Telephone Recovery Support

She was so happy to share her successes. Her new job had allowed her to sign a lease on an apartment and she was looking forward to moving out of the homeless shelter she was living in. She quickly attributed her recovery to God. She also attributed it to the weekly call she gets from CCAR. That simple weekly Telephone Recovery Support call does so much for her. She held up her phone like it was an amazing connection to something she never knew existed. CCAR has been there for her on her whole recovery journey. She said they have never missed a week. For a long time that one phone call was one of the only consistent things in her life. She now has a whole new life today and because CCAR showed up to the plate, so did she. She said she has never even been to CCAR and doesn‟t even know who calls her. But the weekly calls show her that someone cares and that gives her hope. It was an amazing spiritual moment for me. Sometimes it just hits you right between the eyes when you realize God put you where you were supposed to be for that moment. I was supposed to be in that “out of the way” diner to meet a woman who shared her experience and strength to give me hope for that day. I got to hug her and share the joy of recovery with her. Recovery is front and center in my life today. Every day I live with expectations of guidance and miracles. In other words, the most awesome stuff happens to me every day. Running into that truly inspirational woman at that diner made me remember how truly blessed I am to be part of the CCAR Community. And this miracle was made possible because of a simple phone call that CCAR made to someone else - not even me! Thanks CCAR! Keep up the fantastic work.”

A note from a recoveree receiving calls…

“Receiving TRS calls has helped me in my recovery by giving me an opportunity to speak with someone on a regular basis about the issues I'm dealing with. TRS provides me with another resource in addition to my other tools, e.g., sponsor, meetings, treatment, counselor, etc. Linda from New London always seems to time her calls perfectly--I have really opened up to her and this has given me another avenue to share my pain so I don't have to pick up. I look forward to the weekly check in and it helps me to stay sober and clean.”

From a TRS volunteer…

“Doing TRS taught me people skills and how to talk to people. I never imagined that I would actually like it but I do. I also volunteer at any time they need me and I like that.”

From a TRS volunteer….

“A few days ago, I received a call on the TRS line. It was Paul. He has called to let me know how grateful he was for the TRS call that he received on Tuesday night. He told me that call, had changed his life. My voice, along with my concern, had made a big difference. As the tears of joy began to build up in my eyes, I started to recall the events of that night. No one knew the personal pain in my heart that night. My relationship with a woman I had planned to spend the rest of my life with was over. I‟m into my third call of the night for TR. The person on the other end of the phone is clearly under the influence. After convincing him to even listen to me, I promised that I would call back before I left for the night. He had informed me that he was just released from detox. He had prayed that the liquor stores would be closed upon his release. He had to pass many in order to get home. He spoke of death and made me aware that he may not make it through the night. When I made the return call, he started to cry. He didn‟t think that I would keep my word and call back. He told me that no one had ever cared about him that much. He also apologized for the difficulties we had experience on the initial call. Then, suddenly he kept repeating that his heart was beating too fast. I asked him to allow me to help. He quickly agreed to relax while I contacted the local emergency unit. I let Paul know that they were on their way. I spoke with him until they arrived. I was doing all that I could to keep him alert and calm. As they carried him off to the hospital, he thanked TRS again. I recall saying a little prayer at that moment, asking for God‟s help, for Paul‟s sake. Paul had told me it was a night that changed his life and he would never forget it. Little did he realize that it had an effect on my life also. I asked the medical unit to call me back and keep me informed of Paul‟s condition I waited for that call as if my life depended on it. When the phone rang I was comforted by the familiar voice that said thanks for your help, he‟s going to be alright. He was admitted into the hospital before the drug overdose could take his life. It was then that the importance and power of TRS really hit me. No price could be attached to what happened that night. No miracle could have been more meaningful to me. A life was given another chance, and at the same time another life came to realize that some of the things we worry about are nothing compared to the problems of others. It was rewarding to hear Paul‟s voice a week later. The human bond that we created that night allowed me to mature as a spirit, as a person, and as a man. Paul told me how grateful he was for the TRS program. Now it‟s my turn to say I am also grateful. Thank you CCAR!”

From a TRS volunteer…

“I have volunteered at CCAR since August 2008 as a Telephone Recovery Support person. I have talked to hundreds of people and have heard as many stories. All the recoveries have been unanimous on two counts about their addiction and CCAR. First, they are in recovery now because they absolutely could NOT live their lives as addicts anymore. They all express the strongest desires to have a quality life that allows them to feel emotions, to care for their children and families, and to lead healthy, productive lives. Second, they look forward to receiving the TRS phone call once a week. Some recoveries have developed special bonds with certain TRS volunteers and others simply like to know that someone out there cares about them. In my experience, TRS is tantamount to the All Recovery Meetings, Recovery Community Centers, and the Social Events because it delivers support to the recovery on an intimate, nonjudgmental level.”