TWM Gives Back: Recovery Resource Council

Prince believes that sharing his recovery story is crucial to his sobriety and mental health.

Prince was raised by his grandmother, with the help of an aunt, because his mother had substance abuse issues. In 1999 he joined the Army Infantry Division as a cavalry scout. Once in the Army, he felt he finally had an outlet for his frustrations, and his drinking increased as he began to face the trauma from his childhood.

In 2017, Prince was offered outpatient treatment at Recovery Resource Council once he finished three months of residential treatment that was ordered by the Veteran’s Court. Having been through treatment and relapse before, this time through the Council’s outpatient program was different, which included Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

He also went through relationship training with his son’s mom, which significantly improved their relationship with each other and their child. Consequently, Prince was able to spend more time with his son, an invaluable benefit to his recovery journey. “The more I help people, the more it helps me. I’m not alone going through issues. [I’m] glad I got some help to change for the better.”

The residential Veteran Affairs (V.A.) program at Recovery Resource Council frequently asks Prince to come back and speak to residents, including when he received his 1-year chip. Prince says, “it felt good to know when you do little things you have an impact.” He could tell those he spoke to, “I was in your seat once.”

Prince says he struggled to manage his anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic, and he’s leaned on his relationships with his former counselors, like Christi Weaver, the Council Director of Recovery Services, to be able to continue his recovery journey. Today Prince is a graduate of Tarleton State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and is now a supervisor with his current employer. “[I] have so much to lose now. My kids, my job, my notary business and insurance license. Addiction is going to take away something – your time and your energy.”   Things like online therapy, prescribed medication for his anxiety, writing, equine therapy, and effective stress management are all part of Prince’s daily life.

Local nonprofit, Recovery Resource Council, is working hard to help those who have nowhere else to turn with wellness and recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders and trauma.   With your support we can ensure North Texas veterans, unsheltered people, youth, and families have low-cost and free addiction and mental healthcare treatment options.

To support this, and other local deserving nonprofits, visit www.GreatestGiftCatalogEver.org

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Christine Jones is the Executive Director for The Greatest Gift Catalog Ever, a local communications platform that works with 22 local charities to get their missions and messages out to Tarrant County neighbors.  She is also maidservant to her miniature dachshund, Tex, who allows her to work most days.