SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery
Learning How to Do Life
Learning How to Do Life
Learning How to Do Life
Wednesday 14th July 2021
Chuck Novak's journey from prison to purpose highlights the transformative power of SMART Recovery's tools and community support.
39 minutes
Inspiring
Empowering
Informative
Hopeful
Supportive
About this podcast
Author:
SMART Recovery
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Family Recovery from Addiction
Body & Mind
Financial Health in Recovery
Links:
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Episodes:
79 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Chuck Novak: From Prison to Purpose with SMART Recovery
This is like they need to learn how to do life.
Chuck Novak's journey is a testament to the power of change and resilience. After battling substance use and spending five years in prison, Chuck decided it was time to turn his life around. While incarcerated, he didn't just bide his time; he earned a paralegal certificate and embarked on a path to recovery. Today, he's a Master Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and a SMART Recovery Regional Coordinator in New Hampshire.
In this engaging episode, Chuck opens up about his personal struggles with addiction and the challenges of re-entering society after prison. He discusses how even simple decisions felt monumental after his release and how he learned to navigate this new chapter of his life. Chuck emphasizes the importance of changing the vocabulary around returning citizens, promoting a more positive and supportive approach. Listeners will find Chuck's insights into SMART Recovery particularly enlightening.
He explains how the program's tools, like the Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), played a crucial role in helping him make better decisions and achieve a more balanced life. Chuck also shares how he became interested in counseling and the evolving role of regional coordinators in supporting recovery communities. One of the standout moments in this episode is Chuck's discussion on 'Operation Bed Bug', a unique initiative within the SMART Recovery framework.
He also touches on the InsideOut Correctional Program and its alignment with Federal Bureau of Prisons programming, highlighting the broader impact of SMART Recovery's methods. Chuck's story is not just about overcoming addiction; it's about finding purpose and helping others do the same. Whether you're on your own recovery journey or supporting someone who is, Chuck's experiences offer valuable lessons in resilience, community support, and the transformative power of SMART Recovery.