Jack | Sedgwick, CO

“For me, farming taught me grit, strength, and never giving up—all traits that have been crucial in my recovery from addiction.”

My name is Jack, I’m a third-generation farmer and rancher from northeastern Colorado, and I am in recovery. I raise cattle for a beef operation on about 300 acres. Farming and ranching have always been a big part of my life, and what I love most is the freedom. We’re all neighbors here, and we should be looking out for one another. That community connection is vital, especially in tough times.

Growing up, I started drinking in my teens. It was part of the small-town culture—a way to fit in. But alcohol eventually became more than just a social activity as the pressures of agriculture work began mounting. Over time, alcohol use took hold of my life, and I became isolated. The shame and guilt of my addiction weighed on me, but I kept pushing through. For a while, I was just living day-by-day, struggling with depression and anxiety. I would pray every night, begging for help. I couldn’t keep living this way.

The hardest part was admitting I needed help, especially in a rural community. With the lack of services and the overlooked mental health struggles in agriculture, our need-to-be-tough mentality often overshadows our need for support. We don’t talk about addiction in agriculture; we’re taught to be tough and keep going. But I knew I needed to get help or I was going to die. So I started researching and looking for support. Finding help wasn’t easy. Treatment services were 45 miles away. In the first three years of my recovery, I drove over 120,000 miles for services and therapy. But it was worth it. I found my therapist, who pushed me further, encouraging me to keep seeking more support.

The hardest part was the mental battle of learning how to cope without alcohol. It took months, even years, for my mind to fully heal. But through the 12 steps program and therapy, I began to find stability. Now, after over six years of sobriety, I know what it means to live free of addiction. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from both farming and recovery is to never give up. Even when things seem impossible, you push through. You keep going. I’ve become a peer support specialist to help others because I want to be the person I needed when I was struggling. If you’re out there, stuck in addiction, just know: recovery is hard, but it’s worth it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not alone, and you’re worth it.