Support BDN’s Recovery Project: Be a Recovery Ally

This past spring the One Life Project brought together hundreds of folks who wanted to brainstorm and otherwise show support for addiction recovery throughout our state. We embraced the goal of reducing stigma and expressed our ideas of how to combat addiction in our state.

The challenge now is to sustain an ongoing effort. My brothers and sisters in local 12 step communities excel at this. For them, recovery is truly a matter of life and death (both individually and collectively). Those of us who are not in recovery but who wish to support ongoing efforts may struggle to move beyond our good intentions.

I love being an ally to people in recovery for more reasons than I can possibly list. I get to support one of the greatest things a human being can do and I get to know and befriend some of the most amazing people in the world.

As I considered what I was willing to do to further Bangor Daily’s efforts to support recovery in our communities, I had a line from a favorite poem spring to mind:

“I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love…” – Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Yes. Hells, yes I am. I made the video below almost a year ago when one of the greatest recovery allies I know – BDN’s  Erin Rhoda appealed to folks for positive messages about addiction and she’s asking again:

Her appeal:

Whether you’ve experienced addiction directly or not, you are welcome to:

Submit a written piece of no more than 800 words or a short video (YouTube is best; make sure it’s public) explaining what recovery means to you.

To: erhoda@bangordailynews.com

You are welcome to send your positive message of support and hope directly to me. Writing may be edited before publication. Some pieces may be shared on this local Facebook page dedicated to show people that recovery is within reach or on the #HealthyRegion blog.

Jim LaPierre

About Jim LaPierre

Jim LaPierre LCSW CCS is the Executive Director of Higher Ground Services in Brewer, Maine. He is a Recovery Ally, mental health therapist and addictions counselor. He specializes in facilitating recovery (whether from addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, or past abuse) overcome obstacles, and improve their quality of life. Jim is the cofounder of Sobernow.com an online addiction recovery program that is affordable and provides complete anonymity