Chad Hoffman was having a very good day while he was being interviewed for this article – it was the day after he was offered a new job as a Certified Peer Support Specialist with
Muskegon County Community Mental Health System.
This day has been a long time coming for Chad, who is now seeing the end of what was a fairly long tunnel.
Chad was already being treated for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) when he graduated from college with his Engineering degree. When the stress from his first job after college built up and led him to a breakdown and a stay in the hospital, Chad learned that he also has Bipolar Disorder.
Taking medication for both conditions helped for a while, but like many people, Chad didn't like how the drugs made him feel and he stopped taking them.
For the next five to seven years or so, Chad floated. He had trouble working in more traditional jobs, so instead he turned to his skills as a handyman and salesman; his jobs and businesses included roofing, doing repairs, and servicing candy vending machines.
“I had a big truck and all the tools you could think of,” he said.
While he wasn't able to create huge success for himself, Chad was getting by until being off of his medications finally led him to another breakdown and hospitalization. This time, his family intervened and got a court order that put Chad into the hospital for a 30-day-plus stay.
Since then, Chad said he's been turning his life completely around.
“From then on I've stayed with my treatment plan, stayed with my medications, everything, It's been six or seven years now,” he said. “I've really stayed with my recovery,” which includes Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
A Hand Up – Muskegon Clubhouse
As part of his recovery, Chad started going to Muskegon Clubhouse about a year and a half ago. Today Chad helps in all of the work units and supports new members and old hands alike.
“The clubhouse really gave me the confidence and the structure to feel like I have the ability to get back in the work force,” Chad said. “It really did do that for me. [The clubhouse] kind of got me out of the house three or four days a week at least and got me into an environment where I could feel like I was providing a service. … It helped me get back the confidence that I lost when I got on disability. I realized I really like helping people, helping people like myself.”
Chad said he wished he had heard about the clubhouse much sooner, and said that one of Muskegon Clubhouse's current projects is doing outreach so more people can know about and become a member earlier in their recoveries.
Talking about his new job, Chad said he will be working at the Muskegon Community Mental Health front desk. He's excited about being able to be “...a front-line defense” to help people feel comfortable when they walk in the door.
Find A Clubhouse Near You
Chad Hoffman isn't the only person living with a mental illness who has used their experiences with a local clubhouse as a huge part of their recovery. Learn more about what a clubhouse can do for you here, then, when you're ready, visit our database where you can find a clubhouse and other mental health services near you.
Staying With His Recovery: From Hospital Stays to Clubhouse to CPSS, Chad Hoffman Says “I Feel Pretty Good Now”
Chad Hoffman was having a very good day while he was being interviewed for this article – it was the day after he was offered a new job as a Certified Peer Support Specialist with Muskegon County Community Mental Health System.
This day has been a long time coming for Chad, who is now seeing the end of what was a fairly long tunnel.
Chad was already being treated for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) when he graduated from college with his Engineering degree. When the stress from his first job after college built up and led him to a breakdown and a stay in the hospital, Chad learned that he also has Bipolar Disorder.
Taking medication for both conditions helped for a while, but like many people, Chad didn't like how the drugs made him feel and he stopped taking them.
For the next five to seven years or so, Chad floated. He had trouble working in more traditional jobs, so instead he turned to his skills as a handyman and salesman; his jobs and businesses included roofing, doing repairs, and servicing candy vending machines.
“I had a big truck and all the tools you could think of,” he said.
While he wasn't able to create huge success for himself, Chad was getting by until being off of his medications finally led him to another breakdown and hospitalization. This time, his family intervened and got a court order that put Chad into the hospital for a 30-day-plus stay.
Since then, Chad said he's been turning his life completely around.
“From then on I've stayed with my treatment plan, stayed with my medications, everything, It's been six or seven years now,” he said. “I've really stayed with my recovery,” which includes Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
A Hand Up – Muskegon Clubhouse
As part of his recovery, Chad started going to Muskegon Clubhouse about a year and a half ago. Today Chad helps in all of the work units and supports new members and old hands alike.
“The clubhouse really gave me the confidence and the structure to feel like I have the ability to get back in the work force,” Chad said. “It really did do that for me. [The clubhouse] kind of got me out of the house three or four days a week at least and got me into an environment where I could feel like I was providing a service. … It helped me get back the confidence that I lost when I got on disability. I realized I really like helping people, helping people like myself.”
Chad said he wished he had heard about the clubhouse much sooner, and said that one of Muskegon Clubhouse's current projects is doing outreach so more people can know about and become a member earlier in their recoveries.
Talking about his new job, Chad said he will be working at the Muskegon Community Mental Health front desk. He's excited about being able to be “...a front-line defense” to help people feel comfortable when they walk in the door.
Find A Clubhouse Near You
Chad Hoffman isn't the only person living with a mental illness who has used their experiences with a local clubhouse as a huge part of their recovery.
Learn more about what a clubhouse can do for you here, then, when you're ready,
visit our database where you can find a clubhouse and other mental health services near you.
By Dawn R. Wolfe