What have you done to overcome obstacles to spreading the message of long-term recovery?

William (Billy) Lossiah-B — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:56:43 GMT

As the new mid-Atlantic representative, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is William (Billy) Lossiah-Bratt, and I am in long-term recovery. I have not used drugs or alcohol in over 7 years.

The message that long-term recovery is possable is one that we work hard to share especially with those who may not fully understand addiction.

Here in Cherokee North Carolina, I, along with other members of the recovering community on the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee Indian Reservation) have worked hard at overcoming the many obsticles we have encountered with regard to preconceived notions of what addiction and recovery truly is about.

One of the main obsticles we have faced is the continued criminalization of the addicted person. We have also had to contend with some strong religious opinions about addicted people. We still continue to advocate in the hopes of changing present attitudes here in Cherokee.

In your community, what obstacles have you faced, and how have you been able to overcome them or do you continue to fight the good fight?

Yours in long-term recovery,
Billy

Mid-Atlantic Discussion Board

What have you done to overcome obstacles to spreading the message of long-term recovery?