Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Thursday, September 04, 2008
Addiction group hopes to put a voice to recovery
When Therese Roellich-Bernadot was a little girl she had a big dream to be a professional singer.
But she was sidetracked by an alcohol addiction that consumed most of her adolescence and early adulthood.
“A lot of people that are in the throws of an addiction have dreams that never get realized because their choices are impaired,” she said. “The drugs have control of them rather than having control of their own life.”
Today Roellich-Bernadot is a voice of recovery. She has been a vocal performer for 24 years and a recovering alcoholic for 27.
“Without the courage I had from being sober, I never would have taken that opportunity,” she said of her musical venture.
Roellich-Bernadot has organized other singers recovering from alcohol or drug addictions who will share their stories though song Friday at Riverside Park to celebrate recovery month.
In addition to live music, the recovery event will feature community members speaking about recovery, said Pat Ruda, director of the Coulee Council on Addictions.
“We make it a celebration of recovery because many people have come though our doors to get treatment for various addictions and have went on to live really fulfilled lives,” Ruda said.
Many who have substance abuse and dependency problems don’t seek treatment because they are embarrassed, feel there is a stigma attached or don’t know where to go, she said.
Of an estimated 22.6 million Americans with chemical dependency problems in 2006, only about 11 percent received treatment in special facilities, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Coulee Council on Addictions holds about 800 recovery-related events — including meetings, meals and lectures — each month, said Ruda.
Roellich-Bernadot said once people are free of chemicals, they can accomplish whatever they want.
“There is hope in recovery — give it one more chance and dreams can be realized,” she said.
If you go
What: Celebration of recovery month
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Riverside Park. In case of inclement weather, event will be at the Coulee Council on Addictions.
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