Redefining Recovery One Day at a Time takes a holistic approach to overcome addiction
Recovery can be a tricky word. For some it’s shorthand for overcoming chemical dependence, while others distinguish it from words like “abstinence” or “sobriety.”The word represents what an individual does with a new life — how one uses past experiences to overcome hardship and thrive spiritually. One Day at a Time (ODAAT) recognizes that this distinction applies to populations beyond addicts and alcoholics, and aims to serve anyone in need of a fresh start. “When we say ‘recovery,’ we’re not just talking about drugs and alcohol,” says President Mel Wells. “We mean any challenges in life.”The support for addiction recovery is there, Wells says, but it represents just one of ODAAT’s holistic services; they also address homelessness, HIV/ AIDS, poverty, and violence and gang prevention, to name a few. Historically speaking, ODAAT’s primary services give shelter and supportive housing to those in need.They have 60 beds for recovering addicts and alcoholics, a men’s and women’s house, each holding 14 residents, and a 38-bed homeless shelter known as Safe Haven.The men’s and women’s homes work with clients to afford them low-cost, supportive housing; Safe Haven and the drug and alcohol facilities are state- and city- funded, and do not charge rent.
“When we say ‘recovery,’ we’re not just talking about drugs and alcohol. We mean any challenges in life.” - Mel Wells president of One Day at a Time (ODAAT) 46
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