Northwoods Recovery

I’ve had the privilege — and I do consider it a privilege — to appear at a variety of venues, speaking on the topic of recovering from drug addiction; usually but not always to gatherings of those in various stages of Recovery. One might assume I possess a wide range of experience with all my lectures and writings on the subject, along with 14-plus years in Recovery. But I can’t see it that way, because very little of my time in Recovery has been spent outside of this area, and it’s a bedrock belief of mine that recovering from addiction here in the Northwoods shields us from a great many problematic situations found elsewhere.

I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, and feel real, lasting gratitude to have ownership of what’s proved to be an exciting adventure; the miracle of living in Recovery, and here in Wisconsin's Northwoods. Unfortunately, any real understanding of recovering from addiction is limited to only what’s been learned while living in our Northwoods culture.  

This area’s been home for nearly 40 years — for most of that, caught up in substance abuse — but a significant piece of that time was spent in other locales. So I’ve connected with many different cultures and learned from most, but when returning to the shelter of my Northwoods home I feel safe again, because here is everything I need to keep myself clean and sober. The degree of caring, close support this community provides won’t be found anywhere else. How do addicts recovering in an urban setting manage this critical challenge? 

My recollections of city life are permeated with a constant sense of overcrowding, no way to escape while virtually surrounded by drug dealers and users. I find it a simple matter to avoid those potentially triggering influences here; when the walls start closing in relief is only a moment away, beside a quiet lake casting its calming spell or strolling through Hodag Park. Trapped in a cityscape, relapse seems almost an inevitability, with no easy means of dodging old demons and always a dope connection right around the corner.  

I’m deeply grateful to be spared those challenges.

Through contact with our Recovery community, I’ve come to understand recovering from addiction comes with all-encompassing complexities challenging to my own uneven cognitive capability. But through personal experience I have learned one simple, important fact: here in our Northwoods...

We Do Recover