Scott McLane’s journey to sobriety was long, and extremely difficult. McLane was not your normal every day advocate of long-term recovery. McLane is very adamant in his belief that the traditional addiction treatment systems failed him personally. Stories of disassociated workers in AA meetings and sponsors not meeting with McLane made it hard for him to stay stable and get to a point where he could start is recovery. He finally was able to stay sober and graduate from Rutgers University and start his life again.

McLane brought along friend, Richard, who is also in long-term recovery. Richard told his life story that resembled a roller coaster. Richard’s early years were filled with reoccurring DUI’s in different states, constantly moving and losing touch with those he loved. He finally got into recovery and went back to school, springing his career as an executive producer for MSNBC. However, Richard would relapse and fall into an awful place in his life, doing cocaine daily to balance out his alcohol addiction. Richard sought out help and has since started his long-term recovery again.

These two men give a very interesting look at the difference of recovery based on the individual. Some people battling addiction aren’t meant for the routine recovery methods that most are accustom too. Some benefit from the system that is in place and has helped so many others. Recovery is not a straightforward answer. It’s more of an open-ended question that the man or woman battling addiction must find the answer to themselves. Despite the differences in their stories, both men agreed that the best way to stay sober is helping another person in recovery. Both working as sponsors, and feel as though this is the best way to keep themselves in long-term recovery.

*This post was edited in January 2019 to remove the last name of one of the guest speakers at his request.