QR Volume 2- Final - Flipbook - Page 5
Recovery is Real:
Randolph Taylor's Story
My Recovery Angel, River Edge & The Pandemic
Helped Save My Life
Growing up in Milledgeville in the 1960s, Randolph Taylor dreamed of being a professional
athlete. When he won a full football college scholarship, it seemed his dreams were
becoming reality. While in college, however, Randolph was introduced to drugs. “Drugs
stripped me of my hopes and dreams, and I dropped out of college,” says Randolph.
For decades, Randolph bounced from job to job before becoming homeless in Macon; he
lived in an abandoned building from 2014-2019. Randolph describes, “Early on in those
five years, I was comfortable living that way. Then I got sick and tired of being sick and
tired. In 2019, I began to pray for help.”
Randolph continues, “God answered my prayers in November 2019 when Marissa Cody
Cooling gave me her card and asked me if I might be interested in River Edge services.”
Marissa is the Recovery Support Supervisor at Macon Recovers, the River Edge addiction
recovery support center. Randolph calls her his ‘recovery angel’.
“The building where I was living was near Macon Recovers,” said Randolph. “I stopped by
Macon Recovers a few times before I was ready to commit to treatment. They always
welcomed me without judgment. When I was ready, Marissa helped me gain admission to
another River Edge service, Billingslea Recovery Residence. 'Billingslea House', as it is
sometimes called, offers residential treatment for men seeking recovery from substance
use disorder.
“The pandemic helped save my life.”
“While I was at Billingslea, the Governor’s order required residential treatment sites to
shelter in place for several months, due to COVID-19. That helped me focus on recovery,
virtual 12 step meetings, and Bible study for 16 months with few distractions,” Randolph
explains.
As time drew near for Randolph to graduate from Billingslea, River Edge permanent
supportive housing services helped him secure his own apartment. Also, Randolph elected
to step down into River Edge intensive outpatient services to support his continuing
recovery.
Macon-Bibb Intensive
Outpatient
12 Step Support Groups
Permanent Supportive
Housing
Randolph identifies his greatest learnings thusfar as, “River Edge has taught me that
addiction can kill me, and people can care about me with no strings attached.”
Isn’t it exciting that Randoph plans to pursue certification as an addiction recovery support
specialist to help others achieve recovery?
River Edge will support him every step of the way!
Long Term Recovery!
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