National Relapse Prevention Institute Honors JR Bittleman

    SUNRISE, FL, January 31, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- N.R.P.I. Achievement Award 2010

From Addict to Advocate

The Remarkable Odyssey of J. R. Bittleman

These days, news items on recovery and repentance appear on a basis that can only be called "sadly frequent."

Yet of all the ascents to a life worth living, none is as inspiring - or as unlikely - as the steep climb taken by J.R. Bittleman.

This former drug addict, convicted of fraud, delivery of cocaine, auto theft, forgery, grand theft, scheme to defraud and numerous other crimes in multiple states, has proven change is possible.

Today, as Work & Substance Abuse Program Developer at a non-profit organization, Bittleman has become a critical cog in programs designed to improve the lives of a growing number of veterans who are homeless, addicted and/or mentally ill.

After years in prison, twelve steps to redemption

"I spent 20 years as an addict and criminal, and years in jail," Bittleman admits. "But these days I am following in the footsteps of my hero, Vincent Marino, founder of Habilitat and a former drug addict with a 20-page rap sheet, pardoned by the president and the governor for years of saving lives."

Bittleman embraced the twelve-steps of Narcotics Anonymous program as part of his recovery while at the First Step Sober House where he learned to love himself. But he credits much of his life change to Ms. Ramona B, a probation officer who provided no wiggle room outside her strict guidelines. Bittleman states, "I was so scared of her that each time she called, I had to go get checked for heart failure. This woman was what finally caused me to realize the game was up."

Ms. Ramona B. was, indeed, a game-changer.

Since his last conviction stemming from a crime in 1998, Bittleman has helped develop as a volunteer numerous Sober Living Programs, including NRPI (National Relapse Prevention Institute), Gorski Sober Living Centers, Pride House, Care Sober Living and other ISR.

Roy Schwartz, CPA who was on the Board of the House of Hope for fifteen years, states, "Bittleman has devoted his life and heart to helping persons suffering from addiction - seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

A new kind of high: helping others

From 2005 to 2009, Bittleman worked as sober living house manager and ran the self-help recovery program meetings dealing with mentally ill substance abusers. There, he discovered that he got "higher" on seeing a person change his or her life than he ever had on cocaine. He says, "I love the feeling of running into someone I helped off the street and put back on track."

A stunning example: the success story of Larry F.

"I was speaking at a NA meeting run by Charles F., a respected recovering addict who houses a couple hundred homeless addicts in recover in Pompano, Florida.

"There was a little guy there, Larry F., who didn't seem to fit in. He was dressed in an older but very expensive suit, which was wrinkled and looked like it had been worn for days.

"The other giveaway was that everyone called him, 'Your honor.'

"I just had to go over to him after the meeting and see if he was okay.

There he told me his story. An incredible story."

Larry F. had been a judge in New York City who had depression issues and had attempted to kill himself by blowing out the pilot light on his stove and turning on the gas when he went to bed.

Apparently, God was not ready for Larry F. yet, and instead of dying in his sleep, a spark from the refrigerator blew his four-story brownstone 30 feet in the air. Miraculously, Larry F. lived.

"Unfortunately," Bittleman points out, "he was arrested for blowing up the building and lost his ability to practice law. He started using drugs to treat his depression and ended up homeless and on the beaches of South Florida. There, Charlie F. found him and brought him to the free BBQ meeting he holds every Sunday."

After hearing this unbelievable story, J.R. felt compelled to help, so he transferred Larry F. to one of the Sober Houses he worked at and covered his rent for almost one year. He managed to get Larry F. back to work in the legal field with David Jay Bernstein, Esq., and through God's graces, Larry's conviction was overturned on appeal.
Today, Judge Larry is applying to be re-admitted to the Bar, and receiving treatment for depression. He owns his own car, rents an apartment and works at a prominent law office.

Most important cause yet: returning veterans

Today, J.R. works with U.S. military veterans who are chronically homeless or unemployed due to substance abuse or mental health issues.

Now, Bittleman working in New York 10-15 days a month and Florida the balance of the month, as a relapse prevention specialist and sober house manager. He prides himself in helping the men and women who protect the freedom J.R. values so dearly today.

With help, with desire, anyone can change

In closing, Bittleman says, "I used to love money, sex and drugs. My heroes were John Gotti and Al Capone. Now it's people like Vinnie Marino, the founder of Habilitat, or Richard Entrican, founder of Twelve Step Sober House, who I hold in the greatest esteem for giving back and changing their own lives as well as hundreds of others.

"Today, I am still an addict. But I have switched my focus from drugs and crime to recovery and family life, and I have never been happier. I want everyone to know that if you really want change, and see no light or future, you can make your own changes, one day at a time.

"I sincerely believe that if I can do it, anyone can do it!

Substance and alcohol sober living and housing group.

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