One of the most important parts of the Odyssey Center’s success is our students. We aim to make sure each of the students taking our classes, whether online or on campus, have a great experience. We like shining the spotlight on our students as much as we can. Recently, we had a chance to sit down and talk with student, Anthony Merlino, about his career path and what he has gone through to get where he is today.
Struggles with Addiction Lead to Major Breakthroughs
In 2010, Anthony was enrolled in the Salvation Army Program, battling his addiction. He did great in this program and really enjoyed getting to know the director and the staff of this program. Once he got out, he found himself homeless and using again. He spent nearly four years on the street before entering the Fort Lyon Supportive Residential Community Program in Denver, CO. This is a two year treatment program that has shown to have a great deal of success in the treatment of addiction.
While at Fort Lyon, Anthony began searching around for programs that would allow him to become a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC). Since his days of homelessness in Fort Junction, Anthony had used is desire to become an addiction counselor as a way to stay positive. Anthony says that he always felt like he had a purpose and that purpose was to help others struggling with addiction.
The Convenience Offered By Odyssey
Anthony was most impressed by the convenience offered by Odyssey Center in regards to their online learning. Having to drive into Denver from Fort Lyon each day would have been nearly impossible for Anthony. The online learning allows him to get the core classes he needs to reach his ultimate goal of becoming a CAC. Thanks to the help of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Anthony is able to have his classes and a laptop computer paid for. He uses his love of counseling and his education as a way to maintain his sobriety and stay on track.
After graduating from Odyssey Center, Anthony hopes to get his intern hours at the Resada Treatment Center in Las Animas. Once he completes his intern hours, he hopes to return to his hometown of Grand Junction to help other addicts find a path to sobriety.
Pc: Nathan Huisenga @vividmind27 via Instagram
Advice for Those Struggling with Drug or Alcohol Dependencies
For Anthony, returning to his hometown and showing all those who doubted
him that they were wrong is important. He says some of the people he encountered during his time of being homeless in Grand Junction were not so kind. Anthony wants others who are struggling with dependencies to realize that staying positive is necessary when trying to overcome and grow.
If you are interested in becoming an addiction counselor, or relate to Anthony’s story, give Odyssey Center a call. They make obtaining your degree easy with their online classes and work with students from a variety of backgrounds.