The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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October 11, 2008

Recovering addict says motivation is key to sobriety

By Bev Davis

It took a MOTHER of a program to get Jeri Cozart clean and sober.

After numerous DUIs and a life wrecked by alcohol, Cozart was court-ordered to enter the Maternal Options Toward a Healthy Environment for Recover program, which is operated by FMRS Health Systems.

“I was sick of living the way I had been,” said Cozart, who is now on the other side of the desk as the intake counselor and public inebriate supervisor for Raleigh County. “I was in jail, and Randy Mann, the community outreach director, saw that I wanted to change. He talked with a judge, who ordered me to go into the MOTHER program. Judge John Hutchison literally changed the course of my life when he did that.”

Initially, Cozart was transported by police from jail to Pine Haven Homeless Services, where the MOTHER program is headquartered.

“She came in wearing the orange jump suit and cuffs,” said Linda Lane, activities director for the MOTHER program. “You talk about a change in someone’s life. I’ve watched this woman do a total turnaround. It’s amazing to see the difference in Jeri’s life, and she will be the first to tell you that.”

That was 2001.

After going through the three phases of the six-month program, Cozart had learned strategies for coping with stress, how to be a better parent and how to live without substance abuse.

“I learned a whole new way of living. I had to find new friends, and I had to learn how to take care of myself and delegate responsibilities so I didn’t become overwhelmed and turn back to drinking,” she said.

She chose to remain for the one-on-one counseling and learned to deal with negative emotions such as anger and resentment. After more than a year and a half of receiving services through the program, Cozart was asked by one of her case managers about taking a job as public intoxication monitor. Cozart accepted the job, and two months later moved into the role of a supervisor.

Now, nearing her Nov. 11 anniversary, Cozart can do more than empathize with the clients who come through public inebriate program operated through Raleigh County Community Action.

“Because of all I’ve experienced, I can share my strength and hope with other people,” she said. “I’ve been where they are. I know what it is to want a drink more than anything else in the world. I know what it is to have a life ruined by drinking. But I also know that when a person really wants to change, there are programs that can help them turn their lives completely around.”

Recovery is a process that takes more than will power, Cozart said.

“You have to have a willingness and a desire to change. There’s nothing magic about any program. It will give you the tools you need to succeed, but you have to make those changes and those decisions every day. One by one, they turn your life around,” she said.

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