Matthew Snapp

​Before recovery, my life was... well, chaotic doesn’t even begin to cover it. I was homeless, living under a bridge, using meth, getting into trouble, catching cases. I’d been to treatment twice before, but it never really stuck. I wasn’t ready. I’d show up and try it out, but the second it got uncomfortable — I was gone. Then I found Grandview.

And honestly, Grandview was different. They didn’t just talk at me — they saw me. Grandview made me believe I could have a life outside of addiction. I can’t explain it exactly, but they lit up something in me. Impact laid the groundwork, but Grandview gave me the spark I needed.

Now, I’m working full-time as the manager at Dogtopia, a dog daycare facility. Yeah, I hang out with dogs all day. It’s kind of a dream. I’ve got a car, a place to live, friends who

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care about my well-being, and a job where people actually have my back. After years of feeling invisible, it means everything to work somewhere where people care about me. And then there are the dogs — obviously. I’m surrounded by them every day. Some of them are rescues, just like me. Plus, Dogtopia has an affiliate program with Grandview, and we’ve had other alumni come through. That connection means a lot.
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And the best part? I don’t think about using anymore. The obsession is gone. I come home, take a hot shower, watch Netflix, hit Disneyland or the beach. I’m even going to Hawaii in July. These might sound like regular things, but when you’ve been where I’ve been, “normal” becomes something you’re insanely grateful for. These days, I’m focused on keeping life steady. I like my job. I like who I’m becoming. I’m back in touch with my family now. I used to hit them up only when I needed something.

​Now I get to give — I take my mom out to eat. That alone is a huge win.

One of the biggest gifts recovery gave me is the ability to feel again. When I was using, it was just numbness — or worse, depression and suicidal thoughts. Now, I feel everything: the good, the bad, the weird. I even catch myself laughing at the little things that used to set me off. Working on my anger has been a process, but now, even my past outbursts feel like distant, strange memories.

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If I had one piece of advice to give to someone still struggling, it’d be this: find something that makes you happy and hang on to it. It might feel weird or uncomfortable at first, but just give it time. The farther away you get from the chaos, the more peace you’ll find. Find something that fulfills you, something you’re passionate about — something that gives your day meaning. For me, that’s work. I didn’t realize how much having a job I like would change things. It’s not just about the paycheck — it’s about feeling useful and proud of what I do.

When I think about what Grandview did for me, it’s hard to put into words. Grandview and the staff loved me when I couldn’t love myself. Whether it was setting up volunteer events, donating books to schools, or just showing up day after day — they reminded me I had value. That I wasn’t too far gone.

The truth is, Grandview helped me find my purpose again. And that’s everything!

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