Document text
Laying the foundation By Tammy Asnicar For the Mail Tribune Jan 21, 2017 12:00 AM A A After years swirling in a dark whirlpool of methamphetamine-induced criminal behavior, Mikey Kinler discovered hope — a light to guide his steps away from the drugs and out of the crime world. He says that last May when he found himself sitting in a jail cell yet again, he finally decided at age 40, “that was not what I wanted to do with my life anymore.” He says he was done with the “revolving doors” of various drug treatment programs, and “parole officers babysitting me.” The turning point, Kinler says, came when he met Douglas Gould, executive director of Foundations for Recovery, at a non-denominational Sunday evening worship service at the Jackson County Work Center in Talent, where he was incarcerated for parole violations. Gould handed him his business card, and it became a ticket that put him on “a better road.” The lifestyle Kinler was introduced to at age 13 had him spiraling further out of control after his brother’s death in a car accident in 2008 and his mother’s passing in 2011. The drugs did little to soothe his grief and only fueled his anger. And, while Kinler admits “it has been an uphill battle,” he is proud to declare that in February, he will be nine months clean and sober — no small feat considering meth controlled his life for more than 25 years. “I am still new to recovery,” Kinler says. “But, I have never felt this good.” FFR is a blend of one-on-one peer mentoring, family and parent support groups, health and wellness workshops and a 12-step program. Most clients also participate in Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery. The organization also networks with ARC (Addictions Recovery Center), OnTrack and Jackson County Mental Health. Gould also likens FFR to a “resource broker” connecting clients to jobs, school, housing and other community agencies that will aid and support their recovery. FFR does not charge for its services. State-approved to offer services, FFR is not yet certified to bill insurance. The nonprofit organization relies completely on donations from churches, businesses, monthly supporters and proceeds from community fundraising events such as the annual Drive out Drugs Recovery Festival and Carnival held in September. Kinler’s story is not unique. Kaylin and Andre Greadington, a young married couple, are 137 days clean and sober When several surgeries did not ease Kaylin’s chronic pain, and after Andre suffered severe back injuries in a car accident, the couple began their own long day’s journey into night. In a nutshell, all attempts at pain management were futile. They became more and more desperate as their tolerance to the prescribed medications grew. “It was out of control,” Kaylin says. “And, we were using way, way too much.” Andre calls it “a savage mentality” that had them doing anything and everything to sustain their habit. “We were in a dark, dark place,” he says. FFR was the light at the end of their tunnel. On average, 50 to 55 people come through FFR’s doors each week, says Gould, battling any number of addictions. Some share tales of a life spent at the bottom of a bottle or at the end of a needle. Some are held in the grip of pain medications, while others list gambling, sex or food as their drug of choice. But, they are slaying the demons with the help of a peer mentor — or what the faith-based addiction recovery program dubs a "personal recovery coach” — someone who was once caught in the grip of addiction, but is now living a clean and sober lifestyle. FFR has been providing peer support services in drug and alcohol addiction treatment in Jackson County since December 2011. Gould was one of the first peer mentor trainees in the program founded by the late Steve Hale. With Hale’s guidance, Gould was able to unravel layers of pain and recognize the triggers that knocked him off the wagon after 20 years of sobriety. His 14-year struggle with alcohol ended when a near-death experience had him calling on Hale, a fellow Christian. His own experience has made Gould a firm believer in “trauma-informed care” — a cornerstone in treating mental health issues. “Trauma is so often the root of addiction behavior,” says Gould, recalling his own painful divorce and the death of his parents. Currently, there are 22 volunteer recovery coaches sharing their stories of recovery. After an initial assessment, the client is matched with a coach who has had success in overcoming a similar addiction, Gould says. “What is cool about it, (the client) is comforted by someone who understands his/her struggle,” he adds. “Providing hope of change is a pathway to a clean and sober lifestyle. “When they are given hope, they do get well. Lives do change through hard work and dedication.” And, faith. The program is Christian-based. Gould believes faith helps addicts “learn to hope against the addiction.” “Faith, however, is not required; it is not mandatory,” he explains. “But, we should not be afraid to embrace faith and spirituality. Faith is a pathway to recovery.” There is, however, no evangelizing or doctrinal debates. Andre Greadington says the atmosphere is “compassionate and non-judgmental.” Clients are given the freedom to discover “their own pathway to making better choices,” Gould says. Kinler says he wouldn’t be where he is on his pathway “without help from higher powers” or the support of Scotty White, a recovery coach and overseer of the men’s programs. After completing his treatment and proven to be clean and sober, Kinler wants an opportunity to “pay it forward” helping others discover “a better way of life,” like White did for him. White’s back story is similar to Kinler’s. He started using at a young age, and “technically used for the next 36 years,” he says. “I did everything,” he adds. “Mostly, I did what the kids now call ‘black and white,’ a mix of tar heroin and meth.” “I did not know any other way of living.” He says he was “introduced to recovery in 2000,” but relapsed when he began abusing medications prescribed to battle a number of physical and mental issues. A drug-induced heart attack in 2013 left him clinically dead for six and half minutes, he says. “But, God had another plan,” he adds. “I had a second chance.” The Greadingtons appreciate their second chance. After taking a head-on look at the turmoil and trauma of his childhood, Andre says he has taken accountability for his “rap sheet” of violence and drug abuse. “There are no excuses, but there is a history,” he says. “I’m a better man having learned to take responsibility.” Granted, “not every day is easy,” says Kaylin Greadington. She is now a full-time student at Rogue Community College with the goal of becoming an alcohol and drug counselor. Andre landed a full-time job three months ago and wants to reach out to at-risk teens. “There is good work going on here,” says Gould. “But we can do more.” The five-year-old program has plans to move from tiny offices at 817 N. Central Ave. and open a 3,300-square-foot facility by April 1 in downtown Medford, at the corner of Sixth and Ivy. The renovated space will include a computer lab, a learning center for those who want to complete their GED, a kitchen and fitness area for health and wellness classes, and additional space for mentoring and group therapy. “We are committed to and appreciative of the community support in getting a handle on this thing,” Gould says of the epidemic of drug and alcohol-shattered lives. Kaylin and Andre Greadington will share their testimony of recovery from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Bobbio’s Pizza, 312 Oak St., Central Point. Their stories are part of a program entitled “The Opoid Overdose Epidemic.” Seats are limited. Call FFR at 541-245-4673 for reservations. — Reach Grants Pass freelance writer Tammy Asnicar at [email protected]. Mikey Kinler, a recovering meth addict, is now a peer mentor and in the internship program at Foundations for Recovery in Medford. Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch