August 13-15, 2024 | Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale | 155 Temple St, New Haven, CT
Mary Beth O'Connor
Director
LifeRing Secular Recovery
Pathway:
LIFERING
Session Title:
Recovering Out Loud
Session Details:
Throughout the recovery process, most make decisions about how open to be about their recovery. Initially, this often involves which friends and family members to tell, but many of us expand the list later in our recovery or at least consider whether to do so. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of factors to consider when making decisions about sharing their recovery story and increase their confidence in being able to do so. Mary Beth will review her evolution from selected sharing to writing and speaking about her story publicly. We will discuss different audiences, the pros and cons of sharing your story, different venues, useful techniques, and self-care during the process.
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Mary Beth has been sober from methamphetamine and other substances since 1994. She also is in recovery from abuse and trauma. The details of her story can be found in her award-winning memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.
Mary Beth is a Director for LifeRing Secular Recovery, a Director and Secretary for the She Recovers Foundation, and on the Advisory Council for the Hyer Calling Foundation.
Mary Beth regularly speaks about her personal story, on behalf of LifeRing and She Recovers, about multiple paths to recovery, and shares her expertise on other substance use and recovery topics. She's appeared on podcasts, radio, and television. She has presented keynotes and workshops at a variety of conferences and events. She also trains attorneys, judges, peer support specialists, and others on substance use and related topics.
Mary Beth writes opinion pieces that have been published in The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Recovery Today, among other places. She's also had numerous memoirs published.
Professionally, 6 years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm in Silicon Valley and then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, Mary Beth was appointed as an administrative law judge. She retired early in 2020 and now devotes her time to writing and recovery advocacy.
Mary Beth can be reached at marybeth@junkietojudge.com. Her website is junkietojudge.com. Her memoir is available on Amazon and all the usual sites.