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Booklet highlights roads to recovery

A new booklet published this week highlights the inspirational paths south-west people have taken to recover from addiction.

The booklet includes 10 entries from Western Region Alcohol and Drug Centre (WRAD)’s inaugural short story competition to showcase recovery from addiction, along with three profile stories of successful WRAD program participants.

WRAD Director Geoff Soma said the competition had exceeded all expectations.

“We were delighted with the response and the number of entries and quality of the stories,” Mr Soma said.

“The honesty and passion of the writers shone through, and these stories will provide encouragement for other people embarking on their own recovery story.”

Roads to Recovery: Inspiring Stories of Hope and Strength is now available at the WRAD Centre at 172 Merri Street and at www.wrad.org.au. Along with the competition entries, the booklet features three profile stories written by freelance journalist Rick Bayne.

Many of the stories relate first-hand experiences while others offer a fictional look at addiction.

The booklet has been sponsored by WDEA Works. CEO Tom Scarborough said WDEA Works was proud to support the WRAD Centre in printing Roads to Recovery and sharing the short stories of hope, recovery, struggle and triumph.

“It is our hope that the stories in this booklet reach those who need them and are kept in a place of pride by those who’s words and stories live within it,” Mr Scarborough said. “Thank you to the WRAD Centre for all you do for our community and to those who were brave enough to share their stories.” 

Judge Paul Jennings, who writes a foreword in the booklet, said the stories had been extremely moving.

“Judging was an incredibly difficult task because all the entries were fascinating and brave and also a good read,” Mr Jennings said.

The booklet features Shae Husson’s winning entry, Recovery. Ms Husson went from asking a friend for a few joints to help her sleep to an ice addiction before recovering.

She said sharing her story had been eye-opening and rewarding.

“Months on from winning the competition, I still get stopped in the street by people sharing their own experiences and accomplishments with recovery. It’s created a `safe space’ of sorts and I love that I was a part of it. I hope other people may read it and be inspired to start their own recovery.”