National Recovery Month - Recovery is Possible

Jason Arsenault, CARC, CRPA • September 19, 2022

National Recovery Month - Recovery is Possible

My name is Jason Arsenault and I’m a person in long term recovery, it took me some time to say it clearly and boldly without shame. 

September is one of my favorite months of the year, the beginning of Fall and National Recovery Month.   With each seasonal change and especially in September I take the opportunity to reflect on my journey in recovery and live in gratitude for how far I’ve come.


Today I have just over 8 years of sobriety from drugs and alcohol, as I write this I’m filled with an enormous sense of gratitude for my journey and for all the individuals that have supported me along the way.   I remember participating in a group in early recovery when the facilitator at the time said “it takes a village to recover” at the time I had no idea what it was like to depend on the help of others.  In the beginning of my recovery, I found it difficult to ask for help or guidance. I had so much self-will that I thought that I already had all the answers. I quickly learned that I didn’t know much about recovery and relied on the help of others that had done it before me. 


Throughout the years, I’ve started to “peel back the layers of the onion”, become vulnerable, honest and look at the underlying mental health challenges that lead me to addictive behaviors.  Recovery for me is a lifelong journey, with each minute, hour, day, week, year that passes I have an opportunity to grow, evolve and put my best foot forward and do the next right thing for myself and others. 


National Recovery month is a time to celebrate my own recovery and demonstrate to those that might be having a difficult or challenging time that recovery is possible.   Being a cheerleader, mentor, advocate and ally is part of my personal journey as well as my life’s work.  I believe in the power of example, demonstrating and supporting individuals along the way through the good times and challenges. 


In 2016 I became a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, a professional accreditation that would shape my career path.  Never did I think that my past substance misuse and mental health challenges would be helpful in supporting others wanting to recover.  The most impactful part of my training was the training on supporting individuals that practice harm reduction and engage in multiple pathways to recovery.  I also learned that a person is in recovery when they say that they are in recovery. Their pathway to recovery may look different then mine and if someone is showing up they have a desire to recover. 


Meeting individuals where they are at has provided me the opportunity to look at my journey, and acknowledge that I was seeking recovery long before I got sober.  Providing space,  guidance, and a non-judgmental approach has led many individuals that I have had the opportunity to work with over the years a sense of hope that has blossomed into sustainable recovery. 


Recovery coaching and peer support is beginning to get national recognition as an integral part of the continuum of care for both mental health and substance use disorders.  Bridging the gap between clinical care and clients engaging in daily life activities is so important for individuals in early recovery.  Using motivational interviewing to support an individual’s pathway is imperative. No one likes to be told what to do. It is important for them to come up with a plan of recovery with some guidance and shared lived experience.   Being a “truth teller” is a very important part of the peer advocate role, transparency and authenticity.


I’m grateful to work for You Are Accountable as Head of Business Development and Partnerships to expand our services to those that suffer from substance use disorders.  I’m grateful for our dedicated team of professionals, peers, advocates, cheerleaders and allies that use their life’s experiences to guide and provide hope to those seeking recovery. 


I learned early on in my recovery that my past does not have to dictate my future, but to use it as a strength to building a new future. 

"THE SECRET OF CHANGE IS TO FOCUS ALL OF YOUR ENERGY NOT ON FIGHTING THE OLD, BUT ON BUILDING THE NEW."

- Socrates

Jason's Story - From Rock Bottom to New Heights: My Journey of Recovery and Reinvention

By Jason Ertrachter • February 4, 2025
With over a decade of alcohol and drug abuse, it became clear I could not drink responsibly or consume in moderation. Upon further review, I came to understand I was never able to drink responsibly and was predisposed to consume in excess. Moderation is a construct I still don’t understand. Alcohol, drugs, sugar, ego, all things I love to indulge in. At 25 years old, weeks before the pandemic, I found myself being escorted by security from my beloved office in a sought-after industry in a glamorous part of Los Angeles. Pursuing a career in talent management, the late nights, weekly drinking, daily drug use culminated in the unavoidable fear, anxiety and sense of calamity that led me to recovery. I asked myself, “What was the common denominator between lost jobs, friends lost, arrests, hurt feelings and selfishness?” People, places, things were always changing, but the one constant in my story was me with drugs and alcohol. Walking into the West Hollywood Recovery Center on Monday February 5th, 2020 at noon was not my first meeting. It was, however, the first meeting at which I listened and actually took suggestions. Meetings as a teenager, and again in college when my drug use got bad, were simply to get people off my back. As I look back, I understand that I actually needed to get out of my own way, not have those who loved me off of my back. I am grateful to have gotten sober during a time when the world shut down and so many struggled. I had nowhere to go, no outside distractions to challenge my commitment. I fully emerged myself in meetings and all that AA had to offer for young people. There were thousands of virtual meetings at every hour of the day, but more importantly, rooms and outdoor meetings in LA that never missed a beat. There was an underground community of meeting makers that continued to go to in-person meetings, masks on, hugs and fellowship. I found that the work of early recovery far outweighed the isolation. I left the entertainment industry with two years of sobriety. New career opportunities opened up pretty quickly for me. Transitioning into the startup and tech sales world, I was able to move back home to New York and be closer to my family. As my sobriety continued, new career paths continued to present themselves. When I was introduced to Matt and AJ, I was immediately impressed with their mission and welcomed the opportunity to join the team. I am confident that the combination of my personal and professional success, as well as my CARC, CRPA certification, made my decision the perfect one for me. Having hit my stride in my own recovery, I now see that that my purpose is to help others. It is a purpose I do not take lightly. I bring the same energy and focus that has helped me to get where I am today to other individuals and families alike looking for a better way.

Stephanie's Story - My Journey to Addiction Recovery and Giving Back

By Stephanie Myers, CPRS • January 29, 2025
My name is Stephanie Myers, and I am excited to be part of the incredible team at You Are Accountable . As difficult as my journey prior to recovery was, I am grateful for every step along the way. My recovery journey began five years ago through what I believe was divine intervention. At my lowest point—mentally, physically, and spiritually—I was led to a 12-step recovery program. Most of my life was spent seeking relief from my internal and external struggles. During my teenage years, I thought I had found a solution, but my addiction only progressed, leading me to the depths of despair. My addiction compromised my morals, diminished my integrity, and left me with a profound sense of hopelessness. Overwhelmed by guilt and shame, I realized that everything in my life had to change. I became willing to do whatever it took to shift the trajectory of my life. Gradually, I connected with others who understood my pain and had found their way to recovery. I dedicated myself to internal work and began to fill the spiritual void that I had been attempting to fill with substances. Today, my life is filled with purpose, love, and more beauty than I could have ever imagined five years ago. It is my passion to help others realize that there is hope on the other side of addiction. As a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, I strive to help plant the seed of recovery and help others grow along their path to recovery.

Brittany's Story: Overcoming Addiction to Find Hope, Healing, and Purpose

By Brittany Pealer, CRPS • January 28, 2025
My name is Brittany, and I’m honored to be part of the team at You Are Accountable . My journey to recovery has been filled with struggles, lessons, and, ultimately, transformation. For years, I lived in the utter hopelessness of addiction, believing there was no way out. A "normal" life felt completely out of reach, and even as a child, I never felt like I had a true purpose. Throughout my active addiction, I found myself trapped in a relentless cycle. I would put one substance down—whether through treatment or court-ordered intervention—but almost immediately, I would pick up another. Each time, I restarted the same painful, destructive cycle, convinced that I could never break free. It wasn’t until I realized that recovery is an inside job that things began to change. Changing people, places, and things (and substances) can only do so much for so long; true recovery requires doing the hard work within. My turning point came when I became pregnant with my first daughter. For the first time in my life, I found a reason to fight for something greater than myself. That moment marked the beginning of my journey to recovery, and through that journey, I discovered the life I never thought was possible. Today, I’m blessed with an amazing job, a beautiful family with two incredible daughters, and an active role in my recovery community. As a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and Recovery Coach, I am passionate about helping others find hope and healing. I understand the challenges of breaking free from addiction, and I’m living proof that it’s possible to create a life filled with purpose, joy, and connection. Recovery has given me everything I once believed was out of reach, and I’m honored to walk alongside others as they embark on their own journeys to freedom.
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