Alcoholics Anonymous Reviews

After overcoming her alcoholism, Debbie Garrett became a facilitator for a women's support group that explores the link between addiction and domestic abuse/sexual assault at CARE. As a host of the event, Garrett offers bracelets that read "Recovery is everywhere."

Eecovery from alcoholism is no longer a secret journey.

In celebration of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, Deb Garrett of Roseville and Renee Palmer of Southfield are sharing their success stories in the hope of reaching those in need of a role model.

"It's especially important during an election year to let the policymakers know: We vote, we're not the minority," said Garrett, chairwoman for Greater Macomb Project Vox, a group dedicated to education and advocacy. "We need to keep treatment dollars in place — they're taking money away from them. Treatment is necessary. It works. It worked for me. And in the end, it saves the community money; money through lost wages, health insurance claims and loss of life."

Garrett, who facilitates a women's support group that explores the link between addiction and domestic abuse/sexual assault at CARE, teamed with Palmer Sept. 13 and 14 to help host the 6th annual Walk and Rally for Recovery at Belle Isle and the first annual Recovery Fest at Huron Park in Roseville.

"Alcoholism is a disease, not a disgrace," said Palmer, who oversees Women for Sobriety of southeast Michigan, an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous that focuses on the positive. "Society tells us: 'Addicts are bad.' Recovery doesn't work. It's just not true. I've been (sober) for nine years, had zero relapses and life couldn't be better. I don't think I could ever go back there."

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2007:

An estimated 22.3 million people aged 12 or older were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year, equivalent to 9 percent of the population aged 12 or older.

3.9 million people aged 12 or older (1.6 percent of the population) received some kind of treatment for problems related to the use of alcohol or illicit drugs.

Among the 3.9 million people aged 12 or older who received treatment for alcohol or illicit drug use in the past year, 2.2 million of them received treatment at a self-help group, and 1.7 million received treatment at a rehabilitation facility as an outpatient.

"Treatment does not work for all people who suffer from cancer, heart disease or diabetes," said Kathy Rager, executive director of CARE, a Macomb-based nonprofit committed to community empowerment. By the same token, "Treatment for alcoholism and other drug addiction does not work for everyone (either).

"My brother died at the age of 38 after participating in treatment programs. My sister died at the age of 50 after very limited treatment," Rager said.

In both cases, treatment for alcohol addiction did not come quickly enough.

But it can and does work much of the time; Rager sees it on a daily basis -— and believes so strongly in its wisdom that she has devoted her entire career to helping those who want treatment find access.

Here are two local success stories:

Deb Garrett, who got divorced and sober within six weeks, on the heels of her third DUI (driving under the influence), was fortunate to collect a small financial settlement from the sale of her marital home.

"I had a bit of money that allowed me to pay for time in a treat

ment center," said Garrett, who has been sober since November 2001. "If I didn't have that money, I would have had to go to prison because of the DUI.

"One in three women becomes a victim of some form of violence," said Garrett, who helps run her family's Roseville-based roofing company. "Seventy-five percent of those will go on to abuse some sort of substance.

"Part of the message I would like to get out: If you are a person in recovery, putting a face on your journey encourages people who might not otherwise seek treatment," Garrett said. "The advocacy movement is thriving and growing all over the country. We invite you to be a part of it."

For Renee Palmer, getting sober meant first relinquishing custody of her 7-year-old son to her ex-husband.

She kept her head, got back together with the loving and supportive ex-boyfriend — who told her not to come back until she was sober — and eventually won sole legal and permanent physical custody of her son.

"My twin sister had to bail me out of jail," Palmer said. "I lost everything: my house, my job, my son. I had nothing."

Hitting bottom provided the much-needed catalyst for getting sober with the help of AA and Women for Sobriety. She then reconnected with her ex-boyfriend who "saved my life" with his zero-tolerance attitude.

"Now I have everything: an awesome job as an estimator for a supportive employer, a wonderful husband and a great relationship with my oldest son," said Palmer, who, in addition to serving as a certified moderator for the Women for Sobriety group in Livonia, was voted in 2005 to serve on its board of directors.

"My second husband has since blessed me with another son," Palmer continued. "I got to watch him graduate from kindergarten, we just went to his first soccer game and — best of all — I was sober for it," Palmer said. "It just makes me all the more grateful."

For women, low self-esteem and abusive relationships often lead to alcoholism, Palmer said.

"It's amazing how it all weaves together," Palmer said. "There's more to addiction than what people initially think."

Daily Tribune