04/22/2026
Another fine example of the power within continuity of care—law enforcement, recovery pods, peer support, clinicians, sober living, and 12-step work. There is a process and system that works here!
Nice work, Solutions Recovery, Inc. and the Winnebago County Department of Human Services & Winnebago County, Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office. You are incredible partners that “get it!”
Another incredible STAR success story! Meet Brein …. (Shared with permission).
“I was born in Fond du Lac and grew up as the second oldest of six siblings. When my parents divorced while I was in third grade, we moved to Oshkosh. I would say I had a fairly normal upbringing, but things started to change in middle school when I began hanging around the wrong crowd. By the time I was 16, I was smoking w**d regularly, and after high school, my substance use escalated quickly.
In college, I started using painkillers and became addicted without even realizing it. I overdosed and lost a friend, which really impacted me and led me to drop out of school. From there, my addiction progressed to he**in, and I was using daily for years. My life became a cycle of using, selling drugs, getting in trouble, and trying to get back on my feet—only to fall right back into the same patterns. I went through treatment, drug court, and prison, but nothing seemed to stick. I lost relationships, experienced homelessness, and after the overdose death of someone I cared about, I felt completely lost.
When I first got connected to the recovery pod and the STAR program, I wasn’t ready to change. But being in that environment planted a seed. I started noticing the guys coming in from Solutions and saw something different in them—joy, freedom, and a sense of peace I had never experienced. Through going to groups almost every day, I began to learn about the disease in a way that finally made sense to me. I started to see myself in others and realized change might actually be possible.
The recovery pod was different from anything I had experienced before. It was still jail, but it didn’t feel like it in the same way. The speaker meetings stood out to me, and I remember thinking maybe one day I could share my story too. I recently had the opportunity to and it was a humbling and powerful experience. The STAR program team made a huge impact on me. At first, I thought they were just doing their jobs, but now I see how much they truly care. Even after I got out, they continued to support me, and those relationships mean a lot to me today.
When I finally made the decision to surrender and fully commit to recovery, everything started to change. I went from prison to treatment at DACC, and when I got out, I went straight into sober living, where I still am today. Since then, my life has completely turned around. I’ve maintained my sobriety, gotten a job, then moved into a better one. I’ve learned how to budget, save money, and I’ve paid off all of my debts—I’m now completely debt-free.
The biggest thing is that I’ve rebuilt relationships with my family—relationships they say they’ve been missing for over 15 years. I’m present in my life today. I can handle what life throws at me without turning back to drugs. I’ve gotten a sponsor, worked the steps, and now I sponsor other men. It’s powerful to be able to tell someone, “That was me, and if I can do this, so can you.”
I’ve also had the opportunity to share my story in different settings, and that has been incredibly rewarding. People have reached out to me asking how I did it, and being able to give back and help others has been one of the best parts of my recovery.
When I was in prison, I started thinking about the kind of legacy I wanted to leave behind. I had to ask myself if I wanted to continue being known as a drug addict and dealer, or if I wanted to become someone who gives back and makes a difference. Today, I’m choosing a different path.
The recovery pod and the STAR program changed my life. It didn’t just help me get sober—it showed me a new way to live. It gave me hope, purpose, and a foundation I never had before. I truly believe this program is a game changer, and I’m living proof that it works.”
Amazing work Brein!
