Quarterly Report Volume 1 - Flipbook - Page 4
Treatment is effective - Alvin Lattimore Story
Alvin Lattimore knows first hand that treatment is effective. He says,
“Treatment through Billingslea Recovery Residence taught me to
listen, and my sober life has been working for me. I have goals today,
and I never want to go back to using again.”
Life hasn’t always been that way for Alvin.
A Maconite since 1969, Alvin says being raised by a single mother as
the youngest of 11 children in East Macon projects was “an
experience”, and he developed a substance use disorder.
On October 23, 2015, Alvin decided he’d had enough of alcohol’s
consequences and went to a stabilization center for detoxification.
While there, he contemplated leaving, decided the bus was too far
and stayed. He says that he thanks himself every day for that
wise choice.
Alvin then visited Goodwill and was referred to River Edge Billingslea
Recovery Residence. Alvin says, “Since I come from a large family, I
had options about a place to stay. I went to Billingslea because I
knew I needed treatment to learn to live differently.”
On November 4, 2015, Alvin’s twin brother helped move him into
Billingslea to begin long-term residential treatment for his substance
use disorder. Alvin proudly reports, “While I was at Billingslea, I was
often referred to as the one who stayed". Alvin graduated from
Billingslea on October 7, 2016 and moved into River Edge permanent
supportive housing services at Grove Park apartments. “Going to
Billingslea and moving into Grove Park were the best things I ever
did. These two locations provide my support system.”
Sonja Miller, a long-term River Edge team member confirms that since
graduation, Alvin has worked as a custodian at Goodwill, Mercer
Medicine, and Atrium Health Navicent as a dedicated employee.
What’s next for Alvin? Alvin says he wants to form an LLC to have his
own custodial business. Also, as much as he loves living at Grove
Park, he wants to purchase his own home. To help start that process,
he is currently working on his credit. Finally, Alvin aspires to go back
to school someday to become a counselor, since treatment helped
him so much.
Sonja Miller affirms, “The way Alvin takes care of things will always
lead him to him to a new goal.”
Treatment is effective, and recovery is to be expected.
Just ask Alvin Lattimore.
Pictured: Sonja Miller, BA, Case Manager, River Edge Behavioral Health
Alvin Lattimore. Ernestine Grant, Grove Park, Macon Housing Authority
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