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Description
To celebrate National Recovery Month, eight individuals share their inspirational journeys and successes with recovery related to their mental health and substance use challenges. This program creates awareness and helps to diminish stigma and discrimination with regard to the attitudes and beliefs associated with mental health and substance use disorders. The theme for 2021 is "Recovery is for Everyone”.
Sponsored by Arlington County’s Behavioral Healthcare Division and The Department of Human Services.
A
Good
evening
my
name
is
elizabeth
shook
and
I
am
the
wellness
and
recovery
manager
at
the
behavioral
health
care
division
at
arlington
county
on
behalf
of
the
behavioral
health
care
division
and
the
department
of
human
services.
I
would
like
to
welcome
you
all
to
this
very
special
program,
as
we
celebrate
national
recovery
month
due
to
covet
19.
Unfortunately,
we
are
not
able
to
meet
in
person
again,
but
we
hope
that
this
virtual
version
of
our
recovery
event
will
bring
you
as
much
hope
and
inspiration
as
prior
live
events.
A
First,
I'd
like
to
thank
a
few
individuals
for
their
continued
support
of
recovery,
anita
friedman,
who
is
the
director
of
the
department
of
human
services,
deborah
warren,
who
is
the
deputy
director
of
the
department
of
human
services
and
the
executive
director
of
the
community
services
board
ali
russell,
who
is
the
behavioral
health
care
assistant,
division,
director,
the
community
services
board
and
the
arlington
county
board.
I
thank
you
all
for
your
support.
B
It's
not
just
the
eighth
year,
but
it's
the
second
year
that
we
are
doing
this
virtually
in
past
times.
We've
had
a
cozy
celebration
together
at
bus
boys
and
poets
with
their
nice
stage
and
delicious
food.
Tonight
we
have
to
do
this
through
a
virtual
means,
but
you'll
be
able
to
watch
and
enjoy
from
the
comfort
of
your
own
living
place.
B
B
B
He
was
elected
in
2018
and
became
chair
in
2021,
and
all
of
you
who
know
him
will,
I'm
sure,
agree
with
me
that
he
is
a
tremendous
advocate
for
our
department
of
human
services
and
for
the
people
who
we
serve,
especially
those
who
are
in
this
journey
of
recovery
from
mental
health,
illness
and
substance
use
disorder.
So
please
join
me
in
welcoming
matt
deferenti.
C
A
A
A
The
definition
widely
accepted
comes
from
the
substance,
abuse
and
mental
health
services,
administration
or
samhsa,
and
it
states
that
recovery
is
a
process
of
change
through
which
individuals
improve
their
health
and
wellness
live
a
self-directed
life
and
strive
to
reach
their
full
potential.
I
think
that
is
what
many
of
us
are
striving
for,
reaching
our
full
potential.
Those
of
us
who
deal
with
mental
health
and
addiction
issues
are
no
different
from
those
without
in
terms
of
what
we
want
out
of
life.
A
A
We
have
some
amazing
people
who
are
courageous
enough
to
speak
out
about
their
recovery
in
order
to
help
educate
the
community,
as
well
as
for
the
people,
to
see
that
there
is
hope
and
understand
that
their
recovery
is
definitely
possible
to
start
us
off
this
evening.
We
will
hear
from
judy
who
will
share
what
she
has
titled
wellness
crisis
recovery.
D
D
Mental
health
or
disorders
cannot
be
cured.
Only
the
symptoms
can
be
managed.
In
my
case,
this
included
medication
therapy,
hospitalizations
and
ect
recovery
is
not
a
straight
line
and
relapses
occur
in
2011
I
started
receiving
services
from
arlington's
behavioral
health
division.
There
I
can
receive
all
my
treatment
needs
in
one
place.
D
D
One
recent
setback
was
the
crisis
I
experienced
when
my
car
was
totaled.
I
needed
a
lot
of
help
to
bounce
back
from
it.
You've
had
an
accident
or
know
somebody
who
has
there's
a
common
process
that
unfolds.
Everyone
handles
the
experience
differently.
For
me,
each
step
and
decision
caused
more
and
more
anxiety
and
depression.
D
D
I
needed
more
therapy
and
extra
anxiety
medicine.
The
last
thing
I
needed
was
people
saying
you
were
doing
so
well
just
get
over
it.
That
was
not
helpful.
They
didn't
understand
the
nature
of
recovery.
It
took
me
four
to
five
months
to
recover
my
mental
health
to
the
level
it
was
before
the
accident.
D
One
year
later
covet
hit.
We
are
all
experiencing
and
responding
to
the
pandemic
differently.
For
me,
maintaining
my
mental
health
is
more
challenging.
My
sense
of
purpose
has
waned.
My
only
work
is
my
part-time
cat
sitting
business.
My
feline
therapy
ended
abruptly
when
my
clients
stopped
traveling.
I
became
more
isolated
than
I
already
am.
D
D
The
medical
reserve
corps
began
recruiting
volunteers
I
joined
in
april
2020.
My
first
assignment
was
at
a
testing
event
in
may
last
year.
I
worked
at
four
more
testing
events.
Next,
I
volunteered
for
vaccination
clinics.
At
the
beginning
of
this
year
I
worked
nearly
140
volunteer
hours.
All
together,
I
benefited
from
helping
the
community
and
regained
a
sense
of
purpose.
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
I
continue
to
learn
how
to
be
resilient
and
I
gain
more
experience
bouncing
back.
I
try
to
remember
that
I've
overcome
challenges
before
and
I
can
again
my
I
manage
my
mental
health
symptoms.
As
best
I
can
self-awareness
along
with
professional
support
and
education.
Helped
me
live
a
healthier
life.
E
I'm
charlie
and
I'm
here
to
talk
for
just
a
few
minutes
about
my
journey
through
recovery.
I
I
grew
up
in
a
pretty
basic
household.
I
guess
there
was
good
and
bad
in
everything,
but
somewhere
along
the
line,
I
did
not
develop
the
scale
skills
for
living
life
on
life's
terms,
and
I
didn't
know
what
to
do
with
that.
I
knew
I
was
different
from
junior
high
school
on
through.
E
I
thought
that
if
I
worked
hard
followed
the
rules
that
I
would
be
a
success
in
life
and
every
time
something
didn't
work
out,
I
was
rejected
or
anything
like
that.
I
didn't
know
what
to
do
with
all
those
emotions
that
welled
up.
You
know
I
to
be
honest.
I've
discovered
I
was
gay.
When
I
was
in
junior
high
school,
it
was
a
secret
that
had
to
be
kept
even
from
my
parents.
E
I
I
felt
like
I
couldn't
fulfill
the
role
I
was
supposed
to
as
a
hard
worker,
with
a
wife
and
kids
and
putting
them
through
college
and
then
retiring
to
do
whatever
I
didn't
fit.
That
mold
and
I
didn't
know
how
to
deal
with
that.
So
it
started
really
young.
I
I
went
through
long
periods
of
feeling,
good
and
then
long
periods
of
being
very
depressed
and
anxious
all
this
went
totally
undiagnosed.
E
You
know
I
hit
it
really.
Well,
I
learned
how
to
hide
the
biggest
secret
in
the
world.
As
far
as
I
was
concerned,
and
once
I
got
out
of
the
house,
it
was
I
felt
like
I
can
live
my
life.
You
know
I'm
going
to
break
a
few
rules
here
and
try
some
different
things,
because
at
home
everything
was
was
very
strict
and
ordered.
E
E
My
wife
discovered
realized
that
I
was
just
crazy.
She
she
quickly
divorced
me.
Things
got
worse,
so
I
used
more
drugs
and
alcohol
to
try
and
soothe
the
emotions.
You
know
the
things
I
couldn't
deal
with
that
didn't
work
out
so
well,
because
I
started
using
more
and
more.
I
found
more
and
more
things
that
I
didn't
agree
with
that
I
didn't
know
how
to
handle.
E
I
ended
up
losing
my
wife,
my
house,
several
apartments,
a
couple
of
cars
along
the
way,
but
I
thought,
if
I
just
do
things
right
I'll
be
okay.
People
were
trying
to
tell
me.
I
had
problems
with
substances
and
I
wasn't
listening.
I
wasn't
hearing
it
because
I
didn't
think
there
was
anything
wrong
with
me.
I
thought
it
was
wrong.
E
E
It
took
me
a
long
time
to
find
the
right
place.
Lots
of
people
tried
to
help
me
along
the
way,
and
I
my
behavior
just
I
hurt
them
in
some
way
in
one
way
or
another,
I
hurt
them
and
myself
it
did
not
work
out.
I
was
kicked
out
of
a
lot
of
houses
that
I'd
been
borrowing
their
couch
and
things
like
that.
I
I
kind
of
got
it
together
for
a
little
while
got
a
good
job.
E
I
had
always
worked
hard
and
made
good
grades,
but
I
didn't
try
anything
that
I
might
fail
at
because
I
couldn't
deal
with
it.
If
I
didn't-
and
I
knew
that,
but
you
know
I
went
into
health
care,
I
was
doing
well,
but
things
just
mount
piled
up
on
me
and
I
I
turned
to
more
drugs
than
alcohol
that
ended,
that
medical
career,
real
quick,
because
you
can't
show
up
to
work,
smelling
of
alcohol
and,
looking
like
you,
haven't,
eaten
in
three
days,
which
I
probably
hadn't
and
probably
did
so.
I
made
geographic
moves
cures.
E
They
didn't
work.
I
went
to
los
angeles
for
a
while,
it
didn't
work.
I
finally
landed
in
virginia
with
a
friend
and
that's
when
it
all
came
to
a
head-
and
I
ended
up
in
detox
here
in
arlington
and
I
went
through
phoenix
house
did
okay
for
a
year
and
then
it
all
fell
apart
again.
But
while
I
was
there,
I
was
introduced
to
behavioral
health
at
arlington
county
and
I
had
some
good
counselors
and
they
they
helped
me,
pull
myself
up
a
little
bit
and
regain
some
self-esteem.
E
Then
they
realized
that
I
had
a
bipolar
disorder
and
that
just
really
did
it.
So
when
I
started
on
my
medication,
it
helped
tremendously
the
drugs
and
alcohol
just
kind
of
dropped
away
with
counseling
and
12-step
programs,
and
now
I've
retired.
I
never
got
a
job
in
med
medical
again.
I
went
to
retail
and
did
that.
But
now
I
can
say
that
I
have
been
substance
free
for
10
years,
and
life
has
just
gotten
better.
All
the
way
along.
My
thinking
is
clearer.
E
I
think
the
meds
help
with
that,
because
I've
tried
to
go
off
of
them
a
time
or
two
and
that
didn't
work
out
so
well.
People
started
telling
me
that
I
was
crazy
and
having
weird
thoughts,
and
so
I'd
go
back
on
them,
and
now
I've
decided
that's
probably
the
best
course
for
the
rest
of
my
life,
but
just
working
a
program
has
given
me
self-esteem.
E
E
F
My
name
is
linda
griffin,
mensah
and
I'm
the
first
to
graduate
from
the
arlington
county
behavior
health
docket.
There
are
four
phases
in
the
arlington
behavioral
health
docket.
Each
phase
has
a
number
of
hours
which
must
be
completed
by
each
student
and
the
teams
approve
these
hours.
Docket
helps
to
identify
individuals
experiencing
mental
illness,
developmental
disability
or
dual
diagnosis
symptoms,
who
welcome
involved,
who
become
involved
in
the
criminal
justice
system.
The
goal
is
to
quickly
identify
those
individuals
for
referral
and
eligibility
screening
for
participation
in
the
behavior
health
docket.
F
The
journey
has
been
and
continue
to
be,
a
learning
and
gaining
knowledge
experience.
After
speaking
with
my
attorney
filling
out
the
paperwork,
I
was
praying,
I
would
be
accepted
in
the
behavior
health
docket
program.
I
spoke
with
miss
courtney,
noble
behavior,
health,
doctor
mental
health,
clinician
and
letting
her
know.
I
really
needed
the
behavior
health
doctor
program
because
my
reaction
to
decision
making
processes
were
not
giving
me
the
correct
result.
I
wanted-
and
this
is
how
I
was
arrested.
F
She
explained
to
me
that
I
would
have
to
come
to
court
and
I
would
get
my
final
decision
whether
I
would
be
accepted
in
the
program.
I
was
arrested
july
9
2020
on
a
class
you
felony
and
class
1
misamina
booked
and
placed
in
arlington
county
detention
facility
on
july
10.
I
had
a
court
appearance
which
did
not
go
well.
F
Court
was
rescheduled
for
july
14
2020
and
I
was
released
from
the
arlington
county
detention
facility
scheduled
to
meet
at
2
pm
with
the
arlington
county
department
of
mental
health
services.
I
scheduled
a
telephone,
therapist
interview
and
answered
several
questions
about
myself.
Then
I
received
my
behavior
health
docket
ignition
treatment
plan
from
miss
kelly,
neiman
behavior
health
docket
coordinator
every
week,
thereafter
miss
neiman
sent
via
email
our
schedule.
My
reaction
to
making
decisions
have
always
been
fast
and
quick.
F
However,
I
have
learned
that,
even
though
I
make
quick
decisions,
I
must
slow
down
pump
my
brakes
and
ask
myself
what
will
this
decision?
Look
like
two
through
five
minutes
from
now
stress
has
always
been
a
part
of
my
life
and,
as
we
all
know,
mindfulness
must
be
incorporated
to
release.
Stress
the
behavior
health
docket
requirements
and
team
members
have
impacted
my
life
by
refreshing,
my
life
skills
and
equipped
me
with
slowing
down
my
decision
making
processes
also
own
personal
responsibility.
F
F
F
My
hope
and
dream
for
the
future
are
to
continue
to
understand.
As
I
go
through
major
life
changes.
I
have
to
do
my
own
self-advocacy,
which
means
have
goals,
get
my
facts
about
those
goals
plan.
Those
goals
have
a
strategy
make
my
decision
with
your
sound.
Take
action
be
firm
and
calm.
Also,
knowing
that
mental
illness
is
not
a
labor,
I
wear
it
is
a
process.
A
G
When
I
was
21
years
old,
I
was
diagnosed
with
a
serious
mental
health
condition
about
a
year
after
that
I
got
in
trouble
when
I
had
a
psychotic
delusion
I
broke
into
a
stranger's
house
and
I
destroyed
some
property
and
I
was
apprehended
by
the
police
after
this
happened.
I
was
referred
to
a
program
in
fairfax
county
called
jail
diversion
jail.
Diversion
is
a
program
that
helps
people
with
serious
mental
illness
who
come
in
contact
with
the
criminal
justice
system
and
helps
them
in
their
recovery
process.
G
So
jail
diversion
program.
Helped
me
get
psychotherapy,
helped
me
get
medication,
helped
me
get
employment.
Help
me
get
stable,
housing
very
pivotal
in
my
recovery
about
a
year
or
so
after
I
graduated
from
the
jail
diversion
program.
I
was
approached
by
a
member
of
the
team
to
work
for
the
jail
diversion
program
as
a
peer
support
specialist.
G
G
So
I
really
love
my
job
as
an
opportunity
to
give
back
to
help
people
to
share
what
wisdom
I
have
accumulated
in
in
my
own
recovery
and
we
meet
people
where
they
are
at.
So,
if
somebody
is
going
through
a
messy
or
tumultuous
recovery
process,
we
don't
judge
them.
We
don't
condemn
them.
We
don't
look
down
upon
them.
We
don't
project
onto
them.
What
we
hoped
they
would
do.
We
just
meet
them
where
they're
at
we
listen
to
them.
G
So
if
you
see
me
out
in
the
streets
of
arlington,
say
hello,
my
name
is
kevin.
I
love
to
interact
with
people
and
hopefully,
if
you're
going
through
the
recovery
process,
hopefully
there's
some
light
at
the
end
of
the
tunnel,
and
hopefully
some
of
the
things
I
said
can
help
you
in
your
own
recovery
so
that
you
can
be
the
best
version
of
yourself
that
is
possible.
Thank
you.
H
Hello,
my
name
is
farook.
I
was
born
and
raised
here
in
arlington
and
attended
george
mason
university,
where
I
pursued
my
undergrad
in
information
systems
and
operations
management.
Today,
I'm
here
to
tell
you
about
my
journey
dealing
with
mental
illness
and
and
how
I've
been
able
to
live
a
normal
life.
I
was
diagnosed
with
bipolar
disorder
when
I
was
19.
H
H
H
Once
I
was
stabilized,
I
found
meaningful
employment
and
I
enrolled
back
in
college.
Sadly,
after
a
few
years
of
working
and
attending
college,
I
relapsed
my
parents
admitted
me
to
a
state
mental
facility,
so
I
can
stabilize
my
support
system
and
I
worked
on
different
types
of
psychoactive
meds.
Some
meds
were
good
and
some
are
horrible.
H
Long
story.
Short
I've
been
pretty
stable
for
the
past
five
years.
After
numerous
doctor
visits,
hospitalizations
and
therapy
sessions,
I
feel
like
I
can
see
the
colors
outside
instead
of
dark
clouds.
I
feel
like
I'm
on
the
right
meds
and
I'm
thankful
for
my
parents
for
making
the
right
decisions
for
hospitalization.
H
I
am
thankful
for
my
current
support
system.
I
have
met
so
many
nice
people
at
the
mental
hospitals
who
are
also
recovering
in
their
journey.
My
advice
to
people
who
are
newly
diagnosed
don't
give
up.
We
have
hope
and
be
around
positive
people.
There's
light
at
the
end
of
the
tunnel,
stay
strong
and
be
honest
with
your
mental
health
staff
members,
your
life
matters.
Thank
you.
A
And
last,
but
certainly
not
least,
we
have
three
gentlemen
jermaine
justin
and
horace,
who
are
part
of
the
addiction,
corrections,
treatment
or
act
unit
in
the
arlington
county
detention
center.
The
act
program
is
a
nine-month,
intensive
treatment
program
for
incarcerated
adults,
with
emphasis
on
addiction
and
substances
and
ways
to
cope.
The
program
provides
treatment
that
is
both
holistic
and
comprehensive.
A
While
in
this
program,
clients
work
on
changing
themselves
from
the
inside
out
learning
how
to
rebuild
their
lives
in
order
to
re-enter
society
stronger
than
they
left
together.
Jermaine,
justin
and
horace
will
share
their
view
of
recovery,
and
then
they
will
individually
share
parts
of
their
stories.
They
have
titled
this
breaking
the
chain.
I
I've
learned
my
triggers
why
I
use
why
it's
important
to
go
to
meetings,
why
it's
important
to
have
sponsors
and,
most
importantly,
learn
how
to
love
myself
again
the
healing
process.
My
body
has
had
a
lot
of
time
to
heal.
I
picked
up
a
few
pounds.
Skin
got
a
little
better,
been
working
out
trying
to
get
my
wellness
on
plus
now
my
mind
has
time
to
heal.
My
thoughts
is
cleared
up.
I
have
more
positive
thoughts.
Now,
I'm
starting
to
think
about
the
future,
I'm
dreaming
again
things
I
want
to
do
places.
I
I
want
to
go
businesses,
I
want
to
start
a
big
part
of
recovery
is
ending
the
cycle
and
coming
from
four
generations
of
addiction
and
having
a
kid
myself.
Ending
the
cycle
is
very
important
for
me
and
my
family,
my
great-grandmother
and
great-grandfather
my
grandmother,
my
mother,
my
father
and
myself
all
suffer
from
drug
addiction
problems.
One
of
my
daughters
was
born
addicted
to
heroin.
I
Recovery
is
different
for
everyone.
No
one
recovers
look
the
same,
but
this
is
how
recovery
looks
to
me.
I'm
truly
grateful
for
the
opportunity
to
share
with
you
what
recovery
means
to
me.
I'm
going
to
close
with
something
I
heard
in
the
naad
meetings
that
hold
so
true
to
me
recover
and
live
or
use
and
die
thanks
for
letting
me
share.
J
J
Recovery
to
me
is
hope,
strength
a
new
beginning
is
that
hits
home
for
me,
because
I
grew
up
with
a
dad
and
it's
in
and
out
of
my
life,
I
have
a
five-year-old
son,
doesn't
even
know
who
I
am.
I
have
a
daughter
who
asks
way
too
many
questions
and
the
feeling
of
that
of
shame
and
guilt
holding
on
to
those
kinds
of
things,
and
it's
just
not
a
good
path.
I
I
run
from
life
instead
of
dealing
with
it
being
a
part
of
the
act
unit.
J
Now
for
almost
two
years,
I've
I've
begun
to
understand
my
addiction,
understand
my
mental
health
and
have
worked
on
a
whole
lot
to
overcome
that
and
it's
never
fully
overcome.
But
I
learned
to
manage,
I
I've
learned
to
identify
triggers
and
how
to
cope
and
advocate
for
myself
when
I
really
need
to
instead
of
just
holding
stuff.
J
In
that
being
said,
I
am
still
participating
in
acu
and
still
learning
myself
the
opportunities
given
to
me
being,
for
example,
the
the
first
participant
in
arlington
county
jail
under
the
act
unit
as
a
full-time
college
student
who
is
studying
criminology
and
criminal
justice,
and
also
hoping
to
move
to
a
four-year
college
and
take
law
once
I'm
out
and
release,
and
things
are
good.
So
recovery
is
just
a
journey.
It's
life
and
life
is
what
we
make
it.
So,
thanks
for
letting
me
share.
K
K
K
K
Did
the
mental
health
system
fail
to
recognize
my
needs
and
or
am
I
a
casualty
of
mass
incarceration
and
which
is
so
woven
into
the
fabric
of
the
criminal
justice
system
today
tomorrow
and
for
the
rest
of
my
life?
I
want
to
be
a
beacon
of
hope,
a
process
of
change
through
which
individuals
improve
their
health
and
wellness
live
a
self-directed
life
and
strive
to
reach
the
their
full
potential.
K
K
I
have
been
incarcerated
here
for
41
months
and
scheduled
to
be
released
in
at
least
three
months
now
would
like
to
thank
alden
county,
adult
detention,
center,
cru
program
dhs
and
the
ag
drill
program
for
providing
me
with
this
platform,
an
opportunity
to
share
my
experiences,
strengths
and
hope,
and
which
gives
me
a
sense
of
hope.
Thank
you.
J
A
Thank
you
all
very
much
for
taking
the
time
to
view
our
special
event,
a
big
thank
you
to
all
of
our
presenters
and
the
hard
work
they
put
into
sharing
their
recovery
journeys
in
order
to
educate
the
community
about
recovery,
and
this
presentation
would
not
have
been
possible
without
arlington
county
tv,
including
producer
peter
hill.
Thank
you
so
much.
I
hope
you
have
been
inspired
this
evening
and
you
have
seen
some
great
examples
of
recovery.