State Launches www.iamrecovery.com for Those in Recovery to Share Their Story

ALBANY, NY (01/25/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced a new website initiative, www.iamrecovery.com, to highlight stories of recovery from alcoholism, drugs or problem gambling.

Through the online "Your Story Matters" initiative, the state will support a growing movement of recovery advocates in New York, one that sheds stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness for the untold numbers of individuals in recovery.

"The website initiative is one more step to spread the recovery movement far and wide so that others who are struggling with addiction can celebrate a life in recovery," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "Anyone in recovery, or the friends and family of someone in recovery, can submit a story to tell the world that long-term recovery from the chronic disease of addiction happens every day," the Commissioner said.

Individuals can share their stories through www.iamrecovery.com of the OASAS Web site. The stories will be posted on the website and stored in a Recovery Stories Bank which can be searched by viewers. The stories submissions do not require any identification in the submission, other than a first name and last initial, in order to respect those who wish to remain anonymous.

In a keynote address at the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State, Inc.'s annual conference, Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo introduced two additional New Yorkers who are part of a New York state media campaign that highlights 12 individuals who publicly share their stories of recovery.

Scott Clark, Sports Director and Anchor of Eyewitness News at WABC, shared in his story that he had not had a drink or drug since 1992. Clark said, "Today, I try to help others who suffer from this disease, and that action helps me to stay clean and sober."

The twelfth individual added to the "Your Story Matters" campaign is Joyce Love, of Albany, an addictions treatment professional at Saint Peters Addiction Recovery Center, who is celebrating 19 years in recovery from heroin abuse. In her story she says, "My mission in life is to help and serve others whose lives have been destroyed by the disease of addiction and to help and educate them that there is a better way and we do recover."

All 12 individuals' stories and faces can be viewed at www.iamrecovery.com.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo continued, "We want to make sure all stories are echoed throughout the state and nation to raise awareness and understanding about recovery. Our goal is to have a story of recovery highlighted each day of the year. I call on all individuals to please share your story, every story is important and matters."

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services programs, with 1,550 prevention and treatment providers. Through efforts such as the stories campaign, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness for the over 110,000 New Yorkers it serves each day.

For further information about Recovery, go to the OASAS Recovery pages. For assistance with an alcohol or substance abuse problem, call the addictions helpline at 1-800-522-5353. For help with a gambling problem call 1-800-437-1611 or visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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