“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin Workforce attrition in addiction care is about much more than burnout. It is often more a result of moral dissonance created by systems that profess recovery but operationalize something far less. As an example, the … Continue reading Hope Carriers in a System That Doesn’t Walk Its Own Talk on Recovery
Author: billstaufferpa
William Stauffer is the Director of Pennsylvania Recovery Organization Alliance (PRO-A). In recovery for well over 3 decades, he is a nationally recognized trainer and writer addiction and recovery. He has testified to the US Senate Special Committee on Aging and in 2019, he organized a hearing with the PA House Human Services Committee to expand opportunities for young people. He is a past co-chair of the public policy committee for Faces & Voices of Recovery and the 2019 recipient of the Vernon Johnson Award Individual Recovery Advocate of the year. He teaches Social Work at Misericordia University. He was recently named to the Leadership Council of Foundations for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS) a national think / do tank where he serves alongside some of the most respected leaders in the SUD service system. In December 2022, Mr. Stauffer was invited to serve Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro & Lieutenant Gov-Elect Austin Davis on the state Human Services transition team.
Emerging From the Shadows, Beyond Existing into Mattering and Belonging
Developing the Science of Flourishing in Addiction Recovery – William Stauffer & Dr David Best This essay was coauthored with Dr. David Best, an internationally recognized researcher in addiction recovery whose work has been central to advancing the science of recovery capital, social networks, and community-based pathways to long-term change. As coauthor, he brings decades … Continue reading Emerging From the Shadows, Beyond Existing into Mattering and Belonging
Beyond Low Expectations of Languishing to the Probability of Flourishing in Addiction Recovery
William White, the highly regarded historian and thought leader of the new recovery advocacy movement recently put out a comprehensive paper on Post Traumatic Growth and Flourishing in Addiction Recovery. This essay should be a roadmap to retool our systems of care. A plan from which we can foster the full potential of individuals and … Continue reading Beyond Low Expectations of Languishing to the Probability of Flourishing in Addiction Recovery
Ripples of Resiliency – Fifty Years Since Operation Understanding
“What if instead of heroically bursting from the fire, a weakened and traumatized bird rises awkwardly, just barely, careening through a wall of sky on fire, entirely uncertain of what fate awaits when it finally clears the smoke? Why can't this mess be a triumph? Why can't basic survival be a kind of glory? Why … Continue reading Ripples of Resiliency – Fifty Years Since Operation Understanding
Is the California Recovery Pathway of Benefit or Bane?
“I am perfectly cured of the whisky habit, thanks to you and erthoxylon coca, but I can scarcely keep from forming a coca habit, becoming a “coquero”” – An 1889 letter from a patient to Dr W.H. Bently, Slaying the Dragon, the History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery in America - William White. Pg 146 … Continue reading Is the California Recovery Pathway of Benefit or Bane?
Recovery Centered Research Requires Accepted Definitions of Recovery –
An Interview with Justin Bell, the Frontiers of Recovery Research Interview Series What is this series of interviews? In April of 2024, I had the distinct honor of being asked by author and thought leader of the new recovery advocacy movement, William White, to present his words publicly. It was the keynote to open up … Continue reading Recovery Centered Research Requires Accepted Definitions of Recovery –
Towards a Recovery Bill of Responsibilities: Stewardship of the Recovery Commons
This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of both Operation Understanding and Freedom Fest ’76, two of the most significant events in our history. The moment when some of the most respected Americans stood up publicly to be counted as members of the recovery community and to make recovery visible in our society. They stood up … Continue reading Towards a Recovery Bill of Responsibilities: Stewardship of the Recovery Commons
Perfecting Addictive Drug Delivery Systems for Children – The Puff Muff
“Realistically, if our company is to survive and prosper, over the long term, we must get our share of the youth market. In my opinion this will require new brands tailored to the youth market.” — Claude E. Teague, RJ Reynolds 1973 I learned about the Puff Muff device recently. The commercial interests have been … Continue reading Perfecting Addictive Drug Delivery Systems for Children – The Puff Muff
Current list of interviews on the first national meeting of the New Recovery Advocacy Movement in Saint Paul MN with key leaders, recovery leaders in Government and the Frontiers of Recovery Research interview series as of March 1st, 2026
Over the years in the course of my writings I have had the distinct honor to conduct interviews focused on historical and future oriented topics of interest to the New Recovery Advocacy Movement (NRAM). These interviews and those that follow into the future may be of interest to future leaders as recovery movements evolve over … Continue reading Current list of interviews on the first national meeting of the New Recovery Advocacy Movement in Saint Paul MN with key leaders, recovery leaders in Government and the Frontiers of Recovery Research interview series as of March 1st, 2026
An Interview with Caroline Beidler – The Future of Family Recovery as a Coproduced Collaborative Process of Resiliency: The Frontiers of Recovery Research Interview Series
What is this series of interviews? In April of 2024, I had the distinct honor of being asked by William White author and thought leader of the new recovery advocacy movement, to present his words as the keynote to open up the first annual NIDA Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science (CoARS) conference. The paper was … Continue reading An Interview with Caroline Beidler – The Future of Family Recovery as a Coproduced Collaborative Process of Resiliency: The Frontiers of Recovery Research Interview Series