This is the second in a series of interviews of people in and around the Recovery Space. Who are you? My name is John Winslow and I am a person in long-term recovery. For me that means that I have not used alcohol or other substances for over 44 years. I’m what we refer to … Continue reading Recovery Review Interview – John Winslow
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.
REFLECTIONS ON RECOVERY REPRESENTATION (BILL WHITE AND BILL STAUFFER)
Since its inception in the late 1990s, a central goal of the new recovery advocacy movement has been assuring the representation of recovering individuals and families in the decision-making venues that affect their lives. As this movement matured, the complexities of achieving such representation became increasingly apparent. Dynamics within and beyond communities of recovery can … Continue reading REFLECTIONS ON RECOVERY REPRESENTATION (BILL WHITE AND BILL STAUFFER)
A Cautionary Tale of Out of Town Experts, White Elephants and Erosion of Authentic Communities
It is an age-old story, out of area well-meaning experts descend on a community bearing big ideas, big money and big projects to improve things for the natives. They build a road, dam, or a well or a school and fundamentally change the dynamics of things that were working in those communities before their arrival. … Continue reading A Cautionary Tale of Out of Town Experts, White Elephants and Erosion of Authentic Communities
Supporting Long term Recovery and the Tragedy of the Commons
Strengthening and supporting long term recovery for diverse communities across multiple pathways of recovery is a goal that would reap huge benefits for our entire society. As I have written about before, the single most important focus of substance use treatment and recovery policy in the United States should be on getting as many people … Continue reading Supporting Long term Recovery and the Tragedy of the Commons
The Road Ahead: Marginalization or Inclusion of the Faces and Voices of Recovery?
"What is past is prologue" as William Shakespeare once said. While this does not mean that history is fated to repeat itself, it does point to the tendency for patterns to echo. Understanding those patterns can help us understand the present and potential risks we face currently. Readers interested in learning about our history, the … Continue reading The Road Ahead: Marginalization or Inclusion of the Faces and Voices of Recovery?
Fostering Big Tent Recovery
Recovery Movement Ahead: Embracing Kindred Groups While Retaining Focus on Our Common Purpose
Have been listening and reflecting as of late on where the recovery movement has come from and where we are headed next. We have faced and endured many challenges, both internal and external to the movement. We have done so by remaining focused on our common purpose. Basic tenants of recovery such as tolerance, humility … Continue reading Recovery Movement Ahead: Embracing Kindred Groups While Retaining Focus on Our Common Purpose
On Improving Recovery Engagement In the Context of Increased Social Isolation and Loneliness
I recently attended a webinar on loneliness and the COVID-19 Pandemic by the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness. The physical health and mortality facets of social isolation are jaw dropping. We need to focus more of our resources on recognition of social isolation as a health determinant in respect to substance use conditions … Continue reading On Improving Recovery Engagement In the Context of Increased Social Isolation and Loneliness
WE NEED MORE RECOVERY CUSTODIANS AND FEWER RECOVERY ROCK STARS (BILL STAUFFER AND BILL WHITE)
Definition of Custodian – a person who has responsibility for or looks after something. We are in a critical stage of the recovery movement in America, and we need to think carefully on what direction we go as a community and what we do to ensure that we expand recovery opportunities for the next generation. … Continue reading WE NEED MORE RECOVERY CUSTODIANS AND FEWER RECOVERY ROCK STARS (BILL STAUFFER AND BILL WHITE)
The Digitalization of Recovery: Supporting those Left Behind (Bill Stauffer and Bill White)
Recent essays predicted the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of addiction recovery and celebrated the resilience of communities of recovery as they transitioned from face-to-face to online recovery support meetings. This brief article calls attention to those potentially left behind in this transition to digital support and explores the ethical and effective … Continue reading The Digitalization of Recovery: Supporting those Left Behind (Bill Stauffer and Bill White)
Recovery Review 