Chapman Recovery
Help with Alcohol and Drugs
Dave Chapman
The peer movement in recovery from addiction, or substance use disorder, evolved from mutual-aid groups such as 12-Step programs. Similar to mutual-aid groups, in peer support, individuals fighting substance use disorder help others in their own fight with substance use disorder. While I am a participant in a 12-Step program, 12-Step programs are really only one path to recovery.
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As a certified addiction recovery coach (CARC), I am a trained peer, a person in recovery, but one who has been trained to help people like myself. I understand the disease of substance use disorder and I live with it every day. I know where you are coming from, and I am prepared to help you find the right path to your recovery.
Why Peers?
There are nearly 23 million people in America who suffer from the disease of addiction, or substance use disorder, and, yes, it is a disease. If you are a person living with addiction, you know how difficult it is to explain to others, even those trying to help, why it is you do what you do. A dear friend of mine compares explaining addiction to people without the disease to "describing the color purple to a blind person. It's impossible!" This is where the peer movement in addiction recovery comes in. Peer support relies upon individuals fighting substance use disorder to help others in their own fights with substance use disorder. ​
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As a peer, I know what addiction feels like, and the damage it can do to your life and the lives of your loved ones, and I can help you navigate it in the best way possible, for you. Just as medications can work differently for different people, there is no one-size-fits-all path to recovery. As a recovery coach, I will work with you to find, within yourself, what your recovery looks like, and the best path to get there.
My Approach
The first thing to note is that I am not a counselor or therapist. I am just like you, a person living with substance use disorder, with one very important difference. I have been taught to help people like us find the best path to recovery, however you define recovery.
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That means defining your goals and values. Who are you? What matters to you? What do you want out of recovery? What do you want out of life? Those questions are inextricably linked!
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Recovery is not just about abstinence from substances. Recovery is a learning experience about yourself, what you want out of life, and how to achieve your best life while living with substance use disorder. Only you know what your best life looks like, but together we can uncover that life and find your path to it.
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There is no straight path to recovery. There are ups and downs and pitfalls along the way. Together we will find your path to a better life, whatever that means to you, and provide you with tools to avoid and/or navigate the pitfalls in your path.
About Me
In my “former life,” I was a successful advertising executive with a potentially terminal case of FOMO. I handled my FOMO in what I thought was the best way possible -- I never missed a party and attended every event possible -- ball games, concerts, etc. A friend of mine, who just happened to own my favorite bar at the time, asked me if I was going to see any of the shows of a particularly popular concert series. I was, and he said, “Of course you are,” then looked at the bartender and said, “Chappy goes to everything.”
My drinking progressed. For quite a while I was OK with being what I considered to be a “functional alcoholic.” Over time, though, I was becoming less and less functional. Eventually, I knew I was doing real damage to myself, and I was no longer the husband, the father to my two young daughters, nor the friend that I wanted to be. Of course, by then, I couldn’t stop.
Predictably, I wound up in treatment. Not long after treatment, I found myself chairing AA meetings for a group of newcomers that I had put together. As the chair, I became kind of the default go-to guy when a member of the group was having trouble. Some other folks that I had known in treatment also reached out for assistance. I’m a pretty easy guy to talk to.
Through running the meetings and helping others outside of the meetings, I realized that I truly enjoyed helping. In fact, I felt that maybe it was something I was really meant to do. With that, I decided to leave my 27-year career in advertising behind to pursue a new path, one in which I feel that I am actually making a difference in the lives of people with substance use disorder and their families.
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In sobriety, I still do all of the things I love to do. I'm a sailor and a skier. I still enjoy concerts and ball games. I have not lost my love of travel. And I've discovered that all of these things are just as much fun without alcohol! In fact, now I can enjoy them so much more because I no longer feel a constant concern about where I'm going to get my next drink.
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-Chappy
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-- Taking A Coach Approach: A Conversation For Change​
Recovery Coach University
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-- Foundations of Harm Reduction
National Harm Reduction Coalition
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-- Overdose Prevention and Response
National Harm Reduction Coalition
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-- Engaging People Who Use Drugs
National Harm Reduction Coalition
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-- Certified Addiction Recovery Coach
The New York Certification Board
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-- Recovery Coach Academy
Center for Addiction Recovery Training
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-- Motivational Interviewing for Recovery Coaches, Counselors, and Clinicians​
Recovery Coach University
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-- Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches
Recovery Coach University
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-- Medication Assisted Treatment for Recovery Coaches and Peer Advocates
Recovery Coach University
Contact Me
I am a real living example that life can get better. Your life can too! I'm here to help, but I can't find you. You need to reach me.
Give me a shout, and let's begin your journey to a better life!
Dave Chapman
Email: dave@chapmanrecovery.com
Cell: 516 218-1661
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Contact me for a complimentary exploratory session. Sessions available via Zoom, FaceTime, phone, or in person
