“I started my personal recovery journey in May of 2012. In the beginning, I was so hopeful that everyone I met throughout my recovery process would be able to find the peace that I had found. As the years passed, I witnessed countless people I cared for suffer so intensely from their addiction, and I found myself becoming disheartened. I was losing hope that the recovery I was able to find was possible for everyone. I saw people who wanted nothing more than to break the cycle of addiction, continue to face obstacle after obstacle, and ultimately lose their battle.
Inspired by the many friends that I had lost or who continued to struggle with their addiction, I was on a personal mission to find a solution. When a friend in recovery told me about the CLEAR program, I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer. I felt I had found the missing link. This is what the people I knew and loved needed.
As time went by, I learned about the many barriers individuals face when trying to get themselves or their loved ones help, and I watched how committed my fellow peer recovery coaches were to breaking down those barriers however they could. My passion for recovery had been reignited. Soon we began connecting with more and more people who were calling our helpline and walking into our police departments. We met them at some of their darkest moments and made sure they knew they were cared for. I witnessed miracles. Even those who may have continued to struggle with their substance use knew that help was available to them. and they could access it any time they needed it. And they did.
It’s hard to describe how grateful I am to have become involved with the CLEAR Program. With the opportunity CLEAR gave us to make a difference in our community and in the lives of the people I cared for most, the hope I had lost returned stronger and more unwavering than ever before. I learned so much about recovery and so much about myself. The people I met along the way, recovery coaches and law enforcement professionals alike, had and continue to inspire and motivate me with their compassion, dedication, and commitment to making a dent in the addiction epidemic. I look forward to continuing this work for as long as there is work to do. We do recover!”
Amber Milne, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist