THOMASVILLE- Georgia Pines’ Wecovery Peer Support Center, in collaboration with the Georgia Council for Recovery and the DBHDD, hosted its second annual Shine On event on Friday, shining a light on both National Recovery Month and the many individuals who have overcome addiction through the help of Georgia Pines.
According to Wecovery’s Program Manager, J. Dan Bailey, approximately 250 individuals turned out for the event, along with multiple other treatment facilities providing literature and helping those on the road to long-term recovery.
“Today’s event is all about recovery and shining a light on the different recovery pathways available in our region,” Bailey said.
Some of the numerous organizations in attendance included Heritage House, Touchstone, New Beginnings, American Works, Data Reporting Center and recovery fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Al-Anon for families who struggle with addiction.
Additionally, Shine On featured speakers, who spotlighted their own path to recovery through these organizations.
“All of the people who are sharing today are pulling from the many, varied pathways to recovery that are available,” Bailey said. “Everyone is sharing from their own lived experience and how they escaped addiction and lead the life they lead today.”
Bailey said he, along with the other speakers enjoys “recovering out loud” and sharing their story to help others.
Bailey’s friend was one of the many who shared their experience.
Dayton Jones Is one of eight children from Camilla, Ga.
Growing up, he was straight-laced, as his father was a POW in Germany and fought in WWII.
“I was born when he was in his 50’s,” he said. “What that meant was, I grew up with an older gentleman who was pretty tough and you didn’t mess with this man. I didn’t know until I got sober years later that I had lived in fear of him all my life, but he was a good man.”
Jones said he quickly learned if he did what he was told and kept his mouth shut, he wouldn’t get in trouble. But life changed when Jones was only 14.
“At 14 years old, he died right in front of me,” he said. “What that meant was the man I was scared of wasn’t here anymore and I could go do exactly what I wanted to do, as long as I kept my shirttail tucked in and kept my hair cut.”
After his father’s passing, Jones said he began to lead a double life, as he didn’t want to hurt his mother. He would attend church but smoked “dope” and drank on the side.
“To be honest with you, I enjoyed living both lives,” he said.
Nearly 20 years later, Jones continued to live that double life.
At 39 years old, Jones had five children and a wife who was a homemaker.
“I was living the same life I lived at 13 years old,” he recalled. “We would go to church on Sundays, but on the other side was a Bourbon-drinking, drug-doing guy and I tried to keep both lives going.”
However, one summer night Jones woke up in the parking lot with his car still running. He had blacked out for several hours and realized alcohol had taken over his life.
He said he went to visit a friend the following day.
“He was the only guy I knew who wasn’t drinking and drugging anymore,” Jones recalled. “He was the first guy I smoked dope with at 12, but I knew he didn’t do that anymore.”
When visiting his friend, Jones said he had never heard of AA or any other type of program that helped people. His friend pulled out the AA 12-step book and provided Jones with it, encouraging him not to drink for a few days.
“I just couldn’t get what the book was saying, because I was not ready to hear it,” Jones said. “About three days later, my hangover passed and I got thirsty. I manned up, took his book back, and said I thought I would be alright.”
Three months later, Jones said he woke up in a fog with bloodied knuckles and his wife crying at the foot of the bed.
Jones said he couldn’t remember the past 24 hours, but it slowly replayed in his mind that he was drinking and began acting irate. His children, fearing for their life, locked themselves in a bedroom, while his wife called the police.
His wife informed Jones she and the children were leaving. Jones said he couldn’t make her any promises but wanted to try the 12-step program his friend recommended one more time.
Jones said the call was one he would never forget, as his friend asked him if he was ready to make some changes.
Jones teared up as he recalled his friend driving him to a Tallahassee coffee shop, meeting with a few other men before he entered his first AA meeting.
“I walked into the room of Alcoholics Anonymous for the first time 19 years ago and I don’t know what happened, but on that day I took a white chip and committed my life and since that very first day 19 years ago, I have not had a sip of alcohol,” he said.
Jones was met with cheers and applause.
Through the help of AA and God, Jones said for the first time in his life he surrendered to the power alcohol had over him.
“I turned the management of my life over to God and I said you take it from here,” Jones said through tears. “Everything in my life was a lie, but it’s not a lie today. I’m telling you if you’re struggling here today, just try not to drink and drug today.”
Following a standing ovation, Bailey thanked Jones for his testimony and encouraged others to seek help from one of the many ministries available, including Life Under the Son, which offers Christian counseling and resources for family members and was passing out Bibles at the event.