There Is Hope for Recovery in the New Year

ALBANY, NY (12/31/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today honored the accomplishments that recovery from addiction endowed New Yorkers in 2009 and recognized several dedicated individuals celebrating recovery this New Year who inspire hope to the 2.5 million New Yorkers still struggling with drug, alcohol or gambling addiction.

"Every day, and particularly during the holidays, it is important for New Yorkers to know there is hope for the chronic disease of addiction," said Governor David A. Paterson. "There are thousands of New Yorkers living full and rewarding lives in recovery who can offer inspiration simply by sharing their stories. I stood in a crowd of 10,000 recovery supporters at the Annual Recovery Rally in September and was moved by the magnitude of addiction's reach but moreover by the outpour of support by the communities of New York State."

"Hundreds of individuals from New York to California have shared their stories through the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, and thousands more have joined together to carry the message of hope and the promise of a new day that recovery brings," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "Time and time again, we hear only the struggle of addiction - this campaign shows the light at the end of the tunnel and offers insight into a battle worth the fight. There is no doubt, these individuals are changing and saving lives."

The Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, now in its second year, encourages New Yorkers to share their stories in an effort to celebrate the power of recovery, break the cycle of addiction in those still caught in the grasp of the disease, eliminate unwarranted stigma, and promote lives of sobriety and wellness. In addition to submitting a story of recovery on the interactive website, site visitors can read hundreds of inspirational stories, download campaign posters and watch videos of the 12 tremendous "spotlight stories" highlighted during this year's campaign.

Each story shared at www.iamrecovery.com is unique, but each one holds a common thread of human triumph. Too often, addictive disease is categorized as a disease of choice, and not a chronic disease that requires the level of treatment or monitoring associated with such diseases as diabetes and heart disease. Like other chronic illnesses, alcohol and drug addiction must be managed over a lifetime in order to prevent relapse during stressful times such as the holidays.

"New York State and the entire country have turned a corner; we are witnessing a shift in the way our culture views recovery from addiction," added Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "The individuals who choose to share their stories at www.iamrecovery.com represent the future and the reality of the state's Recovery Movement - they are our hope, inspiration and proof that recovery is real, possible and happening every day in this great state. Through these stories of courage, second chances, gratitude, and potential, New Yorkers will walk proudly in celebration of recovery in a society that welcomes their achievements. My hope is that 2010 will show us that day."

The following Your Story Matters campaign "spotlights" share their hopes for a happy and healthy holiday season and prosperous New Year:

• Juan Martinez, Bronx, 3 years in recovery: This Desert Storm veteran eradicated the foe he had in addiction and found camaraderie in a program specifically designed to help him meet his true potential, without the use of a drink or a drug.

"In my addiction, this time of year was just another excuse to isolate myself, wallow in my self-pity and ultimately try to get high enough to forget my miseries. This is my third year celebrating the holiday season clean and sober. I now look at the holiday season as a time to celebrate life - to reflect on the tremendous strides that I have made in the past year and look to the coming year for further self-improvement. For those of you celebrating recovery, I wish for your continued success and for those still suffering from this disease, I challenge you to take the first step toward the light of recovery by first admitting you have a problem, and then asking for help. It is perhaps the hardest thing you will ever do, but it will be worth it. Trust me, I know."

• Joan Hajjar, Brooklyn, 16 years in recovery: After 15 years of living a nightmare, this Americorps director now has enough gratitude and humility to bring sunshine to those in need of guiding light.

"You're not alone and you don't have to be for the holidays. Recovery is a choice - your choice - and only you can make it. There are plenty of places you can go for support and encouragement in staying sober throughout the holidays such as recovery centers, AA or NA marathons and soup kitchens. The feeling you get from a support system, from listening to others who have also struggled at the hands of addiction, can be so rewarding, that you'll turn to them over and over again. Don't be a prisoner anymore. Take the first step toward recovery and you'll realize you're already on your way out of the darkness and into the light. Give Recovery a chance, and everything else will follow - one step at a time, one day at a time."

• LaQuanda Edgefield, Bronx, two years in recovery: Never a better example of the second chances inherent in living a life of recovery, this young woman searched within her soul to offer her daughter a better life, and in turn, found happiness in the gift of motherhood.

"As we arrive on this new day of the New Year, I pray we all reflect on our past and make an effort to promote our future. The struggle of addiction can be over if you simply let go. For those of you still suffering, know that two years ago, my soul cried out, "Make a change!" My story may be no different than yours. You are not alone and do not have to go through this battle by yourself. I love you and hope that you love yourself enough to ask for help and give recovery a chance - it's not too late to make a change. There is nothing in life permanent, except change."

• Joyce Barrett, Syracuse, 19 years in recovery: The kind-hearted woman who realized caring was the key to overcoming a problem gambling addiction, now realizes the value of patience and the worth in having a choice.

"No one in this world needs to feel ashamed, afraid, lonely, tired, or suicidal during the holiday season. Compulsive gambling is a strong addiction and reeks havoc in our minds during this time of year. I believed if anyone had found out about my addiction two decades ago, they would have hated me. It has been 19 years since my last bet, and because of this, I now look at the holidays differently. I am not alone and I do 'believe in miracles.' I was lost and I am so very grateful to have found myself again in recovery. I understand that I need the help of others, and knowing I am not alone has been a blessing. Please remember that the willingness to having a better life means you have the power to change and the faith needed to see you through the journey. Things can be different, better only if you change. I live my life according to that principle."

• Monroe Parrott, Albany, 27 years in recovery: The guy everybody knew as "Money" on the city streets recognized a calling and found his own healing in delivering the message of recovery behind prison walls.

"I am on 'lifetime parole' to the disease of addiction, but am so very fortunate to be celebrating 27 years in the recovery process. The holidays are still high-risk situations for me and many others, both in new and long-term recovery, and should be respected as such. Since I left prison 24 years ago, I have always utilized the help of Alcathon and Narcathon 24-hour meetings and speaker jam events during the holiday season to protect my recovery at all costs. I would like to wish my recovery community a healthy holiday season and for those still addicted, some hope of the promise of recovery."

"I can look to 2010 with confidence, certain of three basic but powerful principles: Prevention is proven, Treatment works and Recovery is possible," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "By carrying the messages of prevention, treatment and recovery, these stories can reach the 2.5 million New Yorkers still living each day with drug, alcohol or gambling addiction. If you are in recovery or are the friend or family member of someone in recovery, I encourage you to share your story at www.iamrecovery.com, anonymously if you wish, to help spread this message of hope; and to get help for someone in need by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY."

Through efforts such as the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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