Our Stories
Share the power of long-term recovery. If you are in recovery, a family member, friend or ally of someone in recovery, we want to hear your recovery story!
Learn more...
Faces & Voices of Recovery's book page
has information on many of the growing number of recovery-related publications. It’s a work in progress, so please let us know of other books that you think we should include. Check it out!
|
Recovery in the News
El Paso woman will help lead Recovery Rally in N.Y.
Erica Molina Johnson
El Paso Times
September 7, 2009
EL PASO -- The state of Texas will be represented by El Pasoan Pat Guerin on Saturday as she helps lead a huge rally of recovering addicts and supporters across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.
Guerin and 50 others were selected to represent their states and Washington, D.C., in the 2009 Recovery Rally, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.
The group of 51 delegates, made up of people who have been in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction for at least 10 years, will lead more than 5,000 people across the bridge for the event. They'll also share their stories of recovery.
Guerin's sobriety began 39 years ago this October.
She was an alcoholic living in Dallas when she began climbing out from under her addiction.
"I wouldn't be alive today if someone hadn't helped me," she said.
Guerin, 71, said her recovery helped encourage her to help others working to overcome their own addictions.
"Addiction is not a moral issue. It's a disease," said Guerin, who is the Access to Recovery coordinator for the Recovery Alliance in El Paso. "I know that's difficult for people to understand because of the behaviors that go with it, but recovery is possible and people can recover and become part of the community again and make a big difference."
Guerin was a licensed chemical dependency counselor for several years. In addition to her current role at the Recovery Alliance, she is an advocate in drug court and helps recovering addicts individually and in groups.
Addiction is an problem that goes beyond her own experience as "a plain old alcoholic."
"Three of my four children are addicted alcoholics and one of them died of this disease," Guerin said. "Ever since his death, which was a long time ago, I got more proactive."
She nominated herself as a recovery delegate to participate in the rally and is ecstatic about being selected.
"I'm excited and a little stunned," the Upper Valley resident said. "I'm at an age and a stage in my life where I really don't care what anybody thinks of me. I want them to see people who are recovering that are just normal people living their lives."
Lydia Smith, development director for the Recovery Alliance, called Guerin a perfect choice to represent the state.
"She has seen this disease in every aspect of its manifestation and has truly evolved into a human being that is committed to service and committed to really carrying the message," Smith said.
Guerin and the 50 other recovery delegates were selected by the A&E television network, in partnership with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Faces and Voices of Recovery, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, and the 2009 Recovery Month Planning Partners.
The A&E network has increased its efforts to raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction through programs like "The Cleaner" and the documentary series "Intervention." Both deal with addiction.
When Guerin returns from the network's rally in New York, she and the Recovery Alliance will be gearing up for its own local rally on Sept. 26.
"It's incumbent upon the community as a whole to acknowledge this is a very prominent reality of not only our community in El Paso, but the nation as a whole," Smith said.
The event is not only for people in recovery and their supporters, Smith said, but also for the entire city.
It will include guest speakers and information from several local agencies. Smith said copies of the alliance's recovery resource guide would be available at the event.
"This is pervasive. It's not just people living under a bridge," Smith said. "The misconception is that addictive illness is a certain strata of our socioeconomic population, and it's not. This is an equal opportunity disease.
Erica Molina Johnson may be reached at emolina@elpasotimes.com; 546-6132.
Make plans
What:"Rally for"Recovery 2009.
When, where:"11 a.m. to 5 pm. Sept. 26, Memorial Park, 1701 N. Copia.
Cost:"Admission to the event is free.
Information:"594-7000.
Get help with your addiction: 775-0505.
Copyright © 2009 by the El Paso Times and MediaNews Group and/or wire services and suppliers.