Recovery stories often begin with a powerful choice, a single moment that changes everything.
Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Chris battled addiction for many years. It’s a struggle that often convinces you that you have to be tough, that you have to handle it on your own. But the truth, as Chris’s journey shows, is that we’re not as tough as we think we are.
True strength isn’t found in isolation; it’s found in the courage to ask for help. Too often, people have to hit rock bottom before they make the choice to ask for help.
For Chris, that turning point came when he moved to South Florida.
Before and After: an Inspiring Recovery Story
“Either go on as best we can to the bitter ends—jails, institutions, or death—or find a new way to live. It all starts with one day clean” he says.
Away from his old life, he found the space and opportunity to finally embrace recovery and begin the hard work of transforming his future.
7 Years of Sobriety
For Chris Kloboves, our Alumni Coordinator here at The Palms Recovery, those words represent a choice he made seven years ago—a choice that saved his life.
Since beginning that journey in 2017, Chris has dedicated his life to helping others find the same freedom he has.
He has worked across multiple levels of care, gaining the experience and strength needed to genuinely guide others on their own path to healing.
Today, we are overjoyed to celebrate seven years of Chris being clean and sober. The decision he made all those years ago didn’t just change his life; it created a ripple effect of joy and pride that touches everyone around him.
A Beautiful Life
His family and friends see the incredible transformation. One friend shared, “And now look at that beautiful life, beautiful woman and them amazing little babes. You should be damn proud of yourself, sir. I know I am.”
Another friend echoes the sentiment, saying, “I’m so proud of you
you’ve come so far, dub, and have such a beautiful family!”
This journey has allowed the real Chris to shine through.
As a loved one put it, “I am beyond incredibly proud of you, Dub ♥️ You have come so far. You have always had such a beautiful & caring heart & I’m so happy to see you fully shining.”
Chris’s story is just one of many recovery stories and it is a powerful reminder that the “bitter ends” of addiction are not the only option.
A beautiful life is waiting for you, too.
Another Level of Commitment
Seven years of sobriety hasn’t meant an absence of challenges; it has meant facing new ones with better tools. For Chris, the joys of building a new life also brought the profound responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood.
These blessings introduce a different kind of pressure—the sleepless nights, the weight of being a provider, and the daily commitment to being the husband and father his family deserves.
In the past, such stress would have been a trigger. Today, it’s a reason to lean even harder into his recovery.
This is where the true power of community comes in.
The support groups Chris stays connected with offer far more than simple companionship; they provide a brotherhood. It’s a circle of men who understand the unique pressures of navigating life’s biggest moments while fiercely protecting their sobriety.
There is a profound freedom in being able to share the burdens of a tough day, to be vulnerable without judgment, and to receive unwavering support from others who have been there.
This brotherhood reinforces the most important lesson of recovery: strength isn’t found in carrying the weight alone, but in the courage to share it.
The Bravest Thing You Can Do: Ask For Support
As our Alumni Coordinator, Chris now uses his experience to connect with and support those who are just starting their own journey, proving every day that a new way of life is possible.
If you are struggling, please know you don’t have to do it alone. The bravest thing you can do is reach out. Seek professional help, find a supportive community, and give yourself the chance to shine. Contact us today.
