Full Circle: How One Cousin’s Struggle Led to Another’s Service
In this episode of NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports’ Addiction: The Next Step Podcast, Michele Harris-Semple of Services for the UnderServed (S:US) shares how her cousin’s experience with substance use disorder inspired her own path into social work and behavioral health. Michele discusses the importance of family support, holistic care, and meeting individuals where they are in their recovery. She emphasizes the role of stable housing, peer support, and compassionate treatment in helping people overcome barriers to recovery. Her story highlights how personal experience can fuel professional purpose, and how recovery is possible.
Michele Harris-Semple
“There’s going to be happy moments. There’s going to be sad moments. But even when there’s moments that do come like that, still stay hopeful in that process. Because it’s not going to be forever. You’re going to get over that moment. Pick up a phone call, call someone and ask for that support. Get your peer support. You can’t do this alone. It takes a village.”
—Michele Harris-Semple
Click here to listen to the audio podcast or read the transcript.
