Former addicts celebrate recovery

Former addict Jimmy Cioe has been using his experiences with addiction to help others for the past 16 years.

“A moment of grace, grace from God, changed my life,” he said Tuesday night at the fourth annual Recovery Celebration in Chapel Hill.

“Eventually, that led me to work in treatment.”

The celebration was held at the Freedom House Recovery Center as part of National Recovery Month.

Cioe is a consumer affairs specialist for PBH-OPC Community Operations Center in Chapel Hill — an organization that helps individuals and families affected by substance use, developmental disabilities and mental illness.

Cioe’s job was created after the 2011 merger between Piedmont Behavioral Healthcare and the Orange-Person-Chatham Area Program.

“In our new structure, we have a community affairs department to make sure what we’re doing is working,” said Judy Truitt, area director for PBH-OPC.

Freedom House co-sponsored the event with PBH-OPC and Oxford House.

The event included speakers, testimonials and a performance by local band Red’s Rhythm.

About 50 people — including staff, community members and people who have received treatment at Freedom House — attended the event.

“It is a time to recognize and support family members, friends and fellow citizens who are working to overcome substance use to establish a sober, satisfied life,” said Bina Raskin of PBH-OPC.

The celebration is one of 30 events that will take place in North Carolina as part of National Recovery Month.

RecoveryNC is also hosting recovery events like the Recovery Celebration across the state, said Campaign Coordinator Donna Cotter.

“What we’re trying to do is explain to the nation, to North Carolina, the exact nature of addiction,” Cotter said. “What we’re advocating is long-term recovery support.”

At Tuesday’s celebration, Truitt spoke words of encouragement to the crowd.

“We believe in your ability to do this,” she said. “We believe you can succeed in the journey you’re on.”

One person who is on the road to recovery is 19-year-old James Livingston, who has been living at Freedom House since Saturday.

He is going through a detox program for addiction to opiates.

“It’s helping me out a whole lot,” he said. “They keep it straight with you.”

Cioe said it is important to celebrate recovery because it is hard for people who have not experienced it to understand the process.

“This is a concrete, real thing,” he said.

“That’s what I love about today. At least amongst ourselves, we want to spread the reality, joy and even the pain of recovery.”

“You could say I went from the dope house to no house to Freedom House,” he said. “I’m still going forward and I’m not going backward.”

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.