It can be said it takes a whole community to help get people into recovery and arrest the disease of addiction and provide services for mental health. There are many community Organizations that go into supporting just a single person to accomplish this goal. There is no final destination or finish line. There is only progress and the people you meet on the journey
Read MoreWhen I sobered up in 1977, there was no such thing as dual diagnosis. Depression was dismissed as a “sincere form of self-pity.” … Once, during my first year, I was speaking in a meeting in the basement of the Alano Club, trying to work out something about my self-image, and Don, who enjoyed putting people in their places, stood up and said, “Self-image, schmelf-image! You’re an ALCOHOLIC!”
Read MoreThis is the blog I was never going to write. “Who am I to write about being queer and living with Crohn’s?” I kept asking myself. There are certainly far better LGBTQ+ advocates in the IBD community, people who are confident, showing us excellent examples of positivity and joy.
Read MoreMy name is Terry. I'm an alcoholic. My sobriety date is April 22nd, 1995. I'll give you a little bit of a background on where I came from and what it was like, and then share some recovery tools that have really impacted my life and made me become the person I am today.
Read More“I was given the opportunity to attend a national drug conference in Anaheim, CA with the judge who sent me to prison for the last time. This is the picture that was captured of Judge Bloche and I. WE DO RECOVER!” - Reina Bower, MHAAO’s EVOLVE Director
Read MoreIn honor of Recovery Month 2020, we are highlighting some of our amazing Peer Support Specialists’ recovery stories! Thank you to all of those in recovery who continue to show up for their peers and be a beacon of hope in these difficult times!
Read MoreMy childhood dream was “the American dream:” a house and a family. I never really had stability growing up. Now that I have arrived, it feels so strange to be where I want to be. It’s scary and it feels good at the same time. My sister tells me to be in the moment and allow it to happen. My wife and I keep telling each other “I love this house!”
Read MoreDemarkus shares his story on going through MHAAO’s /Youth & Young Adult Peer Mentoring Program through OPTIC.
Read MoreMy peer support specialist worked closely with me over 13 months. We worked together to build up a positive support system in my life and find permanent housing and a better job. His help with navigating the DHS child welfare system and with helping me learn how to advocate for myself and my children was invaluable.
Read More“My turning point was my fifth hospitalization, when the IMPACT team came into my room to see me. They were kind and supportive, just like the first time they met me.” - Brandy Fishback
Read MoreIt’s nice to be able to remind people that it can be worse. Not to be a martyr, but this is a real life example of what alcohol can do to you. I call it winning the unlucky lottery.
Read MoreOne of the things I love about being a peer support is getting to hold on to hope for people when they are in a state where they’re feeling really hopeless. I was lucky enough to have people in my life who have loved me and been there to hold on to hope for me when I felt really hopeless and I felt like there was nothing to live for.
Read MoreJessica Carroll is volunteering her time as a counselor to help people facing addiction and homelessness.
Read MoreWOW! Watch her story then read. This Fit for Excellence testimony is one of power, courage, and strength.
Read MoreWhen O’Nesha Cochran teaches medical residents about adverse childhood experiences in patients, she doesn’t use a textbook.
Instead, the Oregon Health & Science University peer mentor walks in the room, dressed in what she describes as the “nerdiest-looking outfit” she can find.
Read More
