They say addiction is a family disease, and one of the reasons I sought out becoming a CRPA is because substance use disorder had its grip on my family since I was a young child. I wanted to bring into this field the same tools and practices that had helped me...

Every day, one, two, maybe just maybe even three different people come to talk to us. Us, the ones that are usually forgotten about. Some of us are here for punitive reasons. Others are here because they were honestly, wrongly convicted. Most of us are guilty of...

Choosing sobriety changed everything. It brought me back to the present fully, intentionally. I can now show up for the people in my life, even when they don’t respect the boundaries I’ve set. And yes, that bothers some of them because those boundaries no longer give...

Recovery is not a solo journey.  It’s a path best walked with support, understanding, and connection.  As the Recovery Housing Peer Advocate with THRIVE, I have the privilege of walking alongside individuals in recovery, offering guidance, support, and hope as they...

A Room for Redemption Every other week, I visit the local jail. I walk through a steel door that buzzes, slams, and locks behind me with a sound you don’t forget. It’s not symbolic—it’s real. I pass through security and enter a dorm where men in orange jumpsuits wait...

Spring is nature’s way of reminding us that after every season of stillness, comes a time of growth. Flowers bloom, trees bud, and the world seems to wake up. It’s a perfect metaphor for our own lives.   There will be times when you need to pause. Life might feel...