I had been caring for my terminally ill mother for several years. I had been recently diagnosed with two herniated disks in my back and

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1 The Gratitude Edition Summer 2013 THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE Board of Directors Richard Andre, Chairman Gordon Bailey Bill Barnes Lew Belote Tom Fariss, MD Thomas Fowler, Jr. Jim Graham Russell Huber Jule Lassiter Doug Liptak Bill Porter David Seem Tom Sharp Ken Sternad Ken Thompson Rob Vinson Whit Walter Lifetime Trustees Donnie Brown, Founder Tim L. Melton, D. Min. James Grosklaus Ex Officio Guerry Dyes, CEO Event Sponsor Celebration or Recovery Banquet Saturday November 16, 2013 Cobb Galleria Cultivating an attitude of gratitude has been linked to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and less depression, and kinder behavior toward others. Simply put, gratitude is love. On a deeper level it is a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for the friends, family and blessings in our life. Grateful people are generally more optimistic and happier. Few things are as important in recovery as developing a sincere sense of gratitude. Take a moment and consider your life in recovery as it is today. Did you achieve this success completely on your own? Most of us feel hopeless when we think about what it will take to achieve sobriety. Our successes always come with help. You have not traveled this journey alone. An Opportunity For Hope Everyone fears the dreaded phone call in the middle of the night. Well, mine came. What I thought was the worst night of my life, became an opportunity for hope. I had been caring for my terminally ill mother for several years. I had been recently diagnosed with two herniated disks in my back and was on medical leave from work. I was awaiting a hospital procedure and my mother s condition was worsening. Then came the call. The call that our 27 year old daughter was in jail. Our precious daughter Ashley, who struggled with addiction as a teen, who graduated MARR years before and who was now working as a physicians assistant in the Atlanta area, who had the world by the tail was relapsing. So were we. I had not called or seen anyone at MARR for over two years nor had I gone to any Al-Anon meetings. Only our best friends and a few family members knew of our struggles. We were all silently suffering. The day my husband and I returned home from court, we had a message on the answering machine. Gigi Barnes called to just check in on you guys. We had not talked to anyone at MARR for almost two years! This message would turn out to be the start of getting Ashley from jail to MARR. Ashley entered MARR October 29, I am so thankful for all the support and love we feel at MARR. The family seminar experience has been so important to my healing process. Ashley is working on her recovery and so am I, as is the entire family. The enabler in me has a long road ahead but I am willing to walk it. We all have tough times, difficult circumstances and sad moments in our lives. These things are simply part of life s journey. Thank you MARR for all that you have done to help me and my family through this experience. I spent many sleepless nights worrying and praying. I always prayed for Ashley s soul, safety and sobriety. I called it her three S s. With the cooperation of the court system, Ashley was allowed to go to rehab. We knew that MARR was where she needed to be but we didn t call MARR due to financial issues and embarrassment. We were considering a local rehab but had not made a decision. We wanted to do what was best for Ashley. I kept praying for a sign. Debbie W. and Ashley W.

2 18th Annual Golf Tournament Honoring the Life of Bill Straub NEW MARR STAFF As MARR continues to grow, we congratulate and welcome these new talented additions to our staff, helping us maintain our high standards of addiction treatment. Welcome to our team! After a two-week rain delay, the 2013 MARR golf tournament was a great sucess. Originally scheduled for May 20, June 3 saw 103 golfers come together to celebrate MARR and to honor the life of Bill Straub. After nearly two years, Bill lost his battle with cancer in February. Bill was proud of his six years of service to MARR as a member of the Board of Directors and honored to serve as Chairman for two of those years. As Honorary Chair of this year s tournament, Bill s wife Betty Ann would like to thank everyone for their kindness and compassion but most of all for their support of this year s tournament, raising $40,000 for MARR s Family Recovery Center (FRC). Bill was an avid golfer and enthusiastic FRC advocate. I can think of no better way to honor him than by bringing these two together in celebration. Thank you! Double Eagle Sponsor $5,000 Fairway Sponsors $350 Acadia Healthcare From left, Travis Ramsey, Family Therapist, MRC Brad Charnetski, IT Help Desk Technician Amanda Jones, Outreach Coordinator Emily Giattina, Counselor, WRC Lawrenceville Travis Chafin, Resident Manager, TRC Morrow Aire Force Services Eagle Sponsors $3,000 Foundations Recovery Network Healthcare Connection Tampa Anonymous Heavenly Pest Services Peachford Behavorial Health Birdie Sponsors $1,500 Moore Stephens Tiller Bernice and Ed O Brien Andre Blaustein Kill & McCarthy Bill Porter AON/Mike Long Ridgeview Institute Gordon Bailey Kavanaugh Tucker Thomas Fowler Scott Wells Charlie Henn Beth Williams Kroger Volunteers and Staff Rett & Walt Mercer Brenda Bray Omnience Alison Broderick Realty Research Stacee Flanagan Sharp Residential Julie Hansen Toyotechs Christine Hoefling Leaderboard $800 Dr. Michael Vaughn Amanda Jones Lisa Scott Shelley Taylor ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNUAL FISH FRY Takara McGee, Therapeutic Childcare, RSU Toni Garcia, Primary Counselor, RSU Not Pictured Residential Assistants RSU: Denyshia McCloskey. Sylvia Okosi, Geraldine Perry For further details contact David Soncrant Doug Brush SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 CAMP BROWN 4:00 7:00 PM 6:00 PM AA MEETING

3 Nearly four years ago I arrived at MARR s WRC for the second time. I had given my best efforts to manage and control my drug addiction and was completely defeated once again. I had absolutely no idea what was ahead of me, but was pretty willing to do what I had to in order to not return to the kind of life I had been living. I spent the next 16 months at MARR where I received the love, support, and guidance that I desperately needed. My life today is completely different than I ever could have imagined. I have currently committed to taking a big book study to the women at WRC to hopefully transmit the message of recovery which I was given through working the steps in AA. It is such an honor to be able to work with other women whom I can relate to on such a profound level; women bound by addiction as I once was. These are all things I would never have been capable of experiencing in the life I was living just four years ago. I am immensely grateful for MARR and their support of my journey to recovery and a relationship with God. Thank you all! Timbre R WRC Alumnus GRATITUDE My name is Tom and I am a grateful alcoholic. When I was asked to give my thoughts on gratitude, my response was this will be an easy assignment for me. I entered the program February 8, 1968 when I received my first and only white chip signifying my acceptance to a new way of life. After living in the cave of doubt, fear and isolation, prior to acceptance, I have been blessed with more joy and excitement than any human can experience. I will never forget the signs that would be posted in most meeting places: "Live and let live" "Keep it simple" "Let go and Let God" but the one I remember most is "Have an attitude of gratitude". I am so grateful for how my life has turned around. I am grateful for my family, my friends and people in and out of this great program of recovery. When I share at meetings I always say, "My name is Tom and I am a grateful alcoholic.". I have had many people come to me after the meeting and ask me how I can be grateful for this disease of alcoholism. I share with them that not to have had this disease I would never have known the life I have today. I truly believe that I had to go through all of that misery and all of that challenge to enter in this new life. The day I picked up that white chip, the old Tom died and a new Tom was born. If I had my life to live over again, I would not change a thing with a caveat that I could enter this program of recovery. You see, I have been able to live two lives in this lifetime. Very few of us get that chance and we do it with a new feeling and a new meaning we would not have ever known if not for this program of recovery. For that, I am grateful. My name is Tom and I am a grateful alcoholic. Gratitude... oh my, now I have that word in my heart, not just in my vocabulary. I have found that by maintaining an attitude of gratitude it not only keeps me in the present, but keeps me in tune with God and His world. How can I not be grateful, as someone that until 2005 lived in a world of darkness only to be delivered to live in the world of Light? To go from a life of misery and despair to one of purpose and passion has my gratitude bursting at the seams. Early in sobriety I had to work to find things to be grateful for, but as I continued to grow spiritually and become part of God s world, it has become a common thread in my daily life. The awakening that has taken place has me aware of everything that surrounds me. I no longer view the world in a dismal gray tone but in beautiful, vibrant colors. Today, my list scrolls continuously in my heart and mind throughout the day, for I m seeing everything through a new pair of glasses. The beginning of my gratitude list always begins with my loving family that got me to MARR, who in turn got me to AA, and most importantly, to a personal God of my understanding. I no longer just BELIEVE in miracles, I've come to EXPECT them. No longer am I aimlessly going through life, but now I have been blessed with an opportunity to spread this new way of living as an occupation in a setting I couldn t even dream about, although I m now able to dream and dream BIG. I could go on for days on gratitude. Thank you God and thank you MARR; you are both AWESOME. Grateful and living the dream! Tharin S MRC Alumnus

4 Ten Things Your IT Department Won't Tell You Presented by the New MARR IT Team MARR INTERNET TECHNOLOGY TEAM Chris Willingham, Network Administrator John Monsalve, Database Tech Brad Charnetski, Help Desk Tech Kudos to the new Final Three IT Gentlemen!! You all have stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park!!! Chris, John, and Brad thanks for your determination in fixing and resolving our daily problematic issues. We truly appreciate all that you do. Outstanding work, guys! Lynetta Gasaway, Billing Administrator John has been extremely helpful to me personally taking the time to help me with my computer issues. He also expressed an interest into what is going on at MARR from a patient and clinical point of view. He is an asset to MARR and is helping us attain our goals. Brad just happened to be the unlucky I.T. guy I caught by phone when I was working from home and needed help being connected to the server. He helped me for over 30 minutes and was very patient with the process. Thanks to both of these gentlemen. Rick McKain, MRC Professionals Liasion 1. Chris Willingham cycles on his bike an average of 50 miles a week. 2. John Monsalve enjoys visiting the shooting range on weekends for target practice. 3. Brad Charnetski got his love of cooking from his Mother. 4. Chris renovated a 1920 s Craftsman bungalow in Grant Park where he now lives with his 8 year-old Great Dane. 5. John is a health nut and a workout-aholic. 6. Brad is a journeyman in the non-profit arena, coming to us from Project Open Hand. 7. Chris is a member of a 4-man band, Stations Receiving. He plays guitar, keyboards and has tried his hand at composing. 8. John was a professional gamer for four years and was sponsored by GameStop. He traveled to California for competitions and came out the winner a few times. 9. Brad s newest interest is in music, playing keyboards and writing electronic music. 10. Chris, John and Brad all came to MARR as a result of a craigslist search!!! Appropriate! John and Chris have been a wonderful addition to the Administrative Team. They have been both super friendly and ever so helpful. Their hands on approach to handling IT issues is refreshing. I look forward to getting to know Brad better. What a great IT group!! Bill Anderson, Business Development Director Chris, John and Brad are awesome!! No matter what the accounting department issues may be, they are immediately on it. Either fixing it, replacing it or showing us how to do it correctly. All three men are great to work with, have can-do attitudes and stop at nothing to make things right! We are really blessed to have them as our I.T. Team! Thanks guys! Shelley Taylor, MARR Controller

5 2013 MARR ANNUAL PICNIC A great time was had by all with some 350+ in attendance. Over 400 years of collective sobriety was recognized at the AA meeting. Thanks to all who made this event a memorable day for everyone! Alumni Service Work, Donations Needed Bill W. is to Dr. Bob what recovery is to service work. You can t have one without the other. MARR is grateful for our active alumni because you are the gift that keeps on giving. From helping those in early recovery to keeping the spirit of MARR alive, your participation is always needed and appreciated. Support MARR s Alumni Association At the beginning of this year, we mailed out alumni dues letters to our alumni as a reminder about membership renewal. At just $25 a year, you not only belong to an association made up of men and women who are passionate about recovery, but you help carry the message to our newer clients as well. Truly, your contribution goes a long way. If you haven t submitted your dues for 2013, it s not too late. MARR s Alumni Association puts together several events throughout the year, including the Alumni Fish Fry and Thanksgiving and Christmas dinthis year, we ve already enjoyed two of our Four Nights of ners, and helps fund various incidentals, such as dinners for homeimpact at The Extension a homeless shelter in Marietta, less shelters and Big Books for clients. Georgia for chemically dependent men and women. Every quarter, our alumni prepare and serve dinner for the residents at the shelter, not only to offer them a warm meal, but to share their own experience, strength and hope. Please join us at the next Four Nights of Impact event on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 6 p.m. There is a Big Book study following dinner for those who are interested. Of course, sometimes busy schedules hinder us from offering our time to help those in early recovery. If you would like to participate in Four Nights of Impact but cannot attend the events, we accept donations. Check the Alumni section of our website ( for more information. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. -Big Book, p. 17 We appreciate your $25 (or more) contribution to be a part of something much more than a social group our alumni impact the lives of those struggling with addiction. If you are not an alumnus of MARR but would still like to join the Alumni Association, you can become an Associate Member for just $20. With the exception of serving as an Officer, Associates can enjoy all that our Alumni Association has to offer. Please make checks payable to MARR Alumni Associati and mail to: MARR Attn: Alumni Association 2815 Clearview Place Thank you for your continued support!

6 RSU Camp Cozy Fun Camp Donnie Brown on Lake Allatoona Thanks to the generosity of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Right Side Up (RSU) was once again able to offer Camp Cozy Fun to the children in the program. Sixteen children spent the week at Camp Donnie Brown; swimming, boating, hiking and enjoying Mother Nature. The group even weathered a storm that left them without power and running water for more than a day. The children didn t seem to mind, they just took their activities outside in the daylight. The children ended their camp adventure with a fabulous talent show for a crowd of spectators, including their mothers, siblings and RSU staff. Lasting memories were made for the children during this week. We are truly grateful to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners for helping bring back Camp Cozy Fun. Leaving A Legacy Gift Leaving a gift in your will to MARR is one way you can make a difference in the future of MARR and create a lasting legacy in the lives of individuals and families devastated by the disease of addiction. Please consider MARR as a beneficiary when finalizing your estate plans. If you are interested in learning more about leaving MARR in your will, please contact Lisa Scott at Men s Recovery Center Gets a Makeover Since 1975, MARR has provided long-term drug and alcohol treatment to chemically dependent men and women. We have bore witness to thousands of changed lives, restored relationships and community members willing to lend a hand to those in need. For these 35-plus years, MARR has offered high-quality treatment that brings about lasting recovery. Today, we continue to set the standard in intensive, gender-specific programs and the therapeutic community model. Bennett Thrasher Foundation Supports Right Side Up MARR is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the Bennett Thrasher Foundation. These funds will be used to support Therapeutic Child Care of the Right Side Up program. Therapeutic Child Care (TCC) works with the innocent victims of the disease of addiction, the children. TCC provides a healing environment for the children and assists the mothers in resolving behavioral and academic issues, all moving toward a healthy family unit. More than sixty children are touched by TCC each year, from birth to thirteen years of age. Bennett Thrasher is an Atlanta-based full-service certified public accounting and consulting firms. The Bennett Thrasher Foundation was established in 2003 and is directed by an all-associate board. In giving back to the community, they devote considerable time and resources to charitable organizations fostering the longterm development and success of individuals in the Atlanta community. BT Foundation s gift will provide educational and arts & craft materials for the children, baby equipment, family outings, and a new flat screen, interactive television. We are truly grateful for the Foundation s generosity. But just as we maintain excellence in the treatment we offer, our facilities should look the part as well. Clients of MARR experience lifechanging transformations we want our surroundings to undergo the same. We are pleased to unveil the new and improved Men s Recovery Center (MRC). Interior Designer Kelli Andrews of KAID Studio in Atlanta has not only given MRC a much-needed update, but has upheld the history of MARR and provided a comfortable and safe place for clients and their families as well. Stop by anytime and take a look at MRC s renovations. Now the facility serves as a beautiful complement to the quality treatment Bennett Thrasher Foundation Treasurer, Faye Anderson (center) pictured with Alisa Sawyer and Tanya Avery, TCC Program Coordinators for Right Side Up

7 John S. GA 7/15/78 Deborah E. OH 6/16/82 Ron F. TN 8/22/85 Dave D. GA 6/14/86 Jeff D. TX 8/23/87 Everett M. AL 7/1988 George M. GA 8/8/88 Paul B. IA 8/15/88 Mary Deane D. GA 7/1/90 Willis H. GA 8/30/90 Kathy M. GA 7/11/91 Claire P. AL 8/19/91 Lynda M. GA 6/24/92 Roman D. GA 7/6/92 Doug M. VA 7/1993 Gary L. VA 8/25/95 Bill S. KY 8/30/95 Bil P. KY 6/1996 Edward A. GA 6/24/97 James V. GA 7/16/97 Sue D. GA 7/18/97 Mike M. GA 8/2/97 Tommy M. GA 8/22/97 Matt E. GA 6/19/98 Anna K. GA 7/7/98 Lucy D. MS 7/13/98 Glenn L. GA 8/26/98 Patrick G. MI 8/8/99 Jared F. FL 8/28/00 Mike R. GA 6/20/01 Jim J. KY 8/15/01 Tom B. GA 6/2/02 Corky D. KY 6/17/02 Hank D. GA 7/8/02 Mike B. PA 8/1/02 Becka R. GA 8/3/02 Jennifer B. GA 8/7/02 Carole D. GA 8/14/02 Roger W. NC 8/26/02 Scott S. GA 8/28/02 Edward O. PA 6/2/03 Joe R. GA 7/3/03 Eddie B. PA 7/14/03 Gregg N. GA 7/15/03 David P. FL 8/12/03 Whit W. GA 8/17/03 Lori J. GA 8/28/03 Mark S. SC 6/1/04 Marty L. AR 6/2/04 Tiffani K. GA 6/14/04 Brian R. GA 7/4/04 Asa D. GA 7/12/04 Bruce F. GA 7/20/04 Scott S. GA 7/20/04 Robert H. NC 7/25/04 Monte M. NC 8/6/04 Jim M. KY 8/8/04 Bob B. GA 8/14/04 Caset C. GA 8/26/04 Sean M. KY 6/1/05 Jamie J. NJ 6/4/05 Dan M. KY 6/5/05 Connie M. GA 6/6/05 Debra D. NC 6/10/05 Lorrie M. AL 6/13/05 Anna T. GA 6/23/05 Jason L. GA 7/4/05 Jim S. GA 7/13/05 Jeff C. GA 7/14/05 Bill P. KY 7/24/05 Josh K. FL 7/28/05 Bill M. GA 8/1/05 Melvin M. GA 8/1/05 Trey M. GA 8/3/05 Kelly W. GA 8/11/05 Brent M. KY 8/17/05 Mark R. GA 8/25/05 Jonathan H. GA 6/6/06 Lindsey E. KY 6/8/06 Matthew L. NY 6/9/06 David B. VA 6/10/06 Morgan M. OH 6/19/06 JC B. GA 6/22/06 Paul P. TN 6/23/06 Scott B. GA 7/6/06 Carrie D. GA 7/23/06 Hugh W. GA 7/27/06 Jim S. GA 8/2/06 Dave B. GA 8/6/06 Michaele P. GA 8/24/06 Marc B. TN 6/5/07 Joy C. SC 6/8/07 Mike A. GA 6/15/07 Will B. KY 6/15/07 Lindsey B. GA 6/29/07 Charles R. GA 7/4/07 Blake B. GA 7/18/07 Jason C. GA 8/29/07 Radha G. VA 7/31/07 Greg W. GA 8/19/07 Crystal H. GA 8/24/07 Patton M. FL 8/26/07 Beckie B. GA 6/2/08 Andrew A. GA 6/23/08 Preston W. GA 6/23/08 Elizabeth C. GA 6/25/08 Jennifer G. WV 6/26/08 John M. GA 7/4/08 Christina N. GA 7/4/08 Betsy B. GA 7/8/08 Ben B. GA 7/17/08 Whitney C. GA 7/19/08 Nisha P. GA 7/27/08 Lisa C. FL 7/29/08 Caitlin S. GA 8/6/08 Rebecca M. GA 8/7/08 Jerome D. CO 8/12/08 Dan S. NJ 8/20/08 Linda S. VA 8/23/08 Kirsty M. GA 8/24/08 Hank D. GA 8/31/08 Jake E. KY 6/3/09 Alan W. GA 6/3/09 John B. KY 6/9/09 Rick M. NC 6/11/09 Mark B. GA 6/15/09 Charles B. CA 6/16/09 Taylor T. KY 6/20/09 Charlyne D. NC 6/29/09 Michele I. KY 6/30/09 Brian B. GA 7/7/09 Brian S. KY 7/9/09 Whitney M. SC 7/13/09 Jimmy S. GA 7/20/09 Mary W. SC 7/21/09 Katherine Timbre R. GA 7/27/09 Trae H. KY 7/29/09 Pat S. KY 8/4/09 Don A. VA 8/5/09 Brian P. GA 8/11/09 James B. GA 8/21/09 Taylor N. GA 8/21/09 Jim W. NC 6/6/10 Doug R. GA 6/9/10 Jason B. GA 6/17/10 Ron S. GA 6/25/10 Paige D. GA 7/2/10 Bill C. GA 7/4/10 Mark B. KY 7/13/10 JJ J. KY 7/21/10 Mikell H. SC 7/30/10 Jordan D. GA 8/6/10 Mike C. KY 8/17/10 Brent G. GA 8/20/10 Andy R. GA 8/22/10 Brandon R. GA 8/22/10 Ken E. GA 8/25/10 Christy I. GA 8/28/10 John P. AL 6/3/11 Kyle K. GA 6/10/11 Davida S. GA 6/15/11 David S. KY 6/26/11 Rebecca D. GA 7/13/11 Chris M. FL 8/18/11 Darrell H. GA 8/21/11 Mark F. SC 8/22/11 Joel L. AL 6/6/12 Josh G. GA 6/10/12 Mark T. GA 6/11/12 Lia F. FL 6/19/12 Jacqui B. KY 6/25/12 George H. GA 6/26/12 Lou D. GA 6/28/12 Russell L. GA 7/1/12 Kendal W. MS 7/2/12 Tom O. AL 7/8/12 Donna K. KY 7/16/12 Shashank P. GA 7/24/12 Mark S. FL 7/29/12 Sandy S. GA 8/6/12 Willy S. GA 8/6/12 Anthony R. AL 8/8/12 Travis A. GA 8/12/12 Frank O. GA 8/12/12 Vickie P. GA 8/12/12 Chris W. GA 8/13/12

8 The voice of MARR for alumni, patrons and the recovery community Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences, Inc Clearview Place, Suite 100 Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Atlanta, GA Permit No Celebration of Recovery Saturday, November 16, 2013 Annual Alumni Breakfast The Men s Recovery Center 8:30 a.m. Fellowship and Breakfast 10:00 a.m. Open AA Meeting Anniversary Banquet Cobb Galleria Centre 5:30 Fellowship/Silent Auction 7:00 Dinner Keynote Speaker Toby G. Recovery Circuit Speaker Embracing the Sunlight of the Spirit Men s Recovery Center (MRC) 2801 Clearview Place TRADITIONS 7264 Southlake Pkwy Morrow GA MARR Administration 2815 Clearview Place Women s Recovery Center (WRC) 275 West Pike Lawrenceville, GA Right Side Up (RSU) 2815 Clearview Place How to contact any of the above MARR locations Main Line Toll Free visit our website