“What’s important for families to know is it’s okay and often critical to lean on others,” says Shannon Anderson.
Shannon and Todger Anderson’s experience supporting family and friends through addiction and recovery has been a rollercoaster of hope, fear, and perseverance.
Shannon has firsthand experience with the devastating impact of addiction. Her parents and two siblings struggled with alcoholism, with one sibling tragically passing away due to complications. Many friends in the Vail Valley have also suffered from the disease.
The couple’s journey together took a turn when Shannon’s son, Blake, overdosed at home, requiring emergency transport hours away to Denver. Every organ was failing, yet miraculously, he survived without lasting damage.
The Long Road to Recovery
That incident marked the beginning of a decade of treatment attempts, relapses, and constant worry. Shannon recalls the paralyzing helplessness of watching her son struggle, never knowing if a phone call would bring devastating news. Through it all, they refused to give up.
Blake’s recovery journey was bolstered by a network of family and friends, including his father, John Armstrong; sister, Haleigh Armstrong; aunts, and childhood friend Rob Shearon. Rob is the founder of the local nonprofit RECONNECTED, and Shannon called him numerous times over the years for help.
“What’s important for families to know is it’s okay and often critical to lean on others,” says Shannon. “Sometimes, the isolation and despair I felt was so overwhelming that it took all I had just to make a phone call to someone in my support network. It made all the difference for my well-being.”
Today, Blake is thriving. He’s married with children and enjoys a rewarding career as a paramedic and firefighter.
Recognizing that many families lack access to similar resources, Shannon and Todger made a generous donation to RECONNECTED, an organization in Eagle County that provides crucial mentorship and community support to people in early recovery.
Emphasizing the importance of persistence, Shannon advises parents, “Don’t abandon them. You don’t want to look back and wish, ‘Maybe I could have or should have tried something else.’ Just give it all. Do what you can.”
“It’s also an important battle for society. We shouldn’t give up either. It takes a village.”Todger Anderson