National Overdose Day - We have a lot of work to do

Long before there was facebook or twitter, I lost my first friend to an overdose. I was a sophomore in high school when Ross Shalenberg passed away after mixing alcohol with valium. Today, I remember him for the carefree, fun loving kid that he was. He was too young to drive, but not too young to use. He grew up in a family where neither his mother or father was sober. His father was mean when he drank, and I can remember us talking about that while using together. He was trying to numb himself from the abuse he received daily, while I was using to try and escape abuse that had happened earlier in life. I do know that the only times I would see him laugh was when we were using. 

The Truth About Recovery

I have people tell me to sum up recovery for them, "In your opinion, what is recovery?" I find this extremely hard to do. I once heard someone say that recovery was like playing a country music song backwards, because you get back your house, your truck, your dog and your wife. I have gained so much in my recovery, that it is difficult to qualify or quantify what recovery means "for me."

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so instead of telling you what recovery means to me I will show you what it means to me:

Long-Term Recovery: The 5 Pillars of Recovery

What are the 5 Pillars of Recovery? They are 5 things you must have to insure successful long-term recovery. As a counselor specializing in co-occurring disorders, I use the 5 Pillars with all of my clients: eating disorders, chemical dependency, codependency, depression, grief and loss or stagnantion. They are beneficial for everyone.

In the field of recovery, I have found that they are vital. When I have had a client relapse, it was usually because they had not made all 5 of them part of their lives. When I have had a friend who slipped, it was because they stopped doing one or more of them. There is more to recovery than just these 5 things, but I have never seen someone who was actively applying them on a consistent basis relapse. That is how important they are!

Who Am I....Long-Term Recovery: I Am One of Those People!

Hi, my name is David and I am a person in long-term recovery. For me that means I have not used drugs or alcohol since January 31^st, 2009 and since then I have dedicated my life to helping others. I am a husband, father, sponsor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, hope dealer, stigma killer and motivational speaker.

I was abused as a child which led to a lot of mental health issues. I used alcohol and other drugs to escape from my past and feel normal. I was introduced to methamphetamine my senior year dropped out of high school.

Over the next 25 years I died more times than I can count on one hand and went to jail more times than I can count on my fingers and toes. I thought nothing would ever change. Boy was I ever wrong. I asked God for a miracle and He answered that prayer. It was not easy. I had to work for it, so I focused on my recovery like I did my addictions.

I applied the 5 Pillars of Recovery:  

1.    Higher Power

2.    Sponsor

3.    12 Steps

4.    Accountability Partners

5.    Meetings

While applying the 5 Pillars I discovered my past had not broken me, but made me stronger and wiser. Read more about them here: http://betterlifeinrecovery.blogspot.com/2014/12/long-term-recovery-5-pillars-of-recovery.html

Today, I am a counselor for the Greene County, MO treatment courts through Alternative Opportunities Treatment Services. I have 4 college degrees including a Masters of Social Work. I am a role model for my family and the community. I sit on 3 different board of directors for local organizations. I use my past to help other people overcome their hurts, habits and hang-ups. I have gone from dealing dope to dealing hope!

Several years ago I started a nonprofit called Better Life in Recovery (BLiR) because of the stigma regarding addiction, mental health and recovery that permeates our society. BLiR’s mission is transforming lives with recovery. We deal hope and reduce stigma people who struggle with addictions and mental health issues face through community service, education and awareness events that celebrate people in long-term recovery. 

BLiR is growing steadily. In 2012 we did 1 event, in 2013 we did 3 events, 2014 we did 8 events and in 2015 we are aiming for 24. We are currently looking for funding to start a local recovery community center and finish a documentary that will be part of a program that encourages youth and helps them live amazing lives. BLiR is proving that in recovery, we go from draining resources in our communities to becoming one!

Today, I know that the sky is the limit and my goal is to give people who are still struggling the hope that they can achieve sobriety, and the people in recovery the courage to come forward and be proud of who they have become while rejoining their communities! 

I hope you join me in letting others know there is a BETTER LIFE IN RECOVERY!!