Local Rehab Employs Recovering Addicts

CROWNSVILLE, Md. - Dec. 8, 2015 - PRLog -- Serenity Acres, an inpatient luxury addiction treatment center located just outside of Annapolis, MD, promotes the idea that a vital aspect of any successful rehab program is relatability. It is essential that clients are reassured that they are NOT alone, that addiction IS a disease, and that recovery IS possible. This is why Larry Adler, CEO and founder, not only accepts but encourages employment applications from people who are in recovery themselves.

While other businesses may shy away from the idea of employing former addicts and alcoholics, Larry and the administrative staff at Serenity Acres subscribe to two key beliefs; that everyone deserves a second chance and those in recovery can provide empathy that supports recovery in others.

The first belief is that everyone deserves a second chance. The havoc that drugs and alcohol can wreak on a person’s life has been illustrated time and time again,  but it is entirely possible for a person to recover and contribute positively as an employee to any organization. The unfortunate truth is that there is still a considerable stigma surrounding addiction and alcoholism, which is infinitely damaging to those who are trying to get sober or who are trying to rebuild their lives in recovery.

One challenge faced by many in recovery is finding stable employment. Many have been through the court system and have made mistakes, but have gotten sober and are actively participating in a program of recovery. The challenge of finding employment (or having to hide their recovery from their employer for fear of repercussion or judgment) turns stability into the carrot constantly being dangled in front of them, just out of reach. The environment at Serenity Acres allows these people to turn their darkest moments and painful past into experience that can be used to help others.

The other central belief behind the practice of hiring those in recovery is that it has been proven that clients feel more comfortable being open and honest with staff who can attest to similar experiences. As one client reported at the successful completion of his treatment, “It was really helpful knowing the staff had been where I am now. It established a trust there and helped me take down my walls, and opened me up to the amazing therapy available here.” With roughly 80% of Serenity Acres’ staff in stable, long-term recovery, they can relate their own experiences to the clients. This provides a much more viable source of hope to clients than someone who has never personally experienced the challenges and misery of addiction.

So many addicts and alcoholics have had well-meaning people (though who have not shared similar experiences) ask them questions like, “Why can’t you just stop?” and “Don’t you want a better life?” The truth is, for any addict or alcoholic, it is rarely that simple. In most cases, recovery is the result of utter desperation, intensive therapy, and continued work in a program of recovery. The fact that many of Serenity Acres’ employees are not only in long-term recovery, but are themselves alumni of this facility, provides hope to the clients that they, too, can recover. And hope is vital to the beginning of a new life.