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Recovery in the News
Stories prove there is life after addiction
Maryanne Kocis MacLeodThe Macomb Daily
September 18, 2006
The thinking back in 1981, when Betty Risher of Warren became clean and sober, was to toil toward recovery as quietly and unobtrusively as possible.
"It was just the way it always was," said Risher, who, at age 43, went on to pursue an associate's degree and 20-year career as an employee assistance professional for General Motors.
Now, more than 25 years later, a fresh new wave of thinking has washed over the community.
As part of Greater Macomb Project Vox, the Voice of Recovery, Risher is encouraging those with experiences similar to her own to let their voices be heard.
"The most important thing I found was that I had a disease," said Risher, a member of the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals. "I was not responsible for that disease, but I am responsible for my recovery."
To that end she is promoting events that take place throughout September -- "Recovery Month" as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The first event, the 6th annual Walk & Rally is scheduled for Saturday at Belle Isle.
Vox Rocks, a celebration dinner at DeCarlo's in Warren and open to people in recovery and those who support them, takes place Sept. 29 from 6 to 11 p.m.
"I am grateful to be sober, grateful to God, grateful to the people who I've met along the way," said Risher. "And I want to celebrate that joy, that gratitude, with others."
In addition to a full course meal and the music of the Brighton Brothers, guests will hear Dr. Mark Menestrina, a physician in recovery.
For Louis Pickert, 19, of Fraser, such events remind him there are plenty of fun things to do that don't involve drinking or drugs.
"When people get together like this, it's an inspiration for everybody," said Pickert, who celebrated the first anniversary of his break from alcohol and drugs Sept. 9. Six days later, on Sept. 15, he celebrated his 19th birthday.
While Pickert's senior year at Fraser High School was all about drinking and partying, after entering rehab that fall -- prompted by his second felony arrest for selling marijuana -- Pickert started his own masonry business and made new friends.
"You find out your old friends aren't as good as you thought they were," said Pickert, who's shared his story with at-risk teens and people in recovery. "The common denominator is drugs. When you take that away, we didn't have much in common."
For Risher, alcohol seemed to fuel her confidence and help her get through the challenges of parenthood.
"When I drank, I felt really loose," said Risher, the mother of four. "I was funny -- I thought I was funny."
Often, after her children went to bed, she pulled out a six-pack of beer or bottle of wine and she would drink until it was all gone or she fell asleep.
After hearing Betty Ford speak, she enrolled in a 28-day, in-patient treatment program, and the long journey toward recovery began.
"I am not ashamed of what I've been through -- I'm pretty proud of it," Risher said. "It's been 25 years. And being sober is still a miracle."
Tickets for the Vox Rocks dinner are $20 each and can be obtained by calling (586) 541-0033 ext. 212.
Copyright 2006 The Macomb Daily