Busy Living Sober Visits Charleston, SC

Busy Living Sober Visits Charleston!

When it comes to recovery, the South – specifically Charleston, South Carolina – is ahead of the curve in helping people fight addiction and changing the stigma.

I am in awe and envious of all the resources available to the students at the College of Charleston, and to the employees that work in the food and service industry. When I visited this past week, I had the pleasure of spending time with two of the most innovative and dynamic gentleman that are spearheading these efforts: Wood Marchant and Steve Palmer.

Wood Marchant invited me to come to the College of Charleston and speak to the students involved with the Colligate Recovery Program (CRP). Approximately ten students were in attendance and they all were there for one purpose – to stay sober and be active in school. The members of this small community were passionate and energetic. They shared the common goal of getting through life’s ups and downs without the use of any drugs or alcohol. That is an enormous undertaking, given that college is historically known for partying. CRP Director, Wood has given these students a safe a comfortable place to go to be with like-minded individuals in a warm and inviting environment. Students are able to connect on a deeper level with Wood because he himself went to the college and he is also in long-term recovery.

The second person I met with is Steve Palmer, Managing Partner at The Indigo Road. Steve is a very successful restaurateur with restaurants in Charleston, SC, Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA. My meeting with Steve was not about how outstanding his abilities are when it comes to opening and running great venues (…which they are!). Instead, we met to talk about his accomplishments in the past year and a half after founding Ben’s Friends with his partner. What is Ben’s Friends, you might ask? It’s a safe place to come and ask for help if you are having problems with drugs and alcohol and are working in the food and beverage industry. Ben’s Friends is the result of the tragic loss of one of Steve’s employees and friends who committed suicide after a long battle with the disease of addiction. Ben worked side by side with other recovering addicts but, like so many others suffering from substance abuse disorder, couldn’t ask for help. Why is that?

I am not going to say I have all of the answers – because I don’t – but one thing that I did take away from this trip is that the word “ALCOHOLIC” is TABOO! No one, I have to say that again – NO ONE, wants to admit that they are an ALCOHOLIC! The stigma associated with the term is just as bad (if not worse) than the disease itself!

We are all human beings and the disease of alcoholism and addiction is killing our society. It is time to start the conversations with your neighbors and friends, until shame is no longer a factor and acceptance and support is the norm. My hope is that organizations like CRP and Ben’s Friends, along with individuals like Wood and Steve, continue to offer support and create a safe space that removes the shame from recovery.

Let’s get out there and help our friends who are battling addiction. Help your neighbor rather than shame them.

It is time to replace our judgment and criticism with love and support! Love those who are battling addiction until they are strong enough to love themselves!

This Weeks Thirsty Thursday Video

https://youtu.be/Hn3sQcN8saI