I was fortunate enough to be given the helm of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse about five years ago after working for more than 25 years in various state governmental agencies, most of which built on my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and my master’s degree in criminology.
I felt my career hit its peak in 2005 when I was hired as the first director of the Office of Addictive Diseases under the Department of Human Resources. It’s now the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. In that position, I was responsible for state and federal funding passed to local communities for addiction services.
Research shows that states with higher treatment admission rates have lower incarceration rates. I thought that I could finally make a positive impact by helping to reduce Georgia’s reliance on criminal justice solutions to what I knew to be a preventable, treatable chronic health condition called addiction.
You see, I am a person in long-term recovery. What that means for me is that it has been more than 23 years since I had my last drink or illegal drug. I talk openly about my recovery because I think everyone should have the opportunities that I’ve had to get well.
Through experience, in research, and as a member of Georgia Recovery Initiative listening sessions, we know individual paths to recovery are deeply personal, and each journey is unique. Recovery is not bestowed on a person by any program or system, but is nurtured by relationships in communities that are supportive and provide hope.
What is also clear is that a person caught in the cycle of addiction feels profound shame. Many still believe someone must “hit bottom”or “has to really want it” to get better, or that only “tough love” interventions work. Fortunately, people in long-term recovery like me are speaking out and telling our stories of hope.
Research backs up what more than 23 million people in long-term recovery know. There are many ways to get and stay well. As with other chronic health conditions — like diabetes and hypertension — people need a full continuum of support, from nutrition to exercise to a caring practitioner and meaningful relationships, to get and stay well.
Earlier this week, hundreds of people in recovery, and our allies, families and friends, were at the state Capitol for Addiction Recovery Awareness Day to demonstrate to policymakers and state leadership that people can and do get better.
Additionally, this week, Gov. Nathan Deal presented a framework for the Georgia Prisoner Reentry Initiative, which recognizes that recovery and wellness take place in communities. He is asking for input. We should all take him up on this and recognize we can help reduce the impact of addiction and build stronger, healthier communities.
Let us look to the future with great hope!
Neil Kaltenecker is executive director of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse.
