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When Marvin first walked through the doors of LESC’s Su Casa Residential Program, he had been battling addiction for over 40 years. He describes it as being trapped on a hamster wheel, running in circles, desperate to stop but not knowing how. “I thought I was crazy for a long time,” Marvin shares. “It was just the same cycle over and over. But when I walked into LESC, I realized I wasn’t alone. There were people who understood, who had been there, too.”
Today, Marvin is more than just a success story, he’s part of the team. As a counselor at LESC and a proud graduate of Su Casa, Marvin uses his lived experience to help others find the same hope, healing, and stability that he did.
Marvin’s journey to addiction treatment in NYC wasn’t linear. Like many who struggle with substance use, his life was marked by trauma, instability, and decades of substance use disorder. For years, Marvin found himself stuck in a cycle that felt impossible to break. “I was in it for over 40 years,” he emphasizes. “Forty years of chaos. Forty years of pain. And for a long time, I truly believed I was crazy, like there was no way out.”
But everything shifted the day Marvin walked through the doors of LESC’s Su Casa Residential Program. He describes it as a pivotal moment, one that opened his eyes to the possibility of a life beyond addiction. “That’s when everything started to change. For the first time, I realized I wasn’t alone. There were people here who understood what I was going through, not just professionally, but personally.”
The experience Marvin had at Su Casa was so impactful that when he completed the program, he knew his work wasn’t done. Recovery wasn’t just something he achieved, it became something he wanted to help others reach. “I didn’t come back only for the money,” he says plainly. “I came back because I knew what this place did for me. I knew what it gave me. And I knew I could help the next person walking through that door.”
Today, Marvin is not just a proud alumnus of LESC, he’s also a counselor and a critical member of the team that supports clients at every stage of their recovery. His lived experience uniquely positions him to meet clients where they are, offering empathy, guidance, and real-world wisdom that only someone who has been there can truly provide.
“When they look at me, they see someone who’s lived it,” Marvin says. “That’s why I let them know where I came from. I was in it for 40 years. If I can do it, they can too.” For clients just starting out, Marvin becomes more than a counselor—he’s a beacon of what’s possible. His presence alone reminds them that recovery isn’t just a concept. It’s real. And it’s within reach.
There are a lot of places offering addiction recovery services in NYC, but Marvin believes there’s something uniquely powerful about LESC.
“First off, it’s how you’re treated from the minute you walk through the doors,” Marvin explains. “You’re not treated like a number. You’re not judged. You’re met exactly where you are. They don’t expect you to show up perfect, they expect you to show up ready to try.”
One of the biggest challenges to seeking treatment is fear of the unknown. Marvin understands this firsthand, which is why he’s passionate about helping new clients feel comfortable from day one. “People are scared,” he acknowledges. “It’s a culture shock. If you’ve spent years surviving in the streets or in addiction, this is a whole new way of life.”
Marvin is living proof that the LESC approach works. The program focuses on the three pillars of recovery: Stabilization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration. “It’s not just about getting clean,” Marvin says. “It’s about learning how to live again.”
So, what does a typical day look like at Su Casa?
“Yeah, it can feel repetitive,” Marvin admits. “But that’s what it takes. Recovery isn’t magic, it’s about showing up every day and doing the work.”
Many clients come to LESC’s addiction recovery services in NYC feeling lost, scared, and unsure if real change is even possible. For some, it’s been years, sometimes decades, of trauma, broken trust, and feeling stuck in a cycle they can’t escape. Marvin understands that feeling better than most – because he’s lived it.
“When someone comes here, I meet them where they’re at,” Marvin says. “I don’t tear people down to build them back up. That might’ve been how some places did it years ago, but not here, not at LESC. My job is to show them that I’ve been where they are. And if I could change after 40 years, they can too.”
For Marvin, building trust begins with honesty, empathy, and demonstrating to clients that recovery isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. It’s about choosing today. “When people ask me how long I’ve been clean, I tell them, ‘I woke up this morning. That’s how long.’ Because the only day that matters is today. Yesterday’s gone. Tomorrow’s not promised. But today, we can work with that.”
For anyone feeling scared, hopeless or like change is impossible, you just need to take that first step. Marvin wants you to hear this: “The pain, the suffering, the trauma – you don’t have to carry it forever. You are not crazy. You are not broken beyond repair. There is a way out. I’m living proof of that. And this place, LESC, is where it can begin.”
“Because of LESC, I got my life back,” Marvin says without hesitation. “I’m about to be a great-grandfather. I never thought I’d see that day. But here I am.”
Marvin’s story is just one example of what’s possible through addiction treatment in NYC at LESC. Whether you’ve been struggling for years or you’re just beginning to realize it’s time for change, LESC is here, with a team of counselors, medical professionals, and peers who will meet you exactly where you are.
You don’t have to do this alone. Recovery is possible. A different life is possible. Reach out to LESC today and take the first step toward healing with compassionate, comprehensive addiction recovery services in NYC.
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Recovery is a process. That’s why the programs at LESC are not time-sensitive, they’re goal-sensitive. We work to address the individual needs of clients at every level, so they can become productive citizens in the communities where they live.
A healthier, more fulfilling life can be yours. Call or email us now to arrange a screening interview. A trained intake counselor is waiting to help you begin the admissions process.
Call: (347) 538-2632
Or email us at: info@lesc.org
We’re committed to nurturing resilient recovery through a program of treatment, supportive housing, education, and energized community engagement. Discover the relationships, the resources, and the safe and sound support system to begin your journey.
