Celebrating National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
The road to recovery is a journey where bonds are formed. Tracey Price (Left) worked with Nicole Davis as she battled the aftermath of her addiction. Kristy Bock / Neuse News
Held every September, National Recovery Month brings awareness of the many substance use treatment and mental health services available to those struggling with addiction. The road to recovery to many addicts in North Carolina utilize the resources available in the community.
“Losing my kids was terrible for them, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me,” said recovering addict Nicole Davis. Nicole lost her children due to her prolonged drug use that started when she was 15 years old.
North Carolina has a Drug Treatment Court (DTC) that helps offenders who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol receive the intensive treatment they need to become healthy, law abiding, and productive members of society. The goal of DTC is to reduce alcoholism and other drug dependencies, to reduce recidivism, to reduce the drug-related court workload, to increase the personal accountability of the offenders, and to promote effective interaction and use of resources among criminal justice personal.
“Nicole came into my life about two years ago. We went to AA meetings together,” said Tracey Price, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Youth Counselor who went on to sponsor Nicole with her recovery. “Her motivation was her kids, and I admired that so much.”
According to their website, Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.
“I had to learn how to be a mom sober,” said Davis. “I was a little over a year clean when the kids came home. It was all fresh to me.”
After Nicole participated in the Drug Court program, she enlisted the services of Wraparound of Goldsboro. Wraparound is a community-based program working with kids and families in their home and community. Through Wraparound, Davis was introduced to the Kennedy Home to help her get on her feet with her children. Another community service is Eastpointe which is a managed care organization dedicated to working with individuals and families in eastern North Carolina who struggle with substance abuse, mental health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Wraparound is the best service ever. Through Wraparound I found out about Kennedy Home for single mothers and their kids,” said Davis.
Kennedy Home provides residential services for North Carolina children who are experiencing family crisis, abuse, or neglect. Kennedy Home is operated by Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina a nonprofit childcare organization providing residential programs and services through 21 statewide locations and one international orphanage in Xela, Guatemala.
“There is help out there,” said Davis. “You think there is no help, no one out there will give you a chance because you’re a drug user. You have to want it and take that first step.”
Davis is back in school and living at the Kennedy Home with her children. She has developed a strong support system of people invested in her recovery that she met through the programs she utilized to help her recover.
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For information on some of the local programs available: