TSTC alumna celebrates recovery month caring for incarcerated
Editor’s Note: This story wraps up the series of articles by TSTC’s Sarah Trocolli for National Recovery Month.
Every September, National Recovery Month serves as a time to celebrate people living in recovery and promote education about substance abuse disorders and mental health.
Betty Delgado
One Texas State Technical College alumna has made it her mission to make every month feel like National Recovery Month.
Betty Delgado is a 2011 graduate of the Chemical Dependency Counseling program and serves as assistant program director for the Management and Training Corporation at the T.R. Havins Unit, an In-Prison Therapeutic Community partnered with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
“I struggled with addiction years ago, and I found that my passion was helping people who struggle with the same thing. So when I heard about the program at TSTC, I knew without a doubt that was where I needed to be,” Delgado said.
In TSTC’s Chemical Dependency Counseling program, which offers an associate degree and a certificate of completion at its Breckenridge, Brownwood and Abilene campuses, students learn the skills needed to work not only in the chemical dependency treatment field, but also in related areas of the criminal justice system and mental health programs.
“I get so excited for Recovery Month because life without substances is amazing. It’s the real you! So we want to make it a time for our clients to feel celebrated as they are embarking on their journey,” Delgado said.
Clients and staff are recognized for their past and current successes throughout the month. Delgado says it is an important part of the recovery process.
“There is such a misconception about the recovery process. And while it can be a difficult and long road, it is not without fun or happiness. People are changing their lives, and that deserves to be recognized,” Delgado said.
TSTC instructor Elizabeth Jones says she is proud of the work her former student is doing and hopes people continue to learn of resources available.
“Betty Delgado exemplifies what a true recovery program is. She was an excellent student while at TSTC, and I knew that she would go far in the field of Chemical Dependency Counseling,” Jones said. “It’s so important for people who have an addiction to become aware that they are not alone in their efforts and that support is there for everyone.”
Delgado encourages anyone with a heart for helping others to explore the program.
“We have a big need for professionals in this field because the substances are changing. We have to stay up to date on what is substance abuse and be available to help all those who are seeking help in their battle,” Delgado said.
National Recovery Month is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
For more information about National Recovery Month, log on to recoverymonth.gov.
To learn more about TSTC, visit the Breckenridge campus at 307 N. Breckenridge Ave. or go online at tstc.edu.
For more stories on National Recovery Month, click the Breckenridge Texan links below:
Story by Sarah Trocolli/Texas State Technical College
