Editor’s Note: Carolyn Hamilton was nominated for the Recovery Hero campaign by her team at REdisCOVERY. OCH is inspired by Carolyn’s story and all the amazing ways that REdisCOVERY supports the community. The blog post below was written by Amy Miller at REdisCOVERY.
As of August 19, 2022, Carolyn has earned 1073 days in recovery – or 2 years, 11 months and 8 days free from an addiction that began with willingness, surrender, and participation in a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. During active struggle with substance use, Carolyn went to and completed inpatient treatment multiple times, experienced intimate partner violence and significant grief and loss.
November 11, 2019 was the day Carolyn took back control of her life. Since 2019, Carolyn has built her recovery through participation in 12 step programs, sponsorship, Oxford Housing, and sheer grit. She rose to the challenge of becoming a wonderful mother and role model to others.
In January of 2020, Carolyn began working with REdisCOVERY as a Community Change Agent in the Outreach Team. She worked hard to earn the title of Certified Peer Counselor for the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery and was promoted to LEAD Community Change Agent for the Outreach Team. In March of 2022, Carolyn was again promoted. Carolyn currently serves the Clallam County community as the Outreach Coordinator.
Part of Carolyn’s work includes making space for recovery in others’ lives, helping to find hope in what may appear hopeless and educating the community on the disease of addiction. Carolyn knows from experience there is no such thing as a “lost cause”. Carolyn is a walking, talking advertisement for what life with recovery can be. As Outreach Coordinator, Carolyn is responsible for training her team members in the values and mission of REdisCOVERY. We’ve always done it a bit differently. This training process is without end and can often begin with those in the early stages of recovery with limited work experiences. Carolyn displays unyielding patience and compassion to those seeking recovery, those sharing their recovery, and those who are thinking about what recovery may mean to them. Utilizing her own experiences and leveraging relationships with successful providers she has helped well over 150 individuals see their needs met and see that recovery is possible-no matter what!
REdisCOVERY and the Community Change Agents she works with are lucky to have Carolyn running the Outreach Team, the community has also experienced positive effects of her work.
We are beyond proud of who Carolyn has taught herself to be. I look forward to being a small part of her journey towards changing the world.