Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Statewide Blog
Dan Olson

Recovery and the season of imbibing

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Sobering is one word to describe a visit to The Recovery Church here on Harriet Island in St. Paul.

Jo Campe, 67, who founded The Recovery Church is retiring at the end of 2011.

The Recovery Church is one of only a dozen churches in the country with the singular mission of helping people recover from their addiction to booze and other drugs.

Campe has led the congregation though moments of deep sadness and loss. But the church is also the scene of joy as people develop friendships, embrace, shake hands and applaud declarations of sobriety during the Sunday service.

Campe begins every service with an attempt at humor that might be construed as inappropriate in some circles, but congregants at the Recovery Church are a forgiving lot and have learned over the years Campe's humor is edgy and not always G-rated.

[image]

Campe addresses his church. Photo Maren Olson

Jo Campe is clearly relishing the thought of retirement and having more time for hunting, fishing and camping in northeastern Minnesota where he and his wife have their other home.

However, he isn't climbing completely out of the recovery saddle. His retirement comes during a particularly difficult time for treatment programs. Money for programs is dwindling. Some treatment programs have closed their doors. Others are straining to put clients through shorter treatment programs. Campe will continue his work as a consultant.

Excessive alcohol consumption persists as a problem. The Centers for Disease Control estimates in addition to thousands of lives lost the socialized economic cost in dollars related to excessive alcohol consumption is more than $220 billion a year.

So, for those of us who believe we are not addicted, let's toast the New Year, imbibe and drive responsibly. And then let's think about what can be done individually and collectively to counter the ruinous and deadly effects of addiction.

Here, by the way, is a very fine report done by former MPR colleague David Molpus on The Recovery Church.