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Our 1st Virtual Memory Walk / Recovery Run​
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Every April since 2015, Rage Against Addiction held its Memory Walk / Recovery Run at Cedar Lane Regional Park in Bel Air, MD. However, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, all schools and non-essential businesses are closed, and all events, including those hosted by RAA, have been cancelled or postponed until further notice. We know how important it is to continue helping those in addiction, encouraging those in recovery, and remembering those lost so we held our 1st virtual Memory Walk / Recovery Run on Saturday, April 4, 2020. We asked our supporters and Facebook followers to still walk or run but to do it in their neighborhood, and to take photos and videos of their loved ones who have been affected by addiction (you can view some of the photos on the event’s Facebook page.) We had a wonderful turn-out; prior to this event going virtual, many participants had already registered as a walker or runner, or donated via PayPal or to the event’s fundraising page. As the virtual event unfolded that morning, donations continued to come in to support Rage Against Addiction.
Though we all couldn’t join together side-by-side, it was amazing to know of the love, the hope, and the contributions from many of you. Addiction does not discriminate and it does not stop because of other serious illness and diseases. We are grateful to our supporters and our sponsors. We cannot do this without your generosity.
Substance Abuse Disorder and COVID-19
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In the last month or so, our nation has been dealing with uncertainty, frustration, isolation, and many other emotions as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been rapidly spreading through hospitals and communities. Many other countries have been dealing with this illness longer than we have, and while most of us expected that numerous businesses and schools would shut down, it has been quite difficult to adjust to the separation and lack of personal interaction. However, for those wrestling with alcohol and drug addiction, this time has proven to be extra problematic as face-to-face Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings have been cancelled, many people’s jobs are on hold or even lost, finances are tight, and the loneliness, lack of routine, and unpredictability can be huge triggers for anyone with substance abuse disorder or mental illness.
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Addiction and mental illness do not follow the safety protocols in place to slow the spread of COVID-19; people are extremely stressed, and they are still struggling to get sober or stay sober. People are still dying from addiction, and to add more heartbreak to an already awful situation, many family members now cannot even have a proper goodbye. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this virus could be especially serious to those who smoke tobacco, marijuana, or who vape. Those who use opioids, either as prescribed or recreationally, or who use methamphetamines are also vulnerable because of the effects on respiratory and pulmonary health. Many individuals struggling with addiction and/or mental illness are more likely to experience homelessness and/or incarceration, and these circumstances carry unique challenges concerning the transmission of COVID-19.
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If you know someone who has substance abuse disorder or any kind of mental illness, please reach out, either by phone call, text or a drive-by visit where you can personally interact at a safe distance. Consider dropping off groceries or other needed items, mail a card, or have something special delivered. Any act of kindness and thought will certainly go a long way.
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If you are struggling in any way, please contact your local resources. Your area’s hospitals and churches could point you toward virtual Narcotics / Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and your health insurance company could assist you in finding online therapy sessions or inpatient/outpatient mental health facilities. Consider contacting your sponsor for one-on-one virtual meetings, regional rehabilitation centers, or sober living houses. You can also check out the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for information and confidential referrals for substance abuse and mental disorders. If you still need assistance with finding online meetings, please send us a message on our Facebook page and we will try to help as best as we can.
We Do Recover:
​Kameren J.
July 20, 2013
of seeing me deteriorate. I fought a lot with my dad; my mom just cried. I barely spoke to my younger sister. I knew my family loved me and it hurt them to see me self destruct but I had no idea how to fix my problem because I didn’t think I even had a problem. It wasn’t until I crashed my car for the second time – but this time it was into my sister’s car parked in the driveway as I tried to sneak out at night – that I realized that perhaps something needed to change. You would think that it finally hit me that that *I* was the one that needed to change but in my altered state of mind, I believed what needed to change was where I was living. I packed up the next day and stayed with a friend for a couple of months. I didn’t offer to fix the damage to my sister’s car because I had no job and no money, and I stopped answering phone calls from my family. After my friend’s girlfriend kicked me out because I was “not positively contributing”, I ended up homeless. This lasted about 6 months until I finally sat on my parents’ front porch, waiting for them to come home from work, and asked them to let me move back in. Their condition was that I had to go to therapy appointments, AND check into a rehab facility. With the help of someone at their church, I entered rehab 3 days after showing up on their porch. I thought it’d be a waste of time. But I met a sponsor there, really paid attention to what was said, and behaved. On my second day out, I met with my therapist for the first time, and met with him once a week for the first year and now I see him twice a month. I also attend AA meetings once a week with my sponsor. I read The Bible, write out my thoughts, and really reflect on what was and what is. It’s not easy though. Some days are horrible. I cannot attend social functions that have alcohol, so invitations to places have been few and far between. My circle of friends has gotten smaller but that’s okay. Whenever I feel stressed – which is a lot lately - I would love “just one” drink but I know that would be dangerous for me. Thankfully I am able to meet with my sponsor and therapist online, and have been attending church and AA meetings online too. My family always loved me, even when I screwed up, but I can feel the true happiness they have for me now that my life is going in a positive direction and that I am healthy. My message to anyone out there who was or is where I was: move forward. One step and one breath at a time. It’s not easy and it takes work, but your life is on the line.
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Written By:
Kameren J. (Philadelphia, PA)
I have been in recovery since July 20, 2013. That is when I had my last drink. As of April 1, 2020, that is 2,448 days (or 6 years, 8 months, and 13 days). I mark each day off on my calendar as a reminder of where I’ve come from and where I’m headed. I started drinking alcohol when I was about 16 years old; I drank it occasionally with friends in our woods. I realized it eased my anxiety so I continued to drink. And drink. I graduated from high school but not with the grades I wanted. I went to college occasionally but soon dropped out because I was not able to function and hide my drinking. I bounced from girlfriend to girlfriend, but soon women and my friends didn’t want to be around me. I held odd jobs but didn’t last long at any of them so I was not able to get my own place. I lived in my parents’ basement but eventually they were tired
Community Programs
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*Please be aware that some policies, locations, programs, and contact information have changed due to COVID-19 protocols.*
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Ashley Addiction Treatment: An inpatient treatment center that personalizes clinical programs based on individual need. Located in Havre De Grace, MD. Please visit here or call 800-799-4673 for information about online and in-person meeting services.
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Celebrate Recovery: a local support group for those with addictive behaviors. Located in Bel Air, MD and Joppa, MD. *Online meetings are now available.*
Mt. Zion Church in Bel Air, MD: Please contact lheitmuller@zoominternet.net.
Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, MD: Please register here to join.
(Postponed: The group is usually held at Mt. Zion Church at 5:45pm on Thursdays and at Mountain Christian Church at 6pm on Fridays.)
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GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing): A local support group for those who have lost someone to addiction. Located in Bel Air, MD. *Online meetings are now available. Please contact lisa.craig4@verizon.net for more information.* The private national Facebook group is still available. Please visit here to ask to join.
(Postponed: The group usually meets at 7pm on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at Mt. Zion Church in Bel Air, MD.)
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The Klein Family Harford Crisis Center: A clinic that provides immediate care for mental health and addiction. Located in Bel Air, MD. Please visit here or call 410-874-0711 for information about online and in-person meeting services.
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Loving An Addict: A local support group for family and friends of those in active addiction. *Online meetings are now available. Please contact lisa.craig4@verizon.net for more information.*
(Postponed: The group usually meets every Saturday at 7pm at Mt. Zion Church in Bel Air, MD.)
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Psychology Today: A national online database of mental health related articles and of therapists listed by state. Please visit here to search in your area
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​We serve locally but think globally. For counseling, or for addiction, substance abuse disorder, or mental illness treatment, please contact your area’s health department, county government, hospital, or law enforcement agency.
Rage Against Addiction Programs:
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Daughter's House: A local sober living house designed to assist women who are transitioning from substance abuse treatment. Click here to visit the Facebook page.
HALO (How to Live Without Our Addicted Loved One): An online grief support group. Click here to ask to join the private Facebook page.
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RAA ABC (After Baby Care): A program that provides newborn-care items to mothers in recovery. Please send monetary donations to:
Rage Against Addiction (Rage ABC)
PO Box 1
Forest Hill, MD 21050
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Rage Club: A program offered for children who are touched by substance abuse disorder. Click here to register.
Rage Against Addiction Team:
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Wendy Beck Messner
Founder and Executive Director
Amanda Buddenbohn
Vice President
Tara Kuzma
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Rachel Bongiorno
Recovery Coach and Daughter’s House Program Director
Tara Slaughter
Family and Recovery Resources and Support
Carlie Pennington
Peer Support
Rage Against Addiction
P.O. Box 1
Forest Hill, MD 21050
Wendy@rageagainstaddiction.com
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Get Involved:
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If you are interested in submitting a photo and story of your recovery, or a photo and a story of your lost loved one, please contact Mia Ellis at mcellis213@gmail.com. (Please keep your story between 350 and 450 words. We reserve the right to edit your content for spelling, punctuation, etc.)
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If you would like to donate to any of the Rage Against Addiction programs, including but not limited to the ones above, please visit our Programs page here.