living large winter 2016 2017

Living LargeWINTER 2016-2017DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN RECOVERY

A PUBLICATION OF RECOVERY ALLIES OF WEST MICHIGAN

In 1982, in response to the growing number of children in foster care throughout the country, Congress passed the Family Reunification Act. As its name implies, the purpose of this act was to increase the number of children return-ing to their biological parents following foster care. At that time, there were approximately 260,000 children in the na-tion’s foster care system. Now over twenty five years later, there are over 400,000 children in foster care in the United States!

Why is it that the net result of an act of Congress intend-ing to increase the rate of reunication has been to increase the number of children in foster care by over 144,000?

While there may be several factors, chief among them has been the failure to address the main reason children are removed from their homes in the first place. For years, it has been understood that 75% of the children in our fos-ter care system have parents with untreated substance use disorders.

Some communities have chosen to address this issue in a variety of ways. Fortunately, West Michigan is one such community. On October 1, 2016, the Safe Passages Pro-gram opened—offering recovery support services to biolog-ical parents within Kent County’s foster care system. These services are funded by a grant through the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and provided through a partnership of D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s and Recovery Allies of West Mich-igan.

The Safe Passages Program offers the recovery support services of a certified recovery coach to a parent whose child is in foster care. The goal of the program is to significantly increase the rate of reunification of children in foster care with their biological parents. Currently, less than 40% of these children return to their homes; the goal of the Safe Passages Program is to return 66% of these children to their families.

In this issue of Living Large, you will read about one of the recovery coaches in the Safe Passages Program. Her name is Brooke Bouwman. Like all recovery coaches, Brooke has “lived experience,” meaning she has had her own struggles with mood-altering substances and the foster care system. More importantly, she has had her own triumphs as well. Brooke’s story recounts those elements of her own recovery that made a very real difference and ultimately led to the restoration of her family. And, as you might expect, those are the very things she tries to bring to her clients.

As most of us in the recovery community know, there can be many different elements of recovery beyond sobriety: employment, housing, legal assistance, transportation, and physical well-being to name a few. Not everyone needs the same things—except, of course, one thing: hope. That is the most important element Brooke and her fellow recovery coaches will provide abundantly.

The reunification rate for foster care cases in Kent County is 38%. This means 38 out of 100 children get to go home with mom or dad. It also means 62 out of 100 children do not. My name is Brooke Bouwman and am a person in long term recovery. For me that means I have not had any mind or mood altering drugs for over 3 years. I am also a proud mother of two beautiful daughters. Ar-ianna is 3 and one of the 38 able to come home with her parents. Lainey is 11 and one of the 62 not returning home with her parents.

Lainey was placed in foster care services with my sister Melissa in 2007 when she was 18 months old. A CPS and foster care case were opened at that time. I was addict-ed to drugs and not ready to quit. After a year of trying to get well, going to multiple inpatient treatment centers and mutual aid groups, I surrendered my parental rights to avoid termination.

I continued using drugs and continued entering inpa-tient treatment facilities as well. For many of us it’s as if we are divided into two parts, one part that can’t fathom getting well and one that won’t quit trying. I would con-sistently get successfully discharged only to pick right back up from where I had left off each time.

In February of 2013 I became pregnant. Again. There were not many, if any, who believed my partner and I could be parents to this child. I tried to convince myself to consider other options, either to terminate the pregnancy or consider adoption at birth, but I could not. I wanted to be a mother.

During my pregnancy I did the best I could at that time. I rationalized using prescriptions medications (illegally) because it was not heroin or crack. About 9 weeks be-fore my due date I moved back to my hometown. The supports were too little and the temptations too strong. I began using heavily.

I went into labor on September 17, 2013. I was treated like any other mother at first. While trying to give me an IV, the nurse saw the tracks and bruises lining all the veins in my hands and arm. I was asked, “Are you an IV drug user?” There are many instances when a person addicted to drugs and or alcohol will tell you that telling the truth didn’t work out for them. This was one of those times. Through tears I said with all honesty, “Yes. I am addicted to heroin and crack. I just want you to know so this baby can receive the best possible care you can provide.” Unfortunately after that, I was treated very dif-ferently. The atmosphere changed in the hospital room. They were no longer smiling. My partner Ryan was told he was not allowed to hold my hand any longer while the planned C-section was performed. He was told to sit in the chair across the room and be quiet. Hospital securi-ty came in and our room and all of our belongings were searched. What was supposed to be one of the bright-est days of our lives had turned very dark and dreary. Of course I knew it was because of the choices I had made. I just didn’t know why I made the choices I had.

THE SAFE PASSAGES PROGRAM:

HOPE FOR CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

ONE OF EACH

RecoveryALL IES

ADVOCATE • CELEBRATE • EDUCATE

recoveryallies.usKevin McLaughlin, Executive Director

Recovery Community Organization (RCO)Phone: 616-226-6567• Email: [email protected]

r a

Around 1:00 am on September 18, 2013 my youngest daughter, Arianna, was born. She was born addicted to heroin and crack. Later in the after-noon that same day a CPS worker came and delivered the message that we would need to be in court the next day. I was going to be given six weeks until termination of my parental rights. I was terrified of that. I was also asked many questions. I talked about the 17 treatment centers I went to and had been successfully discharged from. I talked about recovery. I talked about how I had confidence that I could get well and raise a child. I talked about how I had not given up. I talked about how I knew that no matter what, I can never quit quitting. I could never quit trying to change my life. What I found, though, was that the very argument ‘I have never quit quitting’ which I thought was showing my conviction to getting better, seemed to cement the case that I was ‘untreatable’.

Arianna was treated with great care and only needed treatment for one day as opposed to the sometimes two weeks needed. This comforted me. Mothers who go through this share how the guilt and shame are so over-powering all hope can be lost. For some reason, this time I had hope. Ryan was given a drug test and was cleared to take Arianna home with him.

Two weeks prior to my termination hearing, a CPS case was opened for Ryan. Since he had no previous cases with CPS and foster care services, he received the typical one year to get well. Because they were giving him that time,

Continued on page 2

Ryan and Arianna

WNTER 2016-2017 n Living Large 2

What is LifeRing?LifeRing Secular Recovery is an abstinence-based, worldwide network of individuals seeking to live in recovery from addiction to alcohol or to other non-medically indicated drugs. In LifeRing, we offer each oth-er peer-to-peer support in ways that encourage personal growth and continued learning through personal empowerment. Our approach is based on developing, refining, and sharing our own personal strate-gies for continued abstinence and crafting a rewarding life in recovery. In short, we are sober, secular, and self-directed.

it was decided I would receive that much time as well.

On December 4, 2013 I entered treatment. Ryan was arrested that same day. We did not know it at that time, but this is the day we entered long term recovery.

After 101 days I was successfully discharged from inpa-tient treatment. I think the difference this time was what happened after discharge. I was very dedicated to being the best mom I could be. I utilized multiple different pathways to maintain my recovery. These included Vivit-rol, mutual aid groups, individual therapy, church, medi-tation, recovery housing, and a recovery coach. Although all of these played a role in my recovery, the presence of a recovery coach was critical. During the overwhelming process of putting a shattered life back together, one can and does experience periods of hopelessness. Sometimes as in my case we are putting a life back together that has new components. I had never really been a mother before. I had never really had to budget money or plan meals. I was suddenly going to have to be an adult! It was not real-ly ‘me against the world’; it was more like ‘me and how do I survive in the world’. The coach was there during all of this. So while my therapist was helping with the ‘me’ stuff, the coach helped with ‘world’ stuff. Together they helped to turbo charge my recovery.

In October 2014, my youngest daughter was returned to our care. She moved into an apartment with her father

Continued from page 1 and me. At the time, I was managing three women’s re-covery houses in Grand Rapids. Her father has a fantastic job working for good people as a siding installer.

Today I work as a Recovery Coach for Recovery Allies of West Michigan within the Safe Passages Mentoring pro-gram. The goal of the program is to increase the family reunification rate within the Kent County foster care sys-tem by providing comprehensive peer-based substance use disorder services for families. Giving back helps to make sense of all of the suffering I endured. I am grateful.

My oldest daughter is now in Junior High. She still resides with family members. Lainey and I have a very good relationship. She knows I am her mother and she calls me “Mom”. She is able to spend a lot of time with her younger sister. I have talked to her about the Safe Passages Mentoring Program and the work we are doing. I told her about the statistics. I could see the thinking going on in her head. I asked her how it felt to know she was one of the 62 children who didn’t get to live with her parents, while her sister is one of 38 who was able to go home with her parents. Her response, “I don’t like those numbers, Mom. Maybe we had to go through this expe-rience because we were strong enough to make it. There are probably people out there who aren’t, so now you and your team will be able to be able to help them not to ever have to feel that way”.

The essence of what a Recovery Coach does.

Brooke and Lainey

Women For Sobriety, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women overcome alcoholism and other addictions. It is, in fact, the first national self-help program for women alcoholics. Our “New Life” Program helps achieve sobriety and sustain ongoing recovery. WFS has been providing services to women alcoholics since July, 1976. The WFS “New Life” Program grew out of one woman’s search for sobriety. WFS self-help groups are found all across this country and abroad. Based upon a Thirteen Statement Program of positivity that encourages emotional and spiritual growth, the “New Life” Program has been extremely effective in helping women overcome their addictions and embrace a new positive lifestyle. For additional support, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Sobering Thoughts, which is available free electronically through our Email Updates Service.

Jean’s BioDr. Jean Kirkpatrick couldn’t cope with the fact that she was the first woman to receive the Fels Fellowship award at the University of Pennsylvania, so she went out and got drunk. Fearing that a mistake had been made and the funds to write her doctoral dissertation would be taken away, Dr. Kirkpatrick broke 3 years of sobriety with a drunk that lasted 13 years.

In Turnabout: New Help For The Woman Alcoholic, Jean Kirkpatrick describes these years, the self-destruction and how she finally was able to stop drinking.With her own sobriety established by methods other than the traditional AA Program, Dr. Kirkpatrick formed the organization and Program, Women for Sobriety, Inc. in 1975 and has since devoted her life to helping women alcoholics.

WFS “New Life” Acceptance Program1. I have a life-threatening problem that once had me. I now take charge of my life and my disease. I accept the responsibility.2. Negative thoughts destroy only myself. My first conscious sober act must be to remove negativity from my life.3. Happiness is a habit I will develop. Happiness is created, not waited for.4. Problems bother me only to the degree I permit them to. I now better understand my problems

and do not permit problems to overwhelm me.5. I am what I think. I am a capable, competent, caring, compassionate woman.6. Life can be ordinary or it can be great. Greatness is mine by a conscious effort.7. Love can change the course of my world. Caring becomes all important.8. The fundamental object of life is emotional and spiritual growth. Daily I put my life into a proper order, knowing which are the priorities.9. The past is gone forever. No longer will I be victimized by the past. I am a new person.10. All love given returns. I will learn to know that others love me.11. Enthusiasm is my daily exercise. I treasure all moments of my new life.12. I am a competent woman and have much to give life. This is what I am and I shall know it always.13. I am responsible for myself and for my actions. I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.To make the Program effective for you, arise each morning fifteen minutes earlier than usual and go over the Thirteen Affirmations. Then begin to think about each one by itself. Take one Statement and use it consciously all day. At the end of the day review the use of it and what effects it had that day for you and your actions.

Living Large n WINTER 2016-2017 3

MAY BREAK MY BONES BUT WORDS...

- A CALL FOR CLINICAL (AND PEER) HUMILITY -The following is a blog post by Bill White that can be found at www.williamwhitepapers.com

The history of addiction treatment includes a pervasive and cautionary thread: the poten-tial to do great harm in the name of help. The technical term for such injury, iatrogenesis (physician-caused or treatment-caused illness), spans a broad range of professional actions that with the best of intentions resulted in harm to individuals and families seeking assistance. My recounting of such insults within the history of addiction treatment also includes the observa-tion that such harms are easy to identify retro-spectively in earlier eras, but very difficult to see within one’s own era, within one’s own treat-ment program, and within one’s own clinical practices.

The challenges for each of us who work in this special service ministry and for the specialized industry of addiction treatment include conduct-ing a regular inventory of clinical and admin-istrative policies and practices to identify areas of inadvertent harm, altering conditions linked to such harm, making amends for such injuries, and developing mechanisms to prevent such injuries in the future. In my own professional life, many of the projects in my later career were products of such an inventory and served as a form of amends for actions I took or failed to take in my early career due to lack of awareness or courage.

There have also been times I have taken the larger field to task for practices I deemed harm-ful. I have suggested at times that what were perceived as personal failures to achieve lasting recovery could be more aptly characterized as system failures. I have suggested at times that the field was becoming addicted to professional power and money and that the field itself was in need of a recovery process that should include processes of rigorous self-inventory, public con-fession, and amends.

The shift from acute care models of addiction treatment to models of sustained recovery man-agement (RM) and recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC) involves dramatic changes in clinical practices, including a shift in the basic relationship between the service provider and service recipient. The service relationship within the RM/ROSC models shifts from one dominat-ed and controlled by the professional expert to

a sustained recovery support partnership, with the provider serving primarily as a consultant to the service recipient’s own recovery self-man-agement efforts. Those who have made this relational shift inevitably look back on areas of potential harm that emerged from the expert relational model they once practiced. And then the question inevitably arises, “How does one make amends for past harm in the name of help within the context of addiction counseling?”

Chris Budnick, an addictions professional in North Carolina and founding Board Chair for Recovery Communities of North Carolina, Inc. (RCNC), recently responded to that question by preparing a formal letter of amends to the individuals, families, and communities he has served. Below is the text of that letter, which was presented at the North Carolina Recovery Advocacy Alliance Summit, February 24, 2016. (The link to the video is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5MYhZbnhfU)

My name is Chris Budnick and I am a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. I first began work-ing in the addiction treatment and recovery field in 1993.

There are many components involved in the broad issue of substance use disorders and re-covery. Employers, first responders, the crim-inal justice system, policy makers, politicians, companies, advertisers, treatment providers, addiction professionals, the recovery communi-ty, families, and the individual with the sub-stance use disorder. Of all these components, individuals with substance use disorders face the greatest scrutiny, stigma, discrimination and blame. For too long they have stood alone bearing the full brunt of this responsibility while systems of care and policies impacting housing, education, and employment have largely conspired to undermine any chance of sustaining recovery.

Last week I found myself approaching a police department to apologize for failing them. When they reached out to us in the middle of the night seeking services for a young woman we told them “no.” “We can’t help her tonight.” She was killed within hours of this decision leaving behind a 2-year-old daughter. I told the officer Continued on page 4

that we pledge to do better.

This experience has nudged me to put to paper ideas that I’ve articulated and ideas I’ve only contemplated. I feel compelled as an addiction professional to make amends and pledge to do better.

While I have changed my attitudes and practic-es over the years, I have not spoken up to say I’m sorry. So here are the things I want to make amends for:

I’m sorry for all the barriers you confront when trying to access help.

I’m sorry for contradictory “sobriety” and “active use” requirements you encounter when trying to access services.

I’m sorry for the harm that has come to you, your family, your unborn children, and your community when you have not been provided services on demand.

I apologize for expecting that you will provide all the motivation to initiate recovery when I have assumed no responsibility for enhancing your readiness for recovery.

I am sorry for creating unrealistic expectations of you.

I’m sorry for provider success statistics that have misled you and your family.

I’m sorry that I have discharged you from treatment for becoming symptomatic.

I’m even more sorry, though, for abandoning you at your time of greatest vulnerability. And I am sorry for how this failure has contributed to the heartbreak of your loved ones.

I am sorry for abandoning you when you have left treatment, either successfully or unsuccess-fully.

I am sorry for the irritation in my voice when you have returned following a set-back because you didn’t do everything that I told you to do.

I am sorry for my arrogance when I’ve as-


sumed that I am the expert of your life.

I am sorry for privately finding satisfaction in your failure because it reinforces the fallacy that I know best and if you just do as I say, you’ll recover.

I am sorry for not celebrating as enthusiastical-ly your successes when you have achieved them through a different pathway or style then me.

I am sorry for being a silent co-conspirator for the stigma that has resulted in systems of punishment and discriminatory policies and practices.

I’m sorry for turning you away from treatment because you’ve “been here too many times.”

I’m sorry for not referring you to different services when you have not responded to the services I offer.

I am sorry for allowing you to take the blame when treatment did not work instead of defend-ing you because you received an inadequate dose and duration of care.

I am sorry for reaping the benefits of recovery yet failing to do everything I can to make sure those benefits are available to anyone, regard-less of privilege, socio-economic status, educa-tion, employability, and criminal history.

I’m sorry for being an addiction professional who has not provided you with the recovery supports needed to sustain recovery. More

importantly, I apologize for conspiring through silence and inaction with a system that ill pre-pares you to achieve success.

I’m sorry for not calling to check on you when you don’t show up for treatment.

I’m sorry for not calling to support you after you leave treatment.

I’m sorry for letting society maintain the belief that you used again because you chose to.

I’m sorry for not fighting for adequate treat-ment and recovery support services. All persons with substance use disorders should be entitled to a minimum of five years of monitoring and recovery support services.

I’m sorry for not advocating for you to have op-portunities to gain safe and supportive housing and non-exploitive employment.

I am sorry for being so self-centered that I only think about you in the context of treatment while failing to fully understand the environ-mental and social realities of your life and how they will impact your ability to initiate and sustain recovery.

I am deeply sorry to your loved ones who have been robbed of chances to have a healthy mem-ber of their family. I am deeply sorry to your community, who has been robbed of the gifts that your recovery could have brought them.

I’m sorry that systems of control and punish-

ment has been the response to communities of color during drug epidemics.

I am sorry that through my silence and inac-tion that I have contributed to belief that per-sons with substance use disorders are criminals and should be punished.

I am sorry for not speaking as a Recovery Ally to families, friends, neighbors, colleagues, policy makers, and public officials about why I support recovery.

I’m sorry for all the things that I have left off this list because I’ve failed to regularly solicit your feedback about how effective I have been in supporting you in your recovery.

This sorrow is the foundation of my commit-ment to improve the accessibility, affordability, and quality of addiction treatment and recov-ery support services and to create the commu-nity space in which long-term personal and family recovery can flourish.

Chris Budnick Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist

This is a remarkable statement worthy of em-ulation. I look forward to the day when leaders prepare such a statement of amends to indi-viduals, families, and communities on behalf of American addiction treatment institutions. I look forward to the day when clinical humility becomes a foundational ethic guiding the prac-tice of addiction counseling.

Continued from page 3


1. Some Assembly Required, Psychology Today, https://www.psy-chologytoday.com/blog/some-assembly-required

2. The Fix, http://www.thefix.com3. Addiction Blog, http://alcohol.addictionblog.org4. Partnership News Blog, http://www.drugfree.org/newsroom/5. Smart Recovery, http://blog.smartrecovery.org/6. Cathy Taughinbaugh, http://cathytaughinbaugh.com/blog/7. Sober Nation, http://www.sobernation.com8. Sober Julie, http://www.soberjulie.com 9. B Here Today, http://bheretoday.com 10. Spiritual River, http://www.spiritualriver.com 11. Chipur, http://chipur.com 12. Breaking the Cycles, http://www.breakingthecycles.com 13. Into the Heart of Addiction, http://newlifehouse.com/into-the-

heart-of-addiction/ 14. Castle Craig Hospital, http://www.castlecraig.co.uk/blog 15. Addiction Today, http://www.addictiontoday.org 16. Sober College, http://sobercollege.com 17. Selected Papers of William L. White, http://www.williamwhitepa-

pers.com/blog 18. Sort My Life Solutions, www.smyls.co.uk/19. Tommy Rosen.com, http://www.tommyrosen.com/yoga/

blog-standard/20. The Addict’s Moms, http://addictsmom.com/profiles/blog/list21. Drinking Diaries, http://www.drinkingdiaries.com 22. Morningside Recovery, https://www.morningsiderecovery.com/

category/blog/ 23. Changing Lives Foundation, http://www.drug-addiction-help-

now.org/blog/24. Canadian Centre for Addictions http://canadiancentreforaddic-

tions.org/why-us/blog/ 25. he Hurt Healer, http://thehurthealer.com/26. Guinevere Gets Sober, http://guineveregetssober.com/27. Growing Up Chaotic, http://growingupchaotic.com/ 28. Discovery Place, http://www.discoveryplace.info/blog 29. Heroes in Recovery, http://www.heroesinrecovery.com/blog/ 30. Paul Garrigan.com, http://paulgarrigan.com 31. Center for Motivation and Change Articles for Families, http://

www.motivationandchange.com/blog 32. The Discovering Alcoholic, http://discoveringalcoholic.com33. One Crafty Mother, http://www.onecraftymother.com34. Your First Step, http://yourfirststep.org/addiction-articles/35. Crying Out Now, http://www.cryingoutnow.com36. Addictionland, http://www.addictionland.com37. 100 Pedals, http://www.100pedals.com/

38. Addiction Inbox,The Science of Substance Abuse, http://addic-tion-dirkh.blogspot.com

39. Parent Pathway, http://parentpathway.com40. Quitting Crystal Meth, http://www.quittingcrystalmeth.com41. Sober Courage, http://sobercourage.com/42. Mrs. D. Is Going Without, http://livingwithoutalcohol.blogspot.

com43. Candace Plattor. M.A., http://candaceplattor.com/blog/44. I’m Just F.I.N.E., http://fine-anon.blogspot.com45. Leaving AA, http://leavingaa.com/46. Recovery Reflections, http://www.recoveryreflections.com47. The Immortal Alcoholic, http://www.immortalalcoholic.blogspot.

com48. Reach Out Recovery, http://reachoutrecovery.com49. All About Addiction, http://www.allaboutaddiction.com50. International Quit and Recovery Registry, https://quitandrecov-

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blog/62. Living in the Shadows in Prince Edward Island, http://shadows-

inpei.blogspot.ca/63. Bye Bye Beer, http://byebyebeer.wordpress.com64. Essentials of Recovery, http://www.essentialsofrecovery.com/65. An Addict in Our Son’s Bedroom, http://parentsofanaddict.blog-

spot.com66. Forever Falling Short, http://www.foreverfallingshort.com.au/67. Palo Recovery, http://www.palorecovery.com/blog-insights/68. Stay Close Blog, http://libbycataldi.com/blog69. The Sober World, http://www.thesoberworld.com70. Drinking to Distraction, http://drinkingtodistraction.com71. Jagged Little Edges, http://jaggedlittleedges.com/72. She is Perfectly Imperfect, http://sheisperfectlyimperfect.com/73. Yoga and Recovery, http://yoga-recovery.blogspot.com74. Barbara Cofer Stoefen, http://www.barbaracoferstoefen.com/75. The Drug Class Blog, http://drugclass.ca

75 AMAZING RECOVERY BLOGS

11 AMAZING RECOVERY PODCASTS1. Smart Recovery and Special Event Podcasts, http://smartrecov-

ery.libsyn.com/webinar-act-smart2. Recovery 101, http://recovery101.podomatic.com/3. Addicted to Addicts, http://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/

addicted-to-addicts-survival-101/4. Growing Up Chaotic, http://growingupchaotic.com/5. The Bubble Hour, http://www.thebubblehour.com/6. 100 Pedals, http://www.100pedals.com/category/addiction-con-

versation-podcast/

7. Sober Conversations, http://recoveryhealthcare.me/category/so-ber-conversations/

8. Recovered Podcast, http://recoveredcast.blogspot.com/9. Addiction Recovery Radio, http://www.addictionrecoveryradio.

com/podcast/10. The Recovery Show, http://therecoveryshow.com/11. Addiction and Recovery Podcast, http://paulgarrigan.podbean.

com/

Introducing mirecovery.info blog


866.852.4001pinerest.org/addiction-services

Recovery is PossiblePine Rest offers a full continuum of addiction services. With one call, we can guide you through the process of inquiry, assessment and admission to the most appropriate level of care. We will assist you with understanding your insurance benefit or what other sources of funding might be available, and we’ll qualify you or your loved one for treatment.

Our commitment is to treat you and your family with a welcoming heart, provide compassion and understanding in time of need and offer hope for recovery through excellent care.

• Individual Outpatient Therapy at 14 licensed locations• Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP) in Grand Rapids and

Kalamazoo• Outpatient Opioid Detoxification• Residential Detoxification• Residential Addiction Services• Short-Term Residential Services• Transitional Recovery Housing• Integrated Substance Use/Psychiatric Inpatient Services • Partial Hospitalization Program• Relapse Prevention Groups• Intervention and Family Services

From introduction to the book- Refuge Recovery is a practice, a process, a set of tools, a treatment, and a path to healing addiction and the suffering caused by addiction. The main inspiration and guiding philosophy for the Refuge Recovery program are the teachings of Siddhartha (Sid) Gautama, a man who lived in India twenty-five hundred years ago. Sid was a radical psychologist and a spiritual revolutionary. through his own efforts and practices, he came to understand why human beings experience and cause so much suffering. He referred to the root cause of suffering as “uncontrollable thirst or repetitive craving.” This “thirst” tends to arise in relation to pleasure, but it may also arise as a craving for unpleasant experiences to go away, or as an addiction to people, places, things, or experiences. This is the same thirst of the alcoholic, the same craving as the addict, and the same attachment as the codependent. Eventually, Sid came to understand and experience a way of living that ended all forms of suffering. He did this through a practice and process that includes meditation, wise actions, and compassion. After freeing himself from the suffering caused by craving, he spent the rest of his life teaching others how to live a life of well-being and freedom, a life free from suffering. Sid became known as the Buddha, and his teachings became known as Buddhism. the Refuge Recovery program has adapted the core teachings of the Buddha as a treatment of addiction. Buddhism recognizes a nontheistic approach to spiritual practice. The Refuge Recovery program of recovery does not ask anyone to believe anything, only to

trust the process and do the hard work of recovery.This book contains a systematic approach to treating and recovering from all forms of addictions. Using the traditional formulation, the program of recovery consists of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. When sincerely practiced, the program will ensure a full recovery from addiction, and a lifelong sense of well-being and happiness. Of course, like every path, you can only get to your destination by moving forward, one foot in front of the other. The path is gradual and comprehensive, a map of the inner terrain that must be traversed in the process of recovery. The path includes daily meditation practices, written investigations of the causes and conditions of your addictions, and how to find or create the community you will need in order to heal and awaken. We have also included stories of people who have successfully recovered with the help of Buddhist practices.

Learn more about Sarah’s story and

about mirecovery at mirecovery.info


SUNDAY9:30AM Balcony Sunday Morning Group9:30AM 1 Expect A Miracle9:30AM 2 Al-Anon Sun A.M.9:30AM 3 Breakfast Group - Cn No Noon Meeting On Sundays 2:00PM A Sunday Serenity Group3:30PM A Sun Big Book Study5:30PM Balcony Friendship Group - C7:00PM 2 Al-Anon Book Study7:00PM C ACOA8:00PM Balcony Young People’s AA8:00PM C Sun Night Beginners Group8:00PM 5 12&12

MONDAY9:00AM A Eyeopener Group9:00AM 1 Breathe Easy9:00AM 2 Al-Anon Steps to Serenity11:00AM C Double Trouble (Mixed Recovery)Noon Balcony Noon Balcony GroupNoon A AA Lunch Group - CNoon B NA-Keep Coming Back Noon 1 Surrender GroupNoon 3 No First DrinkNoon 4 Noon Promises GroupNoon 5 Women’s Stag - AA5:30PM Balcony Friendship Group - C5:30PM C Free Pizza Group8:00PM A Monday Nite AA

8:00PM Balcony Life Club Group (Mens) - C8:00PM 3 NA Open to Change

TUESDAY9:00AM A Eyeopener Group9:00AM 1 Breathe EasyNoon Balcony Noon Balcony GroupNoon A AA Group Issues & TuesdayNoon C AA Beginners Group - CNoon 1 Surrender GroupNoon 2 Al-AnonNoon 3 No First DrinkNoon 4 Noon Promises Group4:00PM Balcony Food Addicts5:30PM 1 Friendship Group - C5:30PM C Free Pizza Group6:00PM 3 Women’s Way Thru Steps - C8:00PM 2 Al-Anon Tues Step Mtg8:00PM 3 24 Hours Group

WEDNESDAY9:00AM A Eyeopener Group9:00AM 1 Breathe Easy9:00AM 2 Courage To Change (Al-Anon)Noon Balcony Noon Balcony Group t Noon A AA Lunch Group - CNoon B NA- Keep Coming BackNoon 1 Surrender Group Noon 2 Al-AnonNoon 3 No First Drink

Noon 4 Noon Promises Group5:30PM Balcony Friendship Group - C5:30PM C Free Pizza Group6:00PM 2 Al-Anon6:30PM 4 Zen Recovery Meeting6:30PM 5 Shoplifters Anonymous7:00PM 3 Powerless Not Hopeless8:00PM Library Women’s Big Book Study8:00PM B Bond Street Group (Mens) - C8:00PM 1 Men’s Stag-Honesty Group8:00PM 2 Al-Anon Wed Mens Stag8:00PM C Barefoot Group-Open

THURSDAY9:00AM A Eyeopener Group9:00AM 1 Breathe EasyNoon Balcony Noon Balcony GroupNoon A AA Lunch Group - CNoon 1 Surrender GroupNoon 2 Al-AnonNoon 3 No First DrinkNoon 4 Noon Promises Group5:30PM Balcony F riendship Group - C5:30PM C Free Pizza Group

n Club Closes At 7:00 pm

FRIDAY 9:00AM A Eye Opener Group9:00AM 1 Breathe Easy Group9:00AM 2 Stepping Stones (Al-Anon)

Noon Balcony Noon Balcony GroupNoon A AA Lunch Group - CNoon B NA-Keep Coming Back Noon 1 Surrender GroupNoon 2 Al-AnonNoon 3 No First DrinkNoon 4 Noon Promises GroupNoon 5 12 & 12 Study (open)5:30PM Balcony Friendship Group - C5:30PM C Free Pizza Group7:00PM Balcony KCCO Speaker Meeting8:00PM A Friday Night AA (Mixed)8:00PM 1 Mens Stag-Honesty Group8:00PM 2 Fri Night Open Al-Anon

SATURDAY8:00AM Balcony Food Addicts9:00AM A Eyeopener Group9:00AM 1 Breathe Easy Group9:00AM 3 John Wayne - Men’s Stag - CNoon A Smart RecoveryNoon Balcony Men’s StagNoon 1 Surrender GroupNoon 2 Al-Anon Sat SunshineNoon 3 Sat Noon Men’s Stag5:30PM Balcony Friendship Group - C7:30PM 1 Narcotics Anonymous7:30PM Balcony Saturday Night Live Speaker

NORTH ALANO CLUB MEETINGS NON-SMOKING FACILITY. CLOSED MEETINGS – C. 1020 COLLEGE NE, GRAND RAPIDS – *GR.ALANOCLUB.ORG

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www.VandenboschCouseling.com


1,2, 3, 4 – A week of the monthB – BarefootC – Closed, addicts onlyH – Handicap accessible

IP – IP discussionLit – Literature StudyO – Open - all are welcomeOP – Open podium

OT – Open topicRR – Round RobinS – Speaker meetingSt – Step Study

S/T – Step/Tradition StudyTi – TicketTr – TraditionsW – 2nd meeting for women

NA MEETING SCHEDULE

SUNDAY7:00PM Principles B4 Personalities Location: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 1025 3 Mile Road NE, Grand Rapids O,H, St(1st) Lit(2nd), T(3rd), Lit(4th & 5th)7:00PM The Path Begins The Journey Location: 1440 Fuller Ave, SE, Grand Rapids7:00PM Open-Minded Group Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church 725 Fuller Ave, Big Rapids OT

MONDAY 8:00AM Sunrise To Sunset Location: Matthew’s House of Ministry 766 7th St. NW, Grand Rapids O, Lit, Basic Text11:00AM No Name Location: Grace Christian Reformed Church 100 Buckley SE, Grand Rapids O, H, LitNoon Keep Coming Back Location: North Alano Club Room B 1020 College Ave NE, Grand Rapids5:30PM Downtown Resting Place Location: Heartside Ministry 54 South Division, Grand Rapids O7:00PM Keeping The Dream Alive Location: Bates Place (next to 1st Christian Ref Church) 650 Bates St SE, Grand Rapids O, OT7:00PM New Beginnings Location: 4242 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids IP (1st) O, OT 8:00PM Open To Change Location: North Alano Club Room #3 1020 College Ave. NE, Grand Rapids

TUESDAY8:00AM Sunrise to Sunset Location: Matthew’s House of Ministry 766 7th St. NW, Grand Rapids (at Alpine) O, OT11:00AM No Name Location: Grace Christian Reformed Church 100 Buckley SE, Grand Rapids O, H, Ti6:00PM Just Hope 1717 Madison Ave, SE, Grand Rapids O, H, Ti7:00PM Progress Not Perfection Location: St. Paul’s Campus Parish 1 Damascus Rd. Big Rapids (on the campus of Ferris State University) C, H, Lit7:30PM Natural Life Location: New Community Church 2340 Dean Lake Drive NE, Grand Rapids

WEDNESDAY 8:00AM Sunrise To Sunset Location: Matthew’s House of Ministry 766 7th St. NW, Grand Rapids (at Alpine) O, Lit (It Works How/Why)11:00AM No Name Location: Grace Christian Reformed Church 100 Buckley SE, Grand Rapids O,H,RRNoon Just For Today Location: Trinity United Methodist Church 1100 College Ave, NE, Grand RapidsNoon Keep Coming Back Location: North Alano Club Room B 1020 College Ave. NE, Grand Rapids5:30PM Downtown Resting Place Location: Heartside Ministry 54 South Division, Grand Rapids O, H, S/T

7:00PM We Qualify Location: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 5333 Clyde Park Ave. SW, Wyoming O (1,3), Lit (2,4), B (5)7:00PM Open-Minded Group Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church 726 Fuller Ave, Big Rapids O, OT8:00PM Surrender To Win Location: Clancy Street Ministry 940 Clancy Ave NE, Grand Rapids 4-RR, 5-S

THURSDAY8:00AM Sunrise to Sunset Location: Matthew’s House of Ministry 766 7th St. NW, Grand Rapids (at Alpine) O, T11:00AM No Name Location: Grace Christian Reformed Church 100 Buckley SE, Grand Rapids O, H, B7:00PM Home Group Location: Lifequest 1050 Fisk St SE, Grand Rapids O, H7:30PM Natural Life Location: New Community Church 2340 Dean Lake Drive NE, Grand Rapids

8:00PM Young In Recovery Location: God’s Kitchen 303 South Division, Grand Rapids O, Lit

FRIDAY8:00AM Sunrise To Sunset Location: Matthew’s House of Ministry 766 7th St NW, Grand Rapids (at Alpine) O, OT, S(1st)11:00AM No Name Location: Grace Christian Reformed Church 100 Buckley SE, Grand Rapids O, H, IP (1st & 3rd), S (2nd & 4th)Noon Keep Coming Back Location: North Alano Club B 1020 College Ave. NE, Grand Rapids5:30PM Downtown Resting Place Location: Heartside Ministry 54 South Division, Grand Rapids O, H, OP (1st)7:00PM T.G.I.F. Location: Trinity Reformed Church 1224 Davis Ave. NW, Grand Rapids O, H, Candle Light7:00PM Staying in the Solution Location: Church of the Holy Spirit 1200 Post Drive NE, Belmont *the 4th Friday of the month is an Open Meeting C, Spkr

SATURDAY11:00AM Sisters of Sobriety Location: Matthews House of Ministry 766 7th St. NW, Grand Rapids (at Alpine) O, Lit, S, W11:00AM Men of Character Location: 1072 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids3:00PM Welcome Back Location: Open Heart Community Church 841 Burton St. SW Wyoming (The entrance is located in the back of the church next to the parking lot.)6:30PM Sat. Night Candle Light Location: Pine Rest Retreat Center Bldg 68th St. and S. Divison, Grand Rapids - Take the main entrance off 68th Street - just east of S. Division The meeting is in the first building on the left in room 175. O, H, S/T (2nd & 4th)

All Meetings are Non-Smoking unless listed Abbreviation Key

Advocacy T-Shirts! They start some conversations,

that’s for sure!

Only $20

Proceeds benefit Recovery Allies. Get yours today! Call 616-254-9988

We’d like to recognize

Susan Rook for her contribution...

it’s her quote!


FELONY-FRIENDLY EMPLOYERSAAMCOACE HARDWAREALBERTSON’SAMERICAN GREETINGSAPPLE INC.APPLEBEE’SARAMARK AVON PRODUCTSBAHAMA BREEZEBASKIN-ROBBINSBED, BATH & BEYONDBEST WESTERNBLACK & DECKERBRAUM’S INC.BRIDGESTONEBUFFALO WILD WINGSCAMBELL’S SOUPCARL’S JR.CARRIER CORPORATIONCEFCOCDWCHICK-FIL-ACHIPOTLE CHRYSLERCINTASCOLGATE-PALMOLIVECOMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTERSCONAGRA FOODSCOPARTCOSTCODAIRY QUEENDART CONTAINERSDEER PARK SPRING WATER CO.DELTA FAUCETSDENNY’SDOLE FOOD COMPANYDOLLAR TREEDIVIZIO INDUSTRIESDR. PEPPERDUNLOP TIRESDUNKIN’ DONUTSDUPONTDURACELLEDDIE V’SEMBASSY SUITESEPSONERMCO, INC.FIRESTONE AUTO CAREFLYING JFOOD SERVICES OF AMERICAFRITO-LAYFRUIT OF THE LOOMGENENTECHGENERAL ELECTRICGENERAL MILLSGEORGIA-PACIFICGOLDEN CORRALGOODMANGRAINGERGREAT CLIPSHANESHH GREGGHILTON HOTELSHOLIDAY INNIBMIHOPIKEA

IN-N-OUT BURGERINTERNATIONAL PAPERINTERSTATE BATTERIESJACK IN THE BOXJIFFY LUBEJIMMY JOHNSKELLY MOORE PAINTSKFCKOHL’SKRAFT FOODSLABATT FOOD SERVICESLONGHORN STEAKHOUSEMCDONALD’SMEN’S WEARHOUSEMETALS USAMILLER BREWING COMPANYMOTOROLANFINORDSTROMO’CHARLEYSOLIVE GARDENPACTIVPAPPADEAUXPEPSICOPETSMARTPFSPHILLIP MORRIS INC.PILGRIM’SPRAXAIRRADISSONRALPH’SRC WILLEYRED LOBSTERRED ROBINREIREPUBLIC SERVICESRESTAURANT DEPOTREYES BEVERAGE GROUPRUBBERMAIDRUBY TUESDAYRUMPKESAFEWAYSAFELITESALVATION ARMYSARA LEESEASONS 52SHELL OILSHOPRITESMASH BURGERSONIC DRIVE-INSONYSUBWAYSYSCOTESLATRADER JOESTYSON FOODSUS FOODSUS STEEL CORPORATIONVOLUNTEERS OF AMERICAWASTE CONNECTIONSWENDY’SWHOLE FOODSWINCO FOODSWYNDHAM HOTELSYARD HOUSE

For more employers visit exoffenders.net

If your company hires us folks... please let us know and we will add you to the list!

CCAR: Recovery Coach Academy®Cost: $500 Dates: WEEKEND EDITION! Location TBD (Grand Rapids)

***Would you like to do the Recovery Coach training but cannot get time off of work? We would like to offer this training over 2 back to back weekends this winter. Dates are Friday evenings, Sat/Sun February 3, 4, 5 and 10, 11 and 12.

Time: Fri. evenings from 5 – 8pm, 9-5 Sat. and Sun. 2 back to back weekends.

The CCAR Recovery Coach Academy© is a 5-day intensive training that focuses on providing individuals with the skills needed to guide, mentor, and support anyone who would like to enter into or sustain long-term recovery from an addiction to alcohol or other drugs.

The materials will provide participants with training that focus on developing and refining skills necessary to responsibly provide the services of a Recovery Coach. This includes learning new and less stigmatizing language, the art of active listening, and understanding your role in the community. The training will provide participants with tools and resources that will give the participants confidence in their ability to provide recovery support services. These resourc-es will provide a base to help link people in recovery, to link people in recovery to needed supports within the community. Along with the materials and lectures, the interaction between participants will be a valuable part of the program.

CCAR Recovery Coach Academy© participants will:

– Describe Recovery Coach role and functions – Understand the stages of recovery – List the components, core values and guiding principles of recovery – Describe the stages of change and their applications – Build skills to enhance relationships – Increase their awareness of culture, power and privilege – Explore many dimensions of recovery of recovery and recovery coaching – Address ethical and boundaries issues – Discover attitudes about self-disclosure and sharing your story – Experience recovery wellness planning – Practice newly acquired skills IN AN EMOTIONALLY SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Who Should Attend? The RCA is open to individuals who have an interest in providing support, mentorship, and guidance to persons with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. Individuals who are interested in the RCA must be approved for participation by their employ-er, a coordinating agency or endorsed by someone in the community that can speak as a ref-erence. RCA participants should themselves be individuals in stable recovery, as it is important to those served, that their coach have a personal understanding of addiction and recovery.

What if I am not a person in recovery? We welcome all individuals in the community who would like a better understanding of what a Recovery Coach does. In the past we have enjoyed the company of social workers, doctors, psychologists, and other clinicians in our RCA. Each individual left with a better understanding about the future of recovery supports.

COST & MCBAP HOURS: The cost of this training is $400.00 and is worth 32 MCBAP hours. Lunch is included for each day of training.

CCAR’s Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaching®

Cost: $200 Dates: January 26 and 27 Time: 9am – 5pm

Location TBD (Grand Rapids) (We chose our location based on class size so thank you in advance for working with us!)

Recovery coaching as a peer-to-peer recovery support service has grown exponentially over the past seven years as seen through the training of over 10,000 coaches. When CCAR designed this course, we sought to address a critical need amongst Recovery Coaches: the issue of ethical considerations. Ethics had been discussed in many Recovery Coach circles; yet formal training has been lacking. This two day training addresses this critical need. Using presentations, small group work, role play and a decision making matrix many areas will be addressed including: defining the coaching service role and functions, coaching standards, issues of vulnerability, ethical decision making, performance enhancement and legal issues. Recovery coaching is not just about knowing skills and content. It is and always will be about the people…your stories, your experiences and the transformation that happens. This is the art of Recovery Coaching.

We hope this course will not only help Recovery Coaches explore ethical considerations that arise when serving others but will help why it is so important to maintain good boundaries when making decisions that both err on the side of the recoveree and err on the side of being generous.

Learning Objectives - Participants will:

• Understand what ethics are and why ethics are so important when performing Recovery Coach Services

• Learn how to stay in your lane as a recovery coach

• Understand the decision making process

• Develop guidelines for making ethical decisions

• Apply the new learning to your every day work as an RC

Please use the the form, at www.recoveryallies.us/recovery-coach-academy/, to register the person who is attending the session.

Trainings Offered By Recovery Allies


The Purpose Of Pathways.There is a Recovery Revolution. Come, be a part.

Remember the Wizard Of Oz? Remember the Yellow Brick Road?Remember the message? Bet you did not remember how powerfully that message connected to the recovery community and those working to conquer a Substance Use Disorder. How could you? That connection has not really been a message that has been shared much at all in the world at large. But, that is starting to change and this iconic and classic film is a surprisingly pow-erful metaphor for it. In the film, the Yellow Brick Road is a pathway for Dorothy and the others to follow to a place where their strongest desires will be fulfilled. For Dorothy it's the desire to be home. To be in a safe place of comfort, security and wellness. It's to be in a place that is familiar and filled with safety. It's a place nearly all of us can relate to, in some form or anoth-er: Home. To get there she and her friends must follow a long road of yellow bricks, a pathway which will have challenges - yes - but ultimately the answers needed to fulfill their desires. Follow the pathway, one step at a time, and the answers will be revealed to allow you to have what you desire. Follow the pathway, carefully and purposefully, and challenges can be overcome and goals realized. Simply follow the pathway and a better state of wellness can be discov-ered, uncovered and explored. That - in a simple form - is the essence of the Path-ways Concept. Follow the pathway and you'll dis-cover that the answers and the empowerment have always been within YOU. We only needed to start to believe this truth. So, what does this mean? What's the core? Well, to best express this I'll need to share a little of my own story. Like millions of Americans I began using alcohol on a regular basis in the late teens and early 20s. For me it was always connected to a sense of celebra-tion: The week is over and now I get to celebrate and reward myself for working hard. Off to the bar. Off to the club. Off to a party or quietly sitting with friends or alone. For me the reasons to use were: 1.

It clicked with me physiologically and 2. It was part of the culture which I lived and embraced. Those first 10 years there was not an issue. The next 11-15 the issue became apparent. The next 16 - 20 the issue became dependency. For me I began to become aware of "an" issue in my early 30s, about 10 years into my drinking. I strived to cut down, to moderate and often did just that. Still, dependency crept up little by little, year by year. By 40 alcohol was a completely destructive force in my life and dependency upon it a perplexing and confusing and ravaging reality. The Wicked Witch was there, in full force. Even with acute awareness that a problem was forming I was unable to prevent the full effects of the problem from exploding into my reality. Why? For me the answer was simple. Over and over and wherever I turned I encountered the same message: 1. You'll never be able to drink again. 2. The only way to wellness is through AA, 12 Steps and a belief in a higher power. 3. Alcohol is different from and not the same as "harder" drugs.I could not swallow this (pun intended) as I did not want to never drink again. Even if that were to be a reality I am an agnostic/atheist so belief in a higher power to yield wellness was simply not an option. It was a double whammy. And, it was a powerful one. Looking back it added years to my struggle. I think it does for many. I believe it does for millions. 12 Step programs work well for many of those whom engage with them but not all. So, what about the rest? What about the percentage of those where the legacy and power of 12 Steps simply does not work and even alienates? It’s a larger number of people than some think. What about them and what do they do once they realize the most famous and accepted pathway to wellness simply is not the pathway for them. In short, in simplistic terms, they just: Follow Another Pathway. Follow however they choose to define their Yellow Brick Road. That's the core of the Pathways Concept and here that concept is: You define you Recovery and you and you alone are in complete control of it. There are a million reasons why people become dependent upon a substance and there are just as many ways to, step by step, leave that dependency in the past. If 12 Step programs work for you then dive into them as deeply as you can. Spirituality and faith are powerful allies when we confront life's most difficult struggles. But, if not, then simply choose a different pathway and different way to connect with and draw support from the recovery community. LifeRing and SMART are two of the primary mutual aid group alternatives to 12 Steps. Others include Women For Sobriety, Seeking Safety, Wellbriety and Refuge Recovery and All Recovery. These mutual aid groups offer both secular and spiritual solutions. And, if something does not work then simply seek out something that does. These options may not be as famous as 12 Steps, nor with the same longevity and legacy, but they are options most may not be aware are there. There are forks and many direc-

tions in your Yellow Brick Road which will still lead to the same Emerald City of wellness and home. Mutual aid groups are extremely powerful in help-ing those to get well from Substance Use Disorder. Very few, including myself, will argue with this. In groups you can realize that dealing with a substance use issue is TYPICAL and something that millions encounter. You are not alone. No question about that no matter how much our society may impact you to feel otherwise. No question about that de-spite whatever stigmas exist. And there are many.But, for some mutual aid support groups just simply are not the way. And - guess what - that's ok too. Strive to identify those things in life which ignite your interests and passions. As clarity comes from physiological wellness, those things in life which make you smile, which make you content, can be-come powerful pathways to wellness, too. For me I made the decision to gain as much from any group as possible. So, I'll go to anything and simply pull whatever I can from it. I take it in. I make it mine. I interpret it however it works for me. I also practice yoga. I'm working on a novel. I read about stuff which interests me until I cannot read any more. I enjoy my morning coffee like I used to enjoy Friday night Martinis. No, not exactly the same way. I don't get the same dopamine high as I did from those strong alcoholic beverages on the weekend. But, I do get a smaller high each and every single morning of the week. It's amazing. It's one of my pathways. I'm still walking on my Yellow Brick Road. Across the way I see Dorothy and her friends walking in the same direction but on a different pathway. Turning the other direction I see many faces I've met on my journey, each walking on her or his own pathway. Turns out there is not just one or two like I believed for most of my life. There are hundreds. There are thousands. There are hundreds of thousands. There are millions. There are as many pathways in recovery as there are humans alive on this beautiful planet. Never saw that one coming. Perhaps the reason why is that the Emerald City of wellness gleams brightly in both the sun and moon-light. The glare and reflections coming from a place of wellness can be powerful. Yep, it's that good. That glare and reflection are so powerful it took a while for me to notice the countless ways people were all moving towards the same destination. The tide is turning. A Recovery Revolution has just begun. That silly witch is still chasing after but my feet are moving forward just a couple steps each, one day at a time. Come... join along for the journey. How will you define your Yellow Brick Road? In the end... it may not even be yellow. - Douglas Hulst

“The roads to recovery are many and that the resolution of alcoholism by any method should be a cause for celebration

by A.A. members.” – Bill Wilson, 1944


Recovery residences are a safe place to reside while learning

to live a life free of drugs and alcohol. In early

recovery housing is critical. A recov-

ery residence offers rules, structure, ac-

countability, and support.

Today I proudly claim to be a per-son in long-term

recovery. It took me a very long time to be able to earn this title, as I was what may be called a “chronic relapser”. I went to treatment 18 times, only to use within the first 24 hours of discharge after each of those trips. Except for the last.

During my last trip to rehab it was suggested that I move on to a recovery house upon dis-charge. I had all kinds of excuses not to go. “I have a safe place to go with non-using family

members”. “I just did 101 days in treatment, why the heck would I need more?” “I don’t want to live with a bunch of other women whom I don’t know”. All excuses to simply NOT do what was being suggested of me.

I was a person who could thrive in treatment. Tell me when to eat, when to sleep, what group to go to, what topic to talk about and I was set. I had become “institutionalized”. I could talk the talk but could not walk the walk. I did not know how to live in the outside world.

A recovery residence gave me the tools I need-ed to learn to become a responsible, productive member of society. I obtained employment. I learned to cook. I had family like support from my “sisters” in recovery at the house. I did dai-ly house chores. I regularly attended parenting time with my daughters. I learned patience of myself and others. I attended recovery support groups regularly.

All things I still do today. Today I am the Di-rector of Outreach and Women’s Housing man-ager for a group of recovery residences in the

Grand Rapids, MI area. I cook dinner for my family most nights of the week, in our home. I have family like support from my “sisters” in recovery. I have regained full custody of my youngest daughter. I spend regular time with my oldest daughter whom was adopted by a family member. I still practice patience. I still regularly attend and serve for recovery support groups. These are but a few of the many bless-ings I have gained from living in a recovery res-idence.

Bill Wilson, cofounder of Alcoholics Anony-mous once said, “You can’t think your way into right action, but you can act your way into right thinking.” This quote guided me into taking the simple suggestion of moving into a recov-ery residence. A suggestion that may be one of the most pivotal moves in my recovery.

Recovery residences offer people a safe place to start and sustain recovery. The rules, struc-ture, accountability, and support help guide people, like me, into long term recovery by not just thinking about right living; by living their way into right thinking.

RECOVERY RESIDENCES

Our Approach• Teaches self-empowerment and self-reliance • Provides meetings that are educational, supportive and include open discussions • Encourages individuals to recover from addiction and alcohol abuse and live satisfying lives • Teaches techniques for self-directed change • Supports the scientifically informed use of psychological treatments and legally

prescribed psychiatric and addiction medication • Works on substance abuse, alcohol abuse, addiction and drug abuse as complex maladaptive behaviors with possible physiological factors • Evolves as scientific knowledge in addiction recovery

evolves • Differs from Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other 12-step programs

Self-Management for Addiction Recovery

KENT COUNTY RECOVERY HOUSING COALITION - UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY HEALTH FIRST STEP HOUSE – WOMAN’S HOME Contact: Rose Simmons Phone: 616-452-3226 Ext. 3037 Mailing Address: 904 Sheldon Ave. SE E-mail: [email protected] Website: umchousegr.org Home Address: 922 Sheldon Ave. SE

HOUSE OF BLESSINGS – WOMAN’S HOME Contact: Shellie Cole-Mickens Phone: 616-634-1972 Address: 938 Humbolt Street Southeast Grand Rapids, MI 49507 918 Hall Street Southeast Grand Rapids, MI 49507

NEXT PHASE – WOMAN’S HOME Contact: Freddy Martin Phone: 616-450-0686 Address: 368 Senora Ave Southeast Grand Rapids, MI 49508

SACRED BEGINNINGS – WOMAN’S HOMES Contact: Leslie King Phone: 616-890-8278 Home Address: 1165 Hermitage SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 1366 Elliott SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Website: www.sbtp.org

STEP FORWARD RECOVERY HOMES Address: Grandville Area Contact: Jo Ringnalda Phone: 616-662-0881

THE COMFORT HOME Address: South East Grand Rapids area Contact: Ron and Laurie DeBose Phone: 616-459-1930

MY SISTER’S HOUSE (WOMEN IN RECOVERY) Address:761 Bridge Street NW Phone: 616-235-0223

RECOVERY ROAD LLC – MEN’S HOMES Contact Women: Brooke BoumanPhone: 616-710-6956Contact Women: Scott BoroughContact: 616-644-7956Mailing Address: 961 Alpine NW, GR MIE-mail: [email protected]: recoveryroadllc.comHome Address: 961 Alpine NW, GR MI3036 Perry SW Wyoming MI 49519

NEXT PHASE RECOVERY – MEN’S HOME Contact: Freddy Martin Phone: 616-450-0686 Address: 1145 Alexander SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507

FAITH CHARITY RECOVERY CENTER – COUPLES HOME Address: 2219 Horton Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Contact: Dan or ZoeAnn Phone: 616-247-4744 or 616-808-5106

TOUCHSTONE RECOVERY Address: 1328 Maplerow Ave NW Contact: Kevin & Catherine O’Hare Phone: 616-250-8056 Cell: 616-309-3091

PINE REST JELLEMA HOUSE Contact: Derrick Jackson Phone: 616-222-6861 Mailing Address: 523 Lyon Street Grand Rapids, MI 49508

BUILDING MEN FOR LIFE Address: Ottawa County Contact: Jeff Vantrees Phone: 616-795-9969

GRAND RECOVERY Address: PO Box 1060, Grand Rapids, MI Contact: Sanford Cummings Phone: 616-516-6537


LAUGHING Matters

mirecovery.infoRecovery Allies of West Michigan would like to introduce you to a new website. It’s designed to make the search for addiction treatment and recovery supports a little easier. Michigan has many options for treatment of addiction and Recovery Supports. The problem is those options can be tricky for a person to navigate. This is true no matter whether you’re a professional in the field, the one needing the help, or a loved one of the person struggling. This website has hundreds of resources that have been assembled in an easy to use “filtering” system.

If you are in the field, take a look at the site. We welcome your feedback as well as requests to add additional resources.

If you need help for yourself or a loved one, visit the site. If you have more questions call us, if you find it helpful, send us an email sharing why. If you found aspects that could be improved upon, let us know that too.

The project is very new and is a community collaboration involving Grand Rapids Red Project, The Kent County Health Department and our local community mental health agency, Network 180. We welcome feedback, hope you will find it helpful and that you will share with others who will benefit.

Learn more about Marvin’s story and

about mirecovery at mirecovery.info