The recovery movement comes of age
A first-person account of the White House event celebrating the 25th anniversary of Recovery Month
Holly Cekala, left, with Chris Carter, former NFL player, at the event marking the 25th anniversary of Recovery Month at the White House.
Holly Cekala, center, with Tom Coderre, left, Tom Hill, back, and Mark Ames, from the Vermont Recovery Network.
One of the biggest problems with marijuana is the inability to conduct research because it is rated a Schedule 1 narcotic under U.S. law, making federal research on its potential benefits difficult if not impossible to conduct. There are some proponents who point not to the THC element, but the cannabinoid elements within the plant as a potential potent agent in attacking cancer. Until that designation is changed, the science remains unknown and unproven, and the arguments – about both its potential harm and good – remain a matter of fervor. As those in recovery know, it’s about making good choices and taking personal responsibility for your own actions.
PAWTUCKET – As person in recovery, sending my info to the Secret Service was an interesting endeavor this past week, after being invited to the White House by the Acting Director of the Office of National Drug Policy Control, Michael Botticelli.
I remember a time when I couldn’t get cleared to attend the PTA [no, not the Harper Valley one, but you get the jest].
I remember thinking what a significant change it was during President Obama’s first campaign, which was the first election that my restored voting rights allowed my voice to count. And, here I stood in the White House; I was filled with overwhelming emotions of pride and hope.
I must admit upon my arrival at the event, I was wondering if I would get to the door and find the same stinging reception most of us in recovery have felt in our journey, but it was quite the opposite.
The event had an inspiring and welcoming feel to it. The best part was I did not feel alone in the fancy press room, there were many others there in recovery, including the director himself.
The attendees were accomplished advocates for addiction recovery and mental health wellness from all over the country. I was happy to see so many of them in one room. The event fostered a belief in hope for the future.
I was most impressed by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and former Rep. Patrick Kennedy. We know here in Rhode Island that these civil servants are vigilant in their work for those in recovery and their families, as well as for our veterans.
Here they were able to share that message of hope to a national crowd. There was talk of new legislation that will further serve the recovery community – as well as talk of keeping the service providers, managed care system and insurance carriers in line with the Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act.
Strong Rhode Island presence
Of course, Rhode Island was a strong presence at the event celebrating the 25th anniversary of Recovery Month. We have a strong recovery community, and one of Rhode Island’s own, Tom Coderre, who is an extraordinary advocate for recovery, gives us much hope in his new position as senior advisor at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The panel speakers were comprised of accomplished newscasters, journalists, affluent community members, Hall of Famers and notable public servants – all speaking up about their recovery, and urging folks to reach out for help when they themselves, or their family members, may need such help.
They all set aside the worry of stigma and openly shared their stories of strength and hope. It was amazing.
There was no one demographic more present than any other in the room; the crowd was diverse and rich with hope for the future, a true example of the breadth of communities that substance use disorder affects.
I was excited and moved to see such an event open to those who have been fighting for the rights of those in recovery for many years.
I am always inspired by SAMHSA’s Ivette Torres, [who oversees the team responsible for generating and disseminating mental and substance use disorder treatment information to mission-related constituents]. She has long been a light for our community and continues to shine brightly. Torres spoke at the reception in the Indian Treaty Room [in the Executive Office Building] with such eloquence and strength, a wonderful example to others who choose to advocate for those in recovery.
I found the experience to be a bit surreal and very humbling. There I stood, a woman in recovery, who had only just regained her right to vote, in the White House at our nation’s capital.
I was honored to represent those of us in recovery who are using their recently restored voice to reach out and speak up and vote.
The times, they are changing, and although the whole message of the event was positive, with a “we shall overcome” tone and feel to it, all acknowledged there is still much work to be done. Many of us made the pledge to continue to work hard and support the Recovery Movement.
All in all, it was a very inspiring event and a blessing to be a small part of the village of recovery helping folks to get well, and for communities – in Rhode Island and nationally – to overcome with the belief that recovery works.
Holly Cekala is the executive director of RICares.
