My name is Mark Burchell. I have been recovered from alcohol and drugs since May 4, 2000.
I lived a nightmare for 20 years of my adult life using drugs. My life took a turn after entering Brighton Hospital for 14 days and then going to a three-quarter house, through which I met my God-sent sponsor — Norm Peters. Through God, Norm and the fellowship of AA/NA, my life started to change.
In 2003, I opened my first recovery home, the “Cooley House”, where ten men could live and share in their recovery. This was the beginning of what is now “The Doorway to Recovery” consisting of thirteen homes (and growing). This was not my chosen path, but God had other plans for me, including the following:
* Ownership and running of thirteen transitional recovery homes throughout Wayne County. The Doorway to Recovery (DTR) provides recovery housing for men and women who are trying to rebuild their lives — one day at a time — after the devastating effects caused by drug and alcohol addiction. The program also offers critical services required to help our residents in rebuilding their lives, such as money management, job search skills, job placement, community service, etc.
* Assisting DTR residents, as well as other individual seeking recovering, by ensuring introduction and ongoing involvement in the recovery community and 12-step/aftercare programs.
* Building strong relationships with many hospitals, rehabilitation centers and addiction specialists to provide assistance in finding additional critical resources for people in recovery. This includes providing input on how to most effectively utilize the many recovery tools available in order to give each alcoholic/addict a better chance at sustaining recovery.
* Interventions and involvement with the extended family and friends of the alcoholic/addict in helping them to reconnect and rebuild relationships.
* Involvement and assistance in placement of dual-diagnosed rehabilitation patients.
* Involvement with the drug/sobriety courts of Southeastern Michigan and attendance at monthly meetings in an advisory capacity to assist the courts in placement of individuals in appropriate programs.
* Lectures on sober living for numerous rehabilitation centers, 12-step/after-care programs and conventions.
* A weekly call-in radio program (WDTK Detroit) discussing the tools of recovery.
* Continuing education, including pursuit of CAC1 certification.
* A 100% commitment to helping my fellow alcoholics and addicts recover.
