Treatment center celebrates recovery

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — September is National Recovery Month. Here in Wilmington a treatment center has been recognized for helping many, including our service men and women.

The Wilmington Treatment Center has been labeled as a model for other recovery centers. For those who’ve battled addiction prior to facilities like these being around, it’s a breath of fresh air knowing their fellow servicemen and women now have a greater chance at recovery.

Judd Berryhill was one of the guests of honor at Wednesday’s “Recovery Takes Flight” celebration. But out of all the guests who spoke at the Wilmington Treatment Center, Berryhill is the only one who truly knows what it’s like to deal with an addiction.

“Like they say, the choices are insanity, death or recovery,” Berryhill said. “And thank God I was exposed to recovery in my process.”

Berryhill is an Army vet. Soon after he left the military he turned to alcohol. Berryhill has now recovered from his alcoholism and has even become a certified counselor.

“It gives us a chance to give back,” he said. “The time and effort that was put up to me and the people who believed in me, it’s now my job to give that back.

Berryhill’s story has come full circle. He hopes as more people come forward to get help, the stigma of addiction will fade away. Wednesday’s celebration represented hope for those struggling with recovery, whether they are servicemen and women or civilians.

The Wilmington Treatment Center has assisted more than 2,000 men and women in the military and after their service over the past seven years, as well as their families.