Project C.A.R.E. Recovery Spotlight: Neysa and Joey
Recovery Spotlight, a program of Project C.A.R.E., periodically recognizes someone in the community who has achieved active recovery from substance use. Recovery Spotlight is sponsored by the Marina and Great Eastern Radio (WEEI, 93.5).
For our second Recovery Spotlight, we recognize the recovery of two individuals, Neysa and Joey Arsenault. Both Neysa and Joey previously struggled with substance use disorder and experienced incarceration stemming from their addiction. Together, they have achieved a total of 12 years of sobriety from opiates.
For Neysa, her turning point was a spiritual rock bottom. She was “sick and tired of being sick and tired,” and wanted to truly live life again. For Joey, he was in a constant cycle of being incarcerated and then relapsing not long after being released, only to go right back in. He wanted a better a life and knew deep down that it would only be possible with recovery.
Both Joey and Neysa found strength through community and connection. They were both surrounded by support from the Narcotics Anonymous community, family, friends in recovery, and from each other. Some of the challenges they faced in early recovery included setting healthy boundaries with people, places, and things. They struggled to believe in themselves and to feel like they were worthy and capable of the life they both desired.
But through their years in recovery, both have achieved amazing things. Neysa started her own cleaning business, became a certified yoga instructor, and takes pride in being a dependable and trustworthy person for others. Joey is proud of being someone people can trust and rely on, including his children, with whom he has a better relationship than ever before. Joey has also been at the same job for four years, where he’s been promoted several times thanks to his ability to show up and be an asset. He was recently awarded “Role Model of the Year” at work. Neysa and Joey are also proud of the healthy relationships they maintain today, including their own, which includes getting married last summer.
Neysa and Joey want everyone struggling with addiction to know it’s never too late to change your life and to hold onto hope. Recovery is possible for everyone!
Neysa and Joey were awarded a certificate of appreciation by Community Resource Specialist Justin Johnston, Captain Adam Petlock, and Chief Norma Hardy of the Brattleboro Police Department. They also received a gift certificate to the Marina Restaurant, courtesy Peter Case and Great Eastern Radio (WEEI).
Project C.A.R.E. (Community Approach to Recovery and Engagement) is a partnership aimed at reducing the impact opioid use is having on our community. The mission is to help people living with addiction achieve and maintain recovery.
Recovery is a deeply personal and unique journey for each individual. The path to healing and well-being can vary significantly based on a multitude of factors, including personal history, the nature of the condition, support systems, and environmental, among many other factors.