Recovering addict says new center is ‘saving my life’

Community celebrates new downtown Bristol recovery center

Posted 5/4/18

With a full program of speakers representing a broad coalition, from state and town officials to religious leaders, from non-profits to public health and safety, the East Bay Recovery Center …

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Recovering addict says new center is ‘saving my life’

Community celebrates new downtown Bristol recovery center

Posted

With a full program of speakers representing a broad coalition, from state and town officials to religious leaders, from non-profits to public health and safety, the East Bay Recovery Center officially opened its doors on Wednesday.

In reality, the Center already had a “soft” opening on March 1, with their services available for the past couple of months. And, according to one local man, they’ve already saved his life.

Carroll Delaney of Bristol was the last speaker to address the capacity crowd at the center’s new home at St. Michael’s Parish Hall on Hope Street. About two and a half months ago, Mr. Delaney woke up in the hospital to find that he had been given a second chance at life, following a near-fatal opiate overdose.

He was one of the lucky ones, able to receive a lifesaving dose of Narcan, the brand name for Naxalone, the “miracle drug” that instantly neutralizes the effects of opioids on a person who has overdosed. Grateful for the second chance at life, Mr. Delaney asked for help battling his addiction.

He was sent to talk to Recovery Coach Ernie Thivierge. It made all the difference.

“I was really depressed,” said Mr. Delaney. “There is a lot of shame and guilt when you do something like this to yourself, which makes fighting addiction that much harder.”

One of the many keys to recovery is access to support services. Before the center opened in Bristol, the nearest services were a drive away — something that is not always feasible or timely. These past couple of months have seen Mr. Delaney make the short walk from his home to the Recovery Center on a regular basis.

“Whenever I feel like things are just too hard, too crazy, I can talk to Ernie, or just come down here and focus on my recovery.”

Tommy Joyce, the center director, began the speaking program from the perspective of a person in recovery, a life that, he says, makes him a better person in every way possible. He looks at that awakening as a call to action, to help other people as he was once helped. “We’re veterans, though of a different battle,” he said. “But just like the Marines, we’re not going to leave anyone behind.”

Town Administrator Steven Contente invoked the words his wife used to send their kids off to school that morning: “Today’s going to be a new day. You guys are doing good,” he said. “Those are powerful statements, and they apply as well to those who come into this building.”

Gov. Gina Raimondo cited a state victory in the battle against addition, and opiates specifically, noting that when she launched the program to medically treat addicted ACI inmates, it was met with some criticism. But the reality is that most prisoners will eventually leave the ACI, and the risk of overdose among that population is extreme. Since the program began, the state has seen a 60 percent decline in overdoses among formerly incarcerated people — an announcement that was met with an enthusiastic round of applause.

Involved in the collaborative effort to create this Recovery Center were: Emily Spence of the Bristol Health Equity Zone; Bristol Police Lt. Stephen St. Pierre; Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente; East Bay Recovery Center Director Tommy Joyce ; Ernie Thivierge, recovery coach; and Robert Crossley, vice president of behavioral health, EBCAP.

While speaker after speaker underscored the importance of the center, Mr. Delaney spoke most powerfully. “I owe this place everything,” he said. “It’s saving my life.”

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.