A Life Restored: Kris Haynes' Journey of Recovery

Where the Addiction Began

Kris Haynes' story begins with profound loss. His mother passed away when he was only four months old—an absence that shaped his life before he was old enough to understand it. As he grew older, he endured years of physical and sexual abuse, lasting until the age of twelve.

By thirteen, Kris had begun using substances, marking the beginning of a long struggle with addiction. These early traumas deeply influenced how he viewed himself and the world, laying the foundation for an addiction that would intensify over time.

When Addiction Reached Its Lowest Point

Over the years, the addiction took complete control. Life unraveled in ways Kris never imagined. Family relationships were lost, employment became unstable, and his sense of identity slowly eroded.

Serious legal consequences followed. Kris was charged with reckless operation, accumulated six OVIs, and faced a felony theft charge. Homelessness became a recurring reality, with long periods of instability and uncertainty.

During this time, Kris entered treatment ten times across seven different facilities. While it may not have felt that way at the time, each attempt reflected a deep, underlying desire to survive and find a way out.

In August 2009, as his father was dying from cancer, his father pleaded with him to get help. Honoring his request, Kris entered The Good Samaritan Inn. That moment planted a seed—one that would later grow into a life-altering decision made on October 6, 2011.

The Day Everything Changed

October 6, 2011, marks Kris' sobriety date and the day everything changed. It was the moment he chose to fight for his life and surrender his struggles to God. In that decision, Kris let go of the weight he had been carrying and placed their trust in Him. This spiritual surrender became the cornerstone of Kris' recovery and the turning point that transformed his life.

Fourteen Years of Recovery

To Kris, recovery has not been easy, but it has been deeply rewarding. Over fourteen years, he rebuilt his life piece by piece—learning who he was without substances, repairing relationships, and creating stability. Along the way, Kris survived a stroke, confronted the consequences of his past, and uncovered a strength he never knew he possessed.

One of the most meaningful milestones in Kris' recovery has been his marriage, now approaching ten years. He believes building a healthy, loving partnership stands as a powerful testament to the growth and healing he has achieved.

Helping Others and Giving Back

Service has become a defining part of who Kris is. Recovery opened the door for him to support others on their own healing journeys. Over the past several years he has served in several impactful roles, including:

Administrator with Good Samaritan Inn, Case Manager with Joshua Recovery Ministries, Housing Manager with Modern Psychiatry and Wellness, and Outreach Coordinator with Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative.

Through this work, Kris walks alongside individuals in crisis, offering hope, guidance, and compassion—the same gifts once extended to them during their darkest moments.

Since joining Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative, his impact has been both measurable and deeply personal. Since tracking began in May, he has completed 468 prescreens and has been directly involved in successfully linking 231 individuals to treatment at Emerge. When the program is not the right fit, he ensures warm handoffs to other providers so that individuals always leave knowing where to go next.

He is the kind of person who will do whatever it takes to connect someone to treatment. That may mean being at the jail at 6:00 a.m. to pick someone up, walking through the woods to meet people where they are, or answering a call in the middle of the night and going out to help. He can also be found at outreach events, drug courts, co-facilitating groups when needed, and stepping in to help de-escalate individuals who are new to programming and struggling to adjust to the structure of treatment.

When people speak with him, they often describe an immediate sense of calm and hope. He genuinely believes in the work he does, and his authenticity helps engage those who may be hesitant or unsure about entering treatment.