I sit down for a chat today with my friend and fellow advocate, Tom Cotter. We discuss his later in life diagnosis of ADHD (at the age of 60) and the unknowing impact that had on his alcohol consumption. We also talk more about how much untreated and unmonitored mental or behavioral health issues can impact someone despite abstaining from substances. We also discovered that we are apparently the same person. Haha. Hope you enjoy this episode.
For more info on me, check out my linktree: https://linktr.ee/staygoldenjaclyn
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Tom Cotter is a person in long term recovery who spent way too much time overthinking this bio...
Tom was born and raised in Pittsburgh and is a proud graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He still bleeds Black and Gold, despite relocating to Bethlehem, PA over 30 years ago. Tom retired after a 40 year career in the food industry (hint....your
favorite cookie). Tom’s recovery journey began in earnest over 7 years ago after making a complete fool of himself in front of his friends, co-
workers, and family. He quit drinking that next day....BUT that wasn’t the answer; something was still not right.
It wasn’t until Tom let loose of the shame that was eating at him that things got
better. A late life diagnosis of Adult ADHD started to connect the dots. Two plus years of intensive therapy and SMART recovery meetings have helped Tom accept his true self and others AND let him to realize that being that authentic true self is GOOD
ENOUGH. Tom has found his passion in Recovery Advocacy. He is a SMART Recovery Facilitator, a member of the Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Network (PAHRN), a board member of the Oasis Community Center, and an active participant in Mobilize
Recovery.
Tom is happily married for 45+ years to his beloved wife, Candy,who has stood by him as they walked though the fire. He has a wonderful family that includes 3 crazy awesome grandkids who are the light of his life. He has embraced the Recovery
community and found his place among the peers he considers brothers and sisters in arms. He continues to look for ways to help “just one person.”
Links:
pahrn.org
oasisbethlehem.org
mobilizerecovery.org
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