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Recovery
Resources
Upon his release, he was placed on probation. “It was made very clear
to me when they let me out that if I messed up, I’d go back to jail for
much longer. But even knowing that, I slipped a month later. That’s the
grip addiction has over your rational thoughts. I knew it was wrong, but I
couldn’t stop myself. I actually ended up OD’ing three times in one week.
Usually, it takes one or two NARCANs to bring someone back, but it took
them four the first two times I OD’d and three the third time. I really
shouldn’t be alive.
“The District Attorney got wind that I was using and gave me a choice: go
back to jail or go to in-patient rehab. Four days later I checked into Serenity
House* for, hopefully, my last turn at rehab.”
Finding a way forward
Below is a list of some of the
resources and organizations
Phil worked with and, in some
cases, continues to work
with throughout his recovery.
Additional resources are found
on page 30.
Alcoholics Anonymous
aa.org
HireAbility Vermont
hireabilityvt.com
200 Veterans Memorial Drive,
Ste. 15, Bennington
802-447-2780
Narcotics Anonymous
na.org
Phil isn’t sure what about his last experience ODing and time at rehab was
SaVida Health
savidahealth.com
different from previous times. “My life was nothing but chaos for the past
665 Main Street, Bennington
sixteen years,” he says. “I just bounced from one bad situation to the next
802-448-5105
and was fine as long as I had access to drugs. I could just ignore everything
Serenity House, Inc.
that was going wrong … . Maybe it was the fact I OD’d three times in one
recoveryhousevt.org
98 Church St., Wallingford
week. Maybe it’s because I realized the opiates on the street now aren’t the
802-446-2640
same as what I started out taking. They’re now laced with Fentanyl and
Turning Point Center of
other chemicals. Users don’t appreciate that they’re so much stronger and,
Bennington
really, deadlier. Whatever it was, I realized that if I was going to live,
tpcbennington.org
465 Main Street, Bennington
I didn’t want my future to be anything like my past.”
802-442-9700
That desire for a different future finally drove Phil to commit himself
Valley Vista
to recovery.
vvista.net
“I go to SaVida* three times a week and work with two doctors to manage
23 Upper Plain, Bradford
802-222-5201
my prescription and a counselor who keeps my head in a good space. I’ve
also been lucky to consistently work with Patricia Johnson, an SVMC nurse
who helped me in the ER, at Serenity House, and now at SaVida*.”
Phil also participates in online AA and NA* meetings. “I prefer AA
meetings,” he says. “The people participating tend to be older
Free Harm-Reduction Training
and have been clean for years. Their stories give me hope and
Bennington Rescue offers free overdose
make me realize that long-term recovery is possible.”
CPR training. Participants receive a harmWorking with his counselor, Phil has created lists of shortreduction bag and hands-on training on the
and long-term goals. “I’m keeping things simple. I want to get
following:
• how to use NARCAN
my driver’s license back, and I want to get a job. I now have
• how to use Fentanyl test strips
a record, so I know that won’t be easy but I’m working with
• how to perform CPR
HireAbility Vermont* to find a job. It’s unlikely I’ll be able to
• how to provide ventilation support
use my degree … at least not right away. But I’m ready to move
Classes are held monthly at Bennington
forward with a different way of living. It’s not easy but it’s what
Rescue, 120 McKinley St.
I want and I’m ready to put in the work.” +
To register, email Todd.Salvesvold@
svhealthcare.org or call 802-440-4234
SVHEALTHCARE .ORG | HEALTHY+ | 19