Lauren Ehlenfeldt
LAC, Family Program Coordinator
I am a Licensed Addiction Counselor and the Family Program Director at Rocky Mountain Treatment center. Here is a little background history about me. I am originally from Baltimore, MD and headed out west at 18, where I married and started a family in Leadville, CO. I was widowed at the age of 33; and I raised 5 beautiful children on my own. After my husband’s death I moved coast to coast and boarder to boarder running from myself, my addiction and my grief. I finally landed in Libby, MT where everything caught up to me. This is also where I started my journey into a life of recovery. I am a child of an alcoholic and all 5 of my siblings were affected by the disease of addiction. I am the mother of a couple of alcoholic/addict adult children, whom are living a life of recovery now. I am a recovering alcoholic/addict. My entire life has revolved around my addictions, as well as my families. My journey as an addict was defined by my triumphs and tragedies. I have gone from surviving in life to thriving in life! Today I own my own story and live a sober, authentic and transparent life.
In 2011 I found my way back to school, graduating in 2015 with a degree in Substance Abuse Counseling. I, unfortunately, allowed my lack of confidence to hold me back and rejection stopped me in my tracks. I essentially gave up trying to use my degree and complete an internship. Then a miracle happened and I began my journey to RMTC after my brother suggested that I set my intentions with what, how and where I wanted to be in my life. Two weeks later I was interviewing at RMTC, thus beginning my dreams of helping others and paying it forward! Today, I get to experience clients and their families come full circle, going from hostility to hopeful in our Family Program. I am truly blessed with the job of my dreams, and I get to share my experience, strength and hope with others so they too can recover. My favorite lesson is teaching others not to waste their miracle, and to never give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens!