Celebrating a first graduating class

Recoveries R US students complete substance abuse counselor training program

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Recoveries R US, an organization that educates future New York state-certified alcohol- and substance-abuse counselors, welcomed their first graduating class of nine students at a ceremony held in Inwood on Dec. 9. The program combines 350 hours of course work with internship experience.

Connie Pacheco, president of Recoveries R US, opened the school at 420 Doughty Blvd., on Sept. 25 of last year. Pacheco worked as a substance-abuse counselor in New York City for nearly 30 years. “This is my baby,” she said of Recoveries R US, “It’s well on its way,” adding that it will soon be relocating next door to have more space. 

A substance abuse counselor is a mental health professional that specializes in treating patients with chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol. The ultimate goal is to help a client overcome his or her reliance and maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle. These counselors cannot prescribe medication or provide psychological therapy, but instead act as mentors. 

Osan “Little Bit” Abbot, 22, who is the youngest graduate in the class, who got the nickname from her classmates because of her age and short stature, was one of four student speakers. She was born in Jamaica and now lives in Springfield Gardens. She currently works at Catholic Charities on Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway as a family associate. “I’ve always been a people person and I always wanted to help,” Abbot said. While pursing an associate’s degree, she took a drug and behavioral course that inspired her to consider becoming a credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor. 

Brooklyn native, Brenda Bostic, a 51-year-old graduate, was inspired to enter into the field through life experience. She has been clean for nearly 12 years and said that since she often encounters people with substance abuse problems, she decided to learn how she could help them. “The payment is helping somebody else,” Bostic said of her internship experience thus far at New York Service Network, a licensed chemical dependence outpatient program in Brooklyn.

Annette Rivera, 48, from Brooklyn, said she was also motivated to complete the CASAC training program after 22 years of dealing with her own substance abuse experience. “It’s my calling,” she said of entering the field, and is now working on getting her master’s degree in human services. 

After completing the program and passing an exam, these students are known as Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC). The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services regulates the chemical dependence treatment agencies in New York State and oversees the education and training at Pacheco’s school.

“Recovery is a long and painful process and it cannot be done alone,” County Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Elmont), the class of 2016’s keynote speaker, said.