Chris Howard is a passionate advocate for long-term recovery and mentorship for individuals and families struggling with addiction and mental health disorders. As a Los Angeles native, Chris understands the devastating impact of addiction on families, having grown up in a home with a mentally ill mother. As a young man, he turned to drugs and alcohol because of the euphoric experience he had and to cope with boredom. After more than a decade of struggling with addiction, Chris was forced to make a change in 2009.

Initially, Chris was not focused on embracing long-term sobriety; he simply wanted a better life than the day-to-day struggle of active addiction. However, after roughly six months of staying clean and sober, he discovered a newfound sense of purpose in giving back to the community, and this transformed his life. He found tremendous benefit in a highly structured sober living environment and utilized it to change his life in monumental ways.

Chris continued his mission in recovery as a Director of a prominent sober living house in 2010. Here, he learned the importance of long-term mentorship and the power of community support in helping individuals regain their integrity, responsibility, and joy in sobriety. He went back to school, earning a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA in 2013 and volunteering at a social justice research lab at UCLA to better understand the dynamics of social change.

Today, Chris serves as a mentor and counselor at Ethos Recovery, utilizing his personal and professional experience to support young men on their journey to recovery. He is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC- III) and a Certified Case Manager Interventionist (CCMI) committed to helping individuals and their families thrive in long-term recovery.

Local to Southern California, I have been rooted in the greater Los Angeles area since elementary school. Over the years, I have worked in many different fields from the grocery store, to finance, to Computer Engineering/IT and Digital asset management in the Music Industry. In the end none of them fulfilled me with purpose, just a paycheck. I have always been driven to grow, motivated with a good work ethic and continue to strive for more.  

Over the years I have struggled with my own addictions. I broke my back in 2006 in a motor accident and struggled going in and out of rehab for years. I finally took the step toward a better future and went through Ethos Recovery Program, once I did that, I fell in love with process and helping others turn their lives around. In a continuous pursuit of knowledge and personal growth, I decided to expand my expertise by pursuing higher education in social work and mental health. I started going to school to improve my understanding of addiction and to better assist those who struggle with addiction. I am the Program Director for Ethos Recovery and a Certified Case Management Interventionist (CCMI) committed to understanding the complexities of addiction while finding compassionate approaches to help individuals recover and create a life of passion, principle, and purpose.  

Working in the addiction/mental health field, I understand the importance of balance. This philosophy extends beyond the work environment. Finding balance with family, friends, and self-care. Ever since I was a child, I’ve found serenity and joy in being in the Great Outdoors. I grew up playing team sports, exploring mother nature from the beach to the mountains. To maintain balance in my life today, I engage in some level of exercise daily, from yoga, going to the gym, a hike in the local mountains, surfing near Manhattan beach or an afternoon on the golf course with some good friends, I love being active and trying new activities. Along with fitness and exercise, I also love to get in touch with my creative mind, one of my favorite hobbies is photography. I love the journey of finding a picture, the sound of the shutter clicking at the snap of a photo and transforming images into beautiful pieces of art. This connection to the environment and creativity aligns with my commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing space for recovery.  

Thankyou for taking a couple minutes to learn more about me, and I hope, one day, I will have an opportunity to learn more about you.

Ethos helped me change the trajectory of my life after years of failing to do it on my own. Having experienced success with this process myself, and seeing it work for others as well, I wanted to be part of helping others change their lives. With over five years of sobriety and over 3 years as part of the Ethos team I have the chance to positively affect the guys that landed here after they struggled to figure out how to move forward just like I did.

Over three years ago, I embarked on a transformative journey towards a healthier lifestyle, endeavoring to overhaul deeply ingrained habits. A dedicated year was committed to profound self-exploration, introspection, and a sincere commitment to personal evolution. During this process, I unearthed a profound desire to assist others in their journey towards self-discovery and transformation. Recognizing the delicate nature of mental health and addiction, I aspired to establish a resource that catered precisely to the unique needs of individuals and families grappling with these challenges, facilitating their escape from the cycle of suffering. Thus, the inception of Lifestyle Interventions emerged, an ongoing endeavor aimed at extending a helping hand to those in search of mentorship and guidance in their path to recovery.