Drug-related deaths continue to make headlines each day in the largest of urban areas and are having an even greater impact on small, rural populations. While drug abuse has saturated the landscape in Washington County, Arise Addiction Recovery (AAR), a faith-based organization based in Machias that started in 2015, is on the front lines and has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people needing help.
     The statistics are startling. In 2016 Maine averaged one death by heroin overdose a day. Today, in Washington County the drug overdose death rate is three times the state average.
     Paul and Lindsay Trovarello, the founders of Arise Addiction Recovery, both know firsthand the physical and mental dependency drugs have on the user and the family. They also acknowledge the burden it places on a community. "Lindsay and I both have a history of drug addiction that almost destroyed our lives," says Paul. "We were introduced to freedom through the Lord at a program similar to Arise in Orrington called Calvary Residential Discipleship (CRD). Once completing the basic and leadership program, we felt called to serve in Washington County after seeing the impact drug use is having in this area."
     In a two‑year period AAR has assisted approximately 100 people in their battles with addiction. AAR uses a residency program, weekly group meetings, direct detox and cooperation with other organizations such as CRD, constantly shifting focus to the assistance individuals seeking help require and the support they and their families will need afterwards.
     During 2017 AAR graduated 12 men from the program, assisted 30 men and women with detox and helped others to enter programs similar to the faith-based approach taken by organizations like AAR and CRD.
     The resident program currently can house 15 men at a time. AAR is now looking to duplicate that effort for women, planning the launch of a resident program in the spring. The program will house and care for eight women at a time. Trovarello indicates this was not the first time they tried to do something like this. "We had a small resident program for women a year or so ago, but found we were not yet prepared to make it successful. Today we believe we are ready to try again."
     Another new program being planned is an after-school gym in East Machias, which will be an activity-based program designed to discourage drug use and replace it with physical activities, such as boxing. "Our hope is to serve the youth in our community as a preventative measure against addiction," says Trovarello. "This is in the very beginning stages, and progress will depend on our ability to fund the project."

A community is strengthened when a life is turned around
     Rep. Will Tuell of East Machias knows the impact drugs are having on Washington County and the critical need to do something about it. "I think that Arise is a very important part of how we respond to drug addiction in the area and, just as importantly, how folks dealing with addiction are perceived. Arise helps educate, create acceptance for people battling addiction and helps folks overcome it. Could there be more successes? Yes, but I would also say that for every person who has gone through Arise, has turned their life around and rebuilt relationships with family, we are that much stronger as a community."
     Tristen Nelson of Jonesboro is an example of Tuell's sentiments. He appeared in a 2017 video by Vice Media documenting the impact of opioid and heroin use on the local fishing industry. Nelson saw where his life was heading as a heroin addict and, after months of living solely to feed his addiction, he finally did something about it. "The worst part about being an addict is we become horribly selfish, we think everything is about us," says Nelson. "But, being the type of program Arise is, it showed me and others there is so much more to it than just sobriety; there is responsibility and accountability for one's actions every single day."
     Today, Nelson is focused on family and what he does on the water to support that family. He can now see and appreciate the beauty of both time and place and knows there is purpose in his life, purpose in every life. "I have a daughter coming next month. She will be my first child," says Nelson. "I think to myself: What kind of dad would I be if my little girl has an emergency and needed me, but I was high and not able to be there for her? Thoughts like those are the ones that remind me how important sobriety and accountability are to me today."
     It is this day‑to‑day life Nelson leads now, with his family and the time spent on the water, that is clearer than ever as he moves forward. Nelson reflects, "I can now see the beautiful things in life: sunrises, sunsets, the way the water jumps into the air when a rough sea runs itself into the ledges, love, admiration, friendship, the list goes on. To those still struggling, I'd ask them what do they want more than anything else in the world besides more drugs? Because, whatever it is, it's there for the taking, and you can achieve your dreams."

Success sometimes begins at the bottom
     “We have seen men restored to husbands, fathers, sons and productive members of society,” says Paul Trovarello. "The healing process does not stop there. We have seen healing come to not only the addicts, but also their family members who suffer greatly through the addicts they love."
     Tom Spencer of Machiasport is another AAR graduate. His story is a dramatic example of someone reaching the lowest of lows, close to total darkness, but, with the help of AAR and others, slowly pulling himself towards the light of recovery. Spencer was a law enforcement professional for 27 years and was prescribed painkillers for a back injury and at the same time developed a drinking problem. He began attending Monday night meetings at AAR and did so for close to a year.
     After his father died, severe depression took hold and he started abusing his medication again, this time pilfering opiates while on duty. Charges were filed, and Spencer lost his job and hit bottom. "I was lost in myself and really did not think about the other people I was hurting," says Spencer. "I was out of work, battling my demons but still had the support of co‑workers, my wife and friends and found I needed to commit totally to a six-month program away from everything to get my life back." Spencer did complete the program and is now involved with AAR helping where he can to mentor others.
     But his story does not stop there. Upon completion of the program, Spencer returned home to find his son battling his own demons. "This was tough, to see my own son spiraling down and lost just like I was," says Spencer. "All I could do was listen to him and, in my own way, try to be a light for him by guiding him to do the right thing."
     Today, life for Spencer and his family is good. He is working again, and his son is five months into sobriety. "My marriage is the best it's been in a long time," says Spencer. "I don't run from things anymore. Instead, I ask questions, surround my life with good people and, because of all of this, I am free of my past."
     Paul and Lindsay Trovarello are confident the program will continue to evolve and serve those seeking assistance and looking for help. When asked about the community and its support for the program, they both smile, and Paul says, "The community has been unbelievably supportive. We are constantly blown away by the generosity we see in this area and feel blessed to serve such a giving community."
     For more information or for help, please contact Arise Addiction Recovery at 255‑5011 or visit <www.ariseaddictionrecovery.com>.