HOULTON, Maine — Richard Silliboy of Houlton knows first hand how the dangers of alcohol can consume an individual’s life.
The youngest of a large family of alcoholics, Silliboy said he was almost destined to follow in his family’s footsteps.
“I hated growing up in that (environment), and said I was never going to wind up like that, but then I turned into an alcoholic before I was a teenager,” he said. “I did that for quite a few years.”
Today, though, Silliboy is proud to say he is working on his 17th year of sobriety thanks to the help of recovery programs.
Silliboy was one of many individuals who came out Saturday morning for the third annual Link for Hope Coalition Recovery Walk to raise awareness for addiction and the long road it takes to recover. About 25 people participated in the event, which began at the Gentle Memorial Building and ended at the Gateway Crossing Bridge, where a short ceremony was held.
Silliboy said many of the 12-step programs designed to help those with addictions are often empty as people do not come out to support group meetings like they once did.
“There is a problem we have here in Aroostook County with alcohol and drugs,” he said. “My thought is people who are addicted to drugs have a more difficult time reaching out (for help). An alcoholic typically wants to get help to quit drinking. But a drug addict is looking for his or her next fix.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) declared September as National Recovery Month to recognize those who have been struck with the disease of addiction.
“We are doing this walk in honor of people in our community who are trying to gain their sobriety and celebrate those who have been successful and remember those who have not,” said Trudy Rairdon, a member of the Link for Hope Coalition. “There are people in recovery here in our community, and events like this help remind people to celebrate them.”
Link for Hope is a non-profit, community based coalition with a vision of promoting health, safety and quality of life for all youth, families and community members in southern Aroostook County.
Those in recovery are not simply limited to drug or alcohol addictions. According to organizers of the walk, recovery can also involve habits, hang-ups or hurts one has gone through. One person in attendance admitted to working on co-dependency issues.
Sue Brooks of Raymond made the trek north to Houlton to participate in Saturday’s walk.
“Addiction is a real family disease,” she said. “I attend Alcoholic Anonymous meetings and anytime we can support recovery anywhere in the state it’s important to do so. My mother was the first one in our family to sober up. Myself and all my children are also now in recovery and we are all still alive thanks to programs that were offered.”
This past summer, the Aroostook Mental Health Center received a grant to open the Southern Aroostook Recovery Center (SARC) as well as a Recovery Center in Caribou. The group is still searching for just the right location to house its center in Houlton.
For more information on the Southern Aroostook Recovery Center, visit Link for Hope’s Facebook page.
