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 canceled 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 illnesses and diseases. We are grateful to our supporters and our sponsors. We cannot do this without your generosity.

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 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 *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 parent’s 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.

Written By:

Kameren J. (Philadelphia, PA)

Get Involved:

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 mia@rageagainstaddiction.com (Please keep your story between 350 and 450 words. We reserve the right to edit your content for spelling, punctuation, etc.)

Community Resources

​​Addiction Connections Resource:

A non-profit organization that assists with providing resources and support for addiction treatment and that educates the community about substance abuse disorder. Located in Fallston, MD. Please visit here or call 443-417-7810 for more information.

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.​

Celebrate Recovery:

A local support group for those with addictive behaviors. Located in Bel Air, MD and Joppa, MD. ​

• 5:45 pm every Thursday at Mt. Zion Church – 1643 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015. Contact lheitmuller@zoominternet.net or visit here for more information about meetings.
• Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, MD: Please register here to join. *Please check out the updated information regarding meeting details.*

GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing):

A local support group for those who have lost someone to addiction.

• 7:00 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
• Located in the Education Building at Mt. Zion Church – 1643 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
• Contact lisa.craig4@verizon.net for more information.
• The private national Facebook group is available. Please visit here to ask to join.

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.

Loving An Addict:

A local support group for family and friends of those in active addiction.

• 7:00 pm every Saturday.
• Located in the Education Building at Mt. Zion Church – 1643 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
• Contact lisa.craig4@verizon.net for more information.

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.