Reader comments
Ex-addict looks to give back
14 comments | Read story
Dave in San Diego | 7:30 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Now this is a news story...a man who has conquered his demons and now
understands that which is of most worth in life, family and serving his fellow
man. I'm impressed!
wb | 9:20 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
For an recovering addict, every clean day is a challenge and putting together a
few years is a miracle to cherished. Good luck to you Steve, may the clean
years continue.
rainy | 9:44 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Being able to give others the dignity they deserve is very refreshing in society
today. Fellow man is out here waiting to be treated with worth. Good Job!!!!
Comments continue below
JoeyKInWJ | 10:35 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Coming from an addict who is currently in an IOP setting with 60 + days of
sobriety under my belt I find these stories to be inspiring and helpful in terms
of my recovery. As it was mentioned in a previous comment every day indeed can
be a struggle. However I find right now that all of the happiness I have ever
wanted for myself and those I love is much easier to achieve just by living in
the moment. Life is indeed a precious gift that all too often is taken for
granted. It is nice to be able to appreciate life as a whole. Good or bad.
And to be able to approach the decisions we all face with a greatly appreciated
clarity.
Hero of Canton | 12:59 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Good Luck to Steve, addiction is a horrific thing. Those who can fight that
fight and stay sober deserve a lot of respect for continuing to fight. You are
never addiction free and while it is sad when people start down that road, it is
all the more gratifying when they can fight it and begin the sober life.
Congratulations to JoeyKInWJ, 60+ is a great milestone and is the beginning of the rest of your life. My prayers go out to you!
Congratulations to JoeyKInWJ, 60+ is a great milestone and is the beginning of the rest of your life. My prayers go out to you!
tll | 2:08 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
This article has really helped me understand what my son is going through right
now. He recently moved home after scrambling and struggling to live on his own
as an addict for the last ten years. Now he is at the very beginning of a long
road to recovery. It helps to read about other people's experiences and
learn the best way to help those who are in recovery.
Drs. Jack Ayre | 3:58 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
You go get em Steve. On December 31 I concluded 5 years of teaching and serving
addicts in both the Utah State penitentiary and Adult Detention Complex (county
jail). You are needed so much. We have got to find ways to better assist those
who use and abuse substances.
The record number of times admitted to the jail, that I taught, was 47 times. He needs assistance not only jail. I consider jail to be a "hospital" or a "time-out place."
I have watched year after year the same individuals come and go. I've wept with them, prayed with them, blessed them, we have pondered life, meditated together...I've learned the addict must "hit THEIR bottom" before they humble themselves and admit they have addictions. My experiences teach me that it requires a spiritual change of heart, at least one buddy and group meetings daily.
And most poignant of all, "But for the grace of God there go I." We all are only a handful of decisions away from addictions and incarceration.
My prayers and faith go with you Steve. Be bold but loving, honest always and never embarrassed. There are hundreds of helpers out there who can serve.
The record number of times admitted to the jail, that I taught, was 47 times. He needs assistance not only jail. I consider jail to be a "hospital" or a "time-out place."
I have watched year after year the same individuals come and go. I've wept with them, prayed with them, blessed them, we have pondered life, meditated together...I've learned the addict must "hit THEIR bottom" before they humble themselves and admit they have addictions. My experiences teach me that it requires a spiritual change of heart, at least one buddy and group meetings daily.
And most poignant of all, "But for the grace of God there go I." We all are only a handful of decisions away from addictions and incarceration.
My prayers and faith go with you Steve. Be bold but loving, honest always and never embarrassed. There are hundreds of helpers out there who can serve.
Clean in Nevada | 4:08 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
This is a great story that needs to be told over and over! It is The American
problem!! I am glad that the stigma is changing, that stigma kept a lot of
people sick for a long time.
Not in my neighborhood! | 11:21 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
My parents have become victims to the greed of long time neighbors in thier
cul-de-sac who decided to make thier home a "Treatment home" with out
any permits in California. I say greed because people are paying BIG bucks to
live in some of these places and get their "counseling" while
neighbors are clueless to what kind of addicts are living near by. I'm
concerned for my aging parents and the children in the neighborhood. My brother
is an alchoholic and recovering drug addict so it's not like I have no
sympathy here, but I have a heck of lot more sympathy for my parents, and all
others in their same position, who live with so few answers or acknowledgements
to their concerns from the owners and little being done by their city to protect
them plus potential property devaluation. Half way houses should be located FAR
from residential neighborhoods PERIOD! You can thank the overly liberal minded
who think more about criminal rights than victims for including drug addicts as
"disabled" and therefore deserving of the same housing rights as a
wheelchaired bound non-criminal. What injustice!
Not in my neighborhood...again | 11:33 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I realize the tone of my first comment was very negative. I am proud of Mr.
Brunken and wish him the best as he moves forward in his recovery as I have the
same hopes for my alchoholic brother who has struggled with his addictions for
years. However, when I read this article it seemed to me the focus was more on
the "Positive" use of residential homes being used for recovering
addicts and that is why I wrote in such a huff. I don't apologize for my
strong opinion as I'm very concerned about safety for neighbors living
around "treatment homes", but I am not heartless either and would
prefer that cities would work with developers to make facilities in
non-residential areas, for just this kind of housing need. Many of these
people, my brother included, are past criminals and can't be fully trusted.
My brother is one of the biggest liars in the world thanks to alchohol, but
when he's sober he's one of my favorite people, though I still
can't put full faith in him and would never entrust him with my money.
Michael Bodily M.S. | 11:45 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
I knew Steve when we were kids. He was a year younger than me all through school
and church. Steve was a nice kid and very talented athletic wise. I have often
wondered about Steve and his brother Jeff over the years. Their father was a
very patient and kind man. In fact, he took my brother flying in his airplane
once. I'm glad Steve is doing well. I have a two nephews that went through
the same thing. One sobered up and went on a mission for the LDS chuch, but the
other did not and is still messed up. I'm glad Steve is now contributing
back to his neighborhood. Steve, stay strong!
Brent Miller | 7:13 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
I've know Steve, his brothers Jeff and Dan and their father for many years.
One of the nicest families I've ever known and true Christians in the
truest sense of the word. The apple never falls far from the tree. Mr Brunken
was a kind, generous and giving person and Steve obviously is learning to follow
in his footsteps. I'm so thrilled to hear about him. Way to go Steve!
angela parkinson | 1:58 p.m. Jan. 24, 2009
As i have too learned the path to God I can only thank my parents for their
faith and teachings. As i patch my mistakes of the past..I grow, learn and
soften. God Bless You all..and send my love to brother Brunken, Remember my diet
cake?..ha..ha..God speed and keep in touch. I love You all so tender..your
sister in Christ, Angela Parkinson
re:note e-mail.....
re:note e-mail.....
De Parkinson | 7:08 p.m. Jan. 24, 2009
How fondly Max and I remember your family. I helped care for your mom before she
passed and your dad helped us when Angela was very ill with a rare herb for the
treatment of cancer. Your dad flew me to Provo to see our daughter, Lisa when
she was at BYU. You, yourself, are in our family album with Lisa as you attended
a prom together. That was in the mid 80's. Many years have passed and it
appears trials and tribulations in life have brought you to the threshold of
opportunity for a unique mission in service to humanity. We celebrate your
courage in this regard. None of us are strangers to trials. We believe they are
meant to awaken compassion, forgiveness, humility and all other virtues that
have been overshadowed by the vices that can afflict humankind. It seems trials
can be an important path to the Divine, if we have the eyes to see and the heart
to understand. No parent wishes difficulties for their babies, but God willing,
may they find angels, like yourself, along the way to lead them to the Light. We
all need one another. God Bless.
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