.
Fitch, of the Biddeford area, dropped out of high school in 10th grade. Like others, she had dabbled in alcohol and marijuana use.
Then things changed. She was prescribed oxycodone after gall bladder surgery, and became enamored of it.
“Someone told me heroin could give a similar effect, and from there, one thing led to another,” Fitch said in a September interview. “I began using heroin, and eventually I was using heroin and crack cocaine. Later fentanyl became a part of that as well.”
Her use went on for two years.
“Toward the end of using, I knew I didn’t want to live life that anymore,” she said. “I didn’t like who I had become, and I didn’t feel like myself. I knew I was ready for something different, but I honestly didn’t know how to stop.”
Fitch’s recovery date is etched in her memory – June 13, 2019. A year later, she began working at Shalom House in Portland.
“It taught me so much about mental health, and some residents were cooccurring with substance use,” Fitch said. “I have worked in the field ever since.”
The residential program she attended – the former Layman Way Recovery Center – was York County government’s first foray into recovery services, and provided an alternative to jail for nonviolent offenders who were in the grip of substance use.
The program was operated by York County Shelter Programs, Inc. through a contract with the county government. “That program really supported me,” she said, and not only with the recovery piece – Fitch earned her high school equivalency while there.
She also took advantage of a 12-step program, and continues to follow the steps.
“Ultimately I have that choice to stay sober and be the best version of myself; it lies within the person the ability to do well,” she said.
Early next year, the York County Recovery Center is poised to open on First County Way, off Route 4 in Alfred. The 58-bed residential recovery center will sport a detox program, along with 30-day and 180-day residential components and an intensive outpatient program. Those with substance use issues will be able to apply.
Fitch said she’s glad to see that happening – she’s happy to see more recovery services becoming available.
And she had these thoughts for folks considering recovery:
“Take suggestions from people willing to help, people who have been where you are,” she said. “Really hear the words. It’s one day at a time, so cliché, but it’s true….….You don’t have to have everything figured out, you just have to be willing to take that first step and accept help.”
