Volunteer Spotlight: Shannon

Shannon is a volunteer recovery coach for Healthy Acadia.  Her very personal experiences with substance use brought her to the program and are what drives her to help others in recovery.

In 2019, I took the recovery coach academy training in Ellsworth with Denise Black and Donna Mitchell. A  few months later, I took the emergency room recovery coach training in Bangor, both times receiving my certification.  

I got started with this training due to very “in my face” personal reasons.  I was born to a mother who had PTSD, depression, had substance use disorders, and suffered much trauma in her life. Though she had her own struggles, her love for me was un-ending and I loved her so much. Just last year I lost her due to ramifications from her substance use.

I was fortunate enough to have wonderful grandparents who raised me for most of my life until I was 18. I did live with my mother randomly.   In my early teens, I started to experiment with various substances. In my twenties, I, myself, was a fully functioning working woman with my own substance use disorder.

Even though I watched the struggles that my own mother went through and dealt with my own demons, I always knew that one day I would be living a sober life and helping others that were afflicted with the same problems that we had. I just didn’t know when that would happen for me.  In 2012 the tides began to turn. I put down the needles, the cocaine and decided to start a new life. I left my relationship and moved back home to Hancock County

Things have come full circle for me. I’ve seen the things that others go through, and I’ve gone through them myself.  I’m extremely proud to be a part of Healthy Acadia and the Recovery Coaching team. Though I am a busy woman, I got my first recoveree just three months ago and she is currently in a 1-year program many states away. No matter the distance, I couldn’t be more proud of her and all of her hard work. She and this work has changed my heart and my life. Life is beautiful, and we all deserve happiness.

Shannon serves as a recovery coach with Healthy Acadia’s community coaching program.

Recovery Coach Academy is free and open to anyone seeking to learn more about substance use disorder and is also the first step toward becoming a recovery coach. Learn more about the program and/or register for an upcoming session here.