James Lynch had hit rock bottom.
About five years ago, he found himself living in his car. He was consumed with addiction, his mind focused on little else than when and where he would get his next drink.
It was a life far different than the one he once led.
He had been a devoted husband for nearly three decades, a loving father to his two daughters and a college professor at Indiana University. Alcohol took all of that away.
“Since I was very young I was a high-functioning alcoholic, until I was not,” he told the Berks County commissioners Thursday. “I suddenly found myself needing recovery. I first got sober in Indiana and then I came here to take care of my elderly parents.
He moved to Fleetwood in 2019, still dedicated to his newfound sobriety. But in 2024, after five years without alcohol, he relapsed in 2024.
“I had a good run, but I felt very isolated here,” he said, saying his drinking led him on a downward spiral. “I found myself living in my car and I knew I had to do something about it, so I checked myself into rehab.”
At the rehab, he learned about Easy Does It. He was able to obtain a spot there and has been living at the housing and recovery support provider’s Bern Township facility now for more than a year.
“Being at Easy Does It is one of the best things that have happened in my life,” he said. “I found so much of what had been missing in my recovery there. I feel very safe in the community that I have found there.”
He said the friendships he built at the facility will last a lifetime.
“I found my people in recovery,” he said. “It really helped me turn my life around again and gave me a supportive spot from which to recreate myself in this third act of my life.”
Lynch is now trying to rebuild his life. He has been applying to nursing programs, hoping to get an opportunity to spend the rest of his life helping others.
Celebrating recovery
Lynch was one of several Berks residents recovering from substance abuse who attended the county commissioners meeting on Thursday and thanked them for the financial support that has played a significant role in helping more than 30,000 county residents who are in recovery.
Each September, timed to coincide with National Recovery Month, a group visits the commissioners to share stories that underscore how each person battling addiction is unique and to stress the impact that county-supported services have played in their recovery.
The county gave the Berks County Council on Chemical Abuse about $7.1 million to fund programs in 2025. Those at the meeting said it is a worthwhile investment.
Yvonne Stroman, COCA community programs specialist, said every taxpayer dollar spent on recovery results in a savings of $7 that would have otherwise been spent on hospitalizations and the criminal justice system.
“Recovery is not only a personal journey, it is a community achievement,” Stroman told the commissioners. “When individuals struggling with substance abuse are given access to effective treatment, compassionate support and opportunities for reintegration, they can and do thrive.”
Stroman said hearing stories of success and achievement like the one Lynch shared is an important part of celebrating National Recovery Month. She said these stories raise awareness that recovery is possible and hope is real.
They are also a call for action for local leaders and community members to continue building systems that reduce stigma, expand services and invest in prevention treatment, she added.
“On behalf of those who are walking the path of recovery and those seeking it, I want to say thank you to our county commissioners for their ongoing commitment to our health and well-being in our communities,” she said. “I will tell you from my conversations that no other county matches the commitment from Berks County.”
Praising those willing to change
Commissioners Chairman Christian Leinbach said he appreciates that each person who shared their story made a point to thank the people, organizations and the county for their continued support. But he told them that they are the ones who deserve the praise.
“Addiction is rough, it is tough and it is trying to take you down,” he said. “I have to point out that we can’t change your life. Only you can do that. We are there to be a hand when you say help me get back up. But we can’t make you get back up. You’ve made that decision.”
“So I want to thank each of you for making those tough choices when the world seems as dark and as hopeless as you could have probably ever imagined, you still got back up,” he added.
Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr. said he’s proud of the funding and the partnerships the county has contributed to the recovery process. But, he noted, the gratitude should really be directed toward those who are helping on the ground.
“It does take a village and we all have a responsibility to provide that help,” he said. “So thank you for your advocacy, for your commitment to our county and to all those who told your stories. It’s really inspiring.”
Commissioner Michael Rivera said the county’s investment in recovery services has a personal significance to his family. His late father, who was born in Puerto Rico, faced a struggle with addiction as a teenager that followed him into his early 20s. He sought help and was referred to Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge in Tulpehocken Township.
Rivera commended those who shared their stories for shining a light on an issue that some in recovery would rather not discuss publicly due to judgment from others. Looking back, he said, the one thing he wished his father would have done is share his story.
“He was ashamed of who he had been, of what he had gone through, that he never finished school, that he was in gangs, that he had been in jail,” he said through tears. “But he should have shared that with others.
“So the one thing I ask of the people here is that you please share with others so that you can help others in the same situation.”d