In life, few roads are as harrowing as those walked alongside a loved one battling addiction. For Robert Ruesch, the author of “The Long Road Home: A Family’s Journey Through Addiction,” the path has been one of heartache, hope and ultimately, redemption.
His story, intertwined with that of his daughter, Jennifer, paints a vivid picture of resilience and faith in the face of unimaginable challenges.
A family’s battle with addiction
Robert recounts the decades-long battle his daughter faced as Jennifer’s life spiraled into a cycle of addiction, toxic relationships and legal troubles.
“My daughter was 14 years old when she was abused by her stepdad. At that point, she became an alcoholic,” he explained. “Anything she could sniff, drink or swallow, she would. She had a very low self-esteem, went through multiple relationships, and endured major crises throughout her life.”
The turning point came two years ago when Jennifer overdosed.
“She was with her ‘minus one,’” Robert said, using a term he coined for negative influences in relationships. “She overdosed, quit breathing in the emergency room and essentially died. It took four doses of Narcan to bring her back.”
Following her recovery, Robert and his wife brought Jennifer into their Colorado home. The journey back from Texas, where she had been going through recovery with Teen Challenge, became a metaphorical as well as literal homecoming.
“During that drive, I heard God say to me, ‘You need to write this in a book.’ I remember thinking, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ But God persisted, and eventually, I gave in,” he explained.
Writing ‘The Long Road Home‘
Jennifer’s life journal, written as part of her rehabilitation, became the backbone of the book.
“She had been documenting her experiences. When she moved in with us, she gave me her journal,” Robert said. “It was an open book and a brutally-honest account of her struggles.”
The book also drew from other poignant sources, including a 27-page psychological evaluation conducted during Jennifer’s incarceration in federal prison.
“She served three years for being caught with friends who were buying drugs,” Robert recalled. “Her life has been a tapestry of consequences created by actions, some of which were extremely difficult to bear.”
Writing “The Long Road Home” was a collaborative process. Robert and Jennifer crafted the book in first person, with alternating chapters sharing their perspectives.
“Some chapters are all hers, some are both of ours,” he said. “It’s her story and my story woven together.”
Each chapter begins with scripture and concludes with a quote, a literary device Robert used to “sandwich the story between hope and truth.”
Faith through the storm
As a devout Christian, Robert leaned heavily on his faith throughout Jennifer’s journey.
“She accepted Christ when she was in eighth grade,” he said. “But she was what I call a ‘Christian lite’ — someone who goes through the Christian buffet without committing to the full meal.”
Despite this, Robert never wavered in his belief that God was protecting Jennifer.
“If she died, I knew she’d be in heaven, and that was my solace,” he said. “But as a father, the human emotions were overwhelming. I can’t tell you how many times I’d get calls where she’d say, ‘Come rescue me,’ only to slip back into addiction.”
One of the most challenging aspects was the uncertainty, especially when Robert would call her and get no response.
“I’d wonder, ‘Is she even alive?’ My nightly prayers were for her protection and safety,” he remembered.
Redemption and transformation
Today, Jennifer is on a path to recovery.
“When she moved in with us, she was 49 going on 16,” Robert shared. “Now she’s 50, going on somewhere between 20 and 25. She’s held a job for more than a year and is making progress.”
The transformation has been marked by small, but significant, milestones. Jennifer’s ability to maintain employment and establish a sense of independence has been a cornerstone of her recovery.
“When she first moved in, she was entirely dependent on others, both emotionally and physically,” Robert said. “But now, she’s regaining her autonomy and making healthier decisions every day.”
Jennifer’s relationship with her faith has also deepened. She’s gone from a superficial understanding of Christianity to genuinely embracing the hope and guidance it offers. Robert said Jennifer now participates in Bible studies and has started sharing her own experiences to help others facing addiction.
“It’s amazing to see her not just survive, but actively work to thrive and give back,” he added.
For Robert and his wife, watching their daughter blossom after years of despair has been nothing short of miraculous.
“There were times when we thought we’d lost her forever,” he admitted. “But God’s grace has a way of bringing even the most lost souls back into the light. Jennifer is living proof of that.”
The journey has also transformed the family as a whole.
“We’ve grown closer through the process,” Robert said. “It’s taught us patience, empathy, and the importance of unconditional love. There’s no such thing as giving up on someone you love.”
A mission to inspire
Through his writing, Robert hopes to inspire others facing similar struggles.
“If this book saves one person and brings one person to Christ, it’s done its job,” he said. “If it saves two, then it’s done twice its job.”
He also has a message for parents of children battling addiction.
“Do not stop,” he urged. “Never quit. How far would you go to save a person’s life? You have to give it over to God and trust Him to guide you.”
For those people over 50 struggling to find their purpose, Robert’s advice is to rely on prayer, but also take action.
“Listen to God and take the first step he shows you. Volunteer, get involved, and use your skills to make a difference,” he said. “We are not designed to just sit around; we are designed to serve.”
Looking ahead
As for what’s next, Robert is leaving that up to God.
“My prayer is, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’” he said. “If God says, ‘Write another book,’ then I’ll do it. If he says, ‘Do something else,’ then I’ll do that too.”
At 78, Robert shows no signs of slowing down. His life’s journey — from raising his daughter as a single parent to creating Christian ministries and writing impactful books — serves as an inspiration to anyone seeking purpose after 50.
“The past is past,” he said. “What matters is how we move forward.”
For Robert, moving forward means continuing to share his story of faith, resilience and the unyielding power of love.
For more information
People can connect with Robert through various platforms:
- Website = www.robertnruesch.com
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/robert.ruesch
- LinkedIn = www.linkedin.com/in/robert-n-ruesch-9a028215
Robert and Jennifer’s book, “The Long Road Home: A Family’s Journey Through Addiction,” is available on Amazon and in other bookstores.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.