Two decades of recovery, and aiding recovery Program director’s personal evolution Jackie Eaton, program director at Gateway to Sobriety, brings a wealth of experience to the position: 21 years as an addiction treatment professional, and –perhaps more important – 27 years of solid recovery. Eaton’s battle with substance abuse came to an end in 1991, due to an “intervention” by the state of Texas: he was arrested for possession and delivery of cocaine, and served seven years in prison. In retrospect, he considers his arrest a life- saving event. “Absolutely. I was locked up when I was out there using drugs, but I got set free when I went to prison. Without it I wouldn’t be the man I am today.” Eaton had made two unsuccessful attempts at treatment in the years before his arrest. “It was just something I did to get people off my back,” he recalls. But the third time, it worked. “I had gotten really tired; I had run out of people to con and places to go. I realized I didn’t want to live that life anymore.” He also felt bad about leaving his son and two daughters ”out there,” while he went to prison.
A new lease on life Eaton started taking classes in substance abuse while in prison. After he finished, he spent nine months in treatment under a Texas Department of Corrections program. One of the most important things he learned in treatment was “that I am not a bad human being; I was sick. Today, I am an asset to my family, the community and others who are struggling with drugs and alcohol. This is not work for me; it’s a ministry.” Post-incarceration, Eaton took community college classes in counseling and related subjects. He was hired as a house manager and then director of a respite center for people with tuberculosis and HIV. He also completed a counseling internship, and became fully licensed as an addiction counselor. After spending several years working as a counselor in outpatient and residential settings, and coordinating outreach for a mental health clinic, he joined Gateway in 2018, as lead counselor. Coaching r Getting He also functions as a recovery coach, which involves “finding out what their immediate needs are and what I can do for them at that moment. Even if they are not ready (for recovery), no matter what stage of change the clients are in, you can still work with them.” Eaton appreciates the approach to treatment and the overall environment at Gateway to Sobriety. “(Gateway Founder Abraham Nabil) is ‘the bomb.’ He really wants to help people, and we have created a family atmosphere here.” Looking ahead, Eaton plans to work with Nabil to open a sober living facility for people trying to recover from opiate addiction, especially those who are on
Some of the wisdom he conveys to counselors in training: “The first thing is, don’t judge people. You can’t give them advice on what they ought to do or need to do; you need to meet people ‘where they are at.’ We must educate, encourage and empower those who suffer that they can change, that they have the ability within themselves to change, if they put in a little work and have the desire to stay sober, and trust God and the process.” As counselors, “we have to be genuine and congruent, talk to the clients in their language and meet them where they are.” Eaton believes his own experience in addiction and recovery has helped him become a more effective counselor. “In my case, if I had not gone through it, I wouldn’t have the understanding and empathy I am able to have. One thing I found out is that there are many paths to recovery.” Above all, “recovery works.” medication assisted treatment (MAT). Most sober living houses have an “old school” attitude and will not accept recovering people who are on methadone, he notes. “People in MAT need a safe place to recover.” “We must educate, encourage and empower those who suffer that they can change, that they have the ability within themselves to change ”
-- Jackie Eaton, program director, Gateway to Sobriety
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