It’s difficult for people to understand just how painful recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol is unless they themselves have weathered the storm. Many people have to rebuild their lives from the ground up and develop a completely new sense of meaning and purpose. This takes time, and, as anyone who’s battled addiction can attest, the slow turn of the calendar can feel like an enemy.
For those that do hold strong and make it safely ashore, they are often forever grateful and seek ways to give back some of the support and love they received along the way.
Matthew, the founder of Books for Recovery, is just such a person. We met Matthew on social media and were inspired by his mission to help others as they begin their journey of recovery. Battling alcoholism throughout his 20s, he writes of those turbulent years, “I was a shell of the person I once was, and the worst part was… I knew it.” At the age of 27, he reached out and received help from family, friends and medical professionals.
When he was just beginning his recovery, Matthew admits that he looked for ways to fill time. He writes, “I have always loved to read, but during my early recovery, I often looked to books for inspiration, education, hope, empathy and, most importantly, to occupy my mind.” In 2014, a year and a half clean and sober, Matthew started selling books through his Amazon store, Wares of the Coast.
He has since created an Indiegogo campaign, a project called Books For Recovery: Time To Give Back, with the goal of providing free books to those currently in recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol. On his project page, Matthew writes, “Those in recovery are often depressed, guilt ridden and feel like the world is against them, but through giving, I can offer a small glimmer of hope to those currently suffering.”
In raising funds through donations, Books For Recovery has the following goals:
- Partner with recovery facilities across the country
- Offering people entering treatment the opportunity to choose a free book during their time in rehab
- Receive donated books to increase inventory and choices for readers
- Be able to purchase shipping supplies, such as labels and mailers
- Maintain a modest space to store the inventory of free books
The disease of addiction is no longer an illness that should cause shame. With nearly 18 million adults in the United States suffering some degree of dependence to alcohol, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), it’s likely that everyone knows or is related to someone struggling with these issues.
Individuals like Matthew, who have made it through these rough and dangerous waters and have offered a helping hand to others who follow after them, serve as an inspiration. Gratitude and kindness are powerful enough to pierce the armor of guilt and denial that can keep people locked in their addictions. We respect and admire Matthew for his devotion to not just his own recovery, but also his willingness to give back to others.
More information is available on his website, Books For Recovery.
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