For the third year, Calhoun’s Recovery Celebration held at Avalon Campus and spearheaded by Aaron Spaur has successfully brought awareness to the fact that recovery from addiction is most certainly possible, but it’s much, much more difficult without the support of family, friends and community.
Attempting to stop the stigma that has come with recovery, Aaron invited those who have come from addiction, or a family fighting addiction to raise awareness that the problem is very much here, but there is a way out.
Jim Sullivan spoke very candidly about the loss of his son, who passed away not directly from addiction, but a factor in his life which caused him to fail to take care of his health as he should. Jim told those in attendance the influence of the world drives addiction but “the people around you need your influence.”
Lona, who suffered the loss of her brother to addiction at 36 years of age shared that she did not know what it was like to suffer from addiction, but she knew full well what it was like to lose someone to it. –
Lona’s brother died on September 16th, 2022. He was veteran, a son, grandson and brother. “His life was complicated and messy” she explained. She recalled the days of discovering her brother’s passing, the toll it had taken on her and her family and told those in attendance that their story matters. “If you keep showing up, maybe the ending will be different than mine,” she said, “If you’re in recovery, I’m proud of you.”
Crystal Mersh, Aaron Spaur’s mother, dedicated her time to their family’s Substance Abuse Counselor, Rodney Roberson of California. She reminisced her frustration at his comment to her son’s addiction, “It takes what it takes.” Mrs. Mersh rescued her son from addiction for 15 years, until he finally hit rock bottom with an arrest. But through his determination and his families support, Aaron is now a successful Substance Abuse Counselor and avid supporter of Substance Abuse awareness.
Crystal’s second topic was “Stopping the stigma” of drug abuse. People call it out by what kind of abuse it is. We need to make sure that those who are suffering with addiction feel welcome in our community and that don’t push them into making a terrible decision that takes them out of this world,” she said.
Jessica Metz suffered with addiction for sever years. She though her life was beyond repair until she faced losing her children. She then began her road to recovery, learning how to face life without having to numb herself to it. She leaned on both her faith and Narcotics Anonymous and is now in her words, “Living a life filled with purpose.”
Aaron gave coins for those in attendance who have been in recovery for
- 11 – months
- 2+ years
- 4 years
- 7 years
- 8 years
- 9 years
- 10-15 years
- 25-30
Event album below, scroll left or right
Ridgeview News congratulates all those that attended or participated in Saturday’s event and encourages the community to support the efforts of local and regional agencies who are helping the Recovery Community with programs and opportunities.
