Dan

My name is Dan Whelan, and I am a person who is in long term recovery. What that means to me is that I have not had a drink or a drug since February 23, 2000. My story of my using days are not glamorous and do not include any arrests or DWIs, but my story does include the desperation a person feels when in active addiction. When I think back to where I was over 20 years ago and the feeling of not wanting to live anymore, the feeling of wanting to end my own life thinking that was the only solution. At some point I had some clarity that there was another option and started to attend self help meetings. At these meetings I felt welcomed and felt a sense of belonging, so I attended every day. With attending every day, relationships were built, and I was starting to have a network of people in recovery to be there for me when I was struggling. Without these relationships and their support, I do not know where I would be today. Recovery has given me many gifts and one of the most important gifts given me is the ability to be a father today. Coming into recovery I had three kids, but I was not always a father to them due to my active use. In recovery I had two more children and was able to be a stay-at-home dad as my wife went off to work. I was now trusted which was a new thing for me. Other gifts I have received is to watch other family members coming into recovery. Currently in my family my father, brother and two sisters are in recovery and attend self help meetings on a regular basis. After being a stay-at-home dad for four years I decided to go back to school and work in the field of addiction. I went to school and was able to get my CASAC and work in various treatment facilities in the tri-city area. Then I came to Second Chance Opportunities where I achieved my CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate) certification and have to ability to work with individuals in various stages of recovery. I am forever grateful for the recovery community and helping me be the person I am today.