Shane Fowler- Addiction Recovery

Shane Fowler is a recovering cocaine addict who began his recovery in February of 2020. After the COVID-19 Pandemic struck, his recovery plan was severely altered as he lost many of his support resources.

When this project began, it focused on how his recovery from his addiction was affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. As the story progressed, the ideas behind the project changed to focus less on the aspect the pandemic held on his recovery to more on how addictions affect one’s entire life in many different aspects. Since starting his most recent recovery, he has made efforts towards changing his career path, working towards his degree, and making steps to put himself into a supportive living program.

Shane Fowler takes a smoke break after his first shift at Pactiv as a forklift operator in Canandaigua, N.Y. Fowler has spent most of his life working in food services however, after making no further strides in his jobs he decided to change industries. At around the age of 21 he was set up to own a branch of the Salvatore’s chain however, he was fired and had to move in with a close friend from high school who was a cocaine dealer.

Shane Fowler leaves his grandparents house in attempt to get home before it rains on his motorized bike. Fowler currently does not own a car and uses a motorized bike to get around. He is hoping with his new job to be able to get a car before Winter begins.

Shane Fowler hugs his grandmother goodbye as he leaves early after watching part of the Eagles Vs. Giants football game. His Sunday tradition is to spend the day at his grandparents and watch the football game. While most of his family are huge fans of the Buffalo Bills he is a New England Patriots fan.

Shane Fowler’s monthly calendar in his room at the Cadence Supportive Living house in Canandaigua N.Y. Fowler lives in supportive living due to the fact that during his most previous attempt at recovery after leaving jail he lived with friends who were “big partiers” and continued to relapse.

Shane Fowler sits in his room drinking coffee and RedBull during his zoom meeting for his Basic Musicianship class with Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua N.Y. Due to his addiction as well as working consistently after dropping out of high school he never started college. This semester is his first semester in college.

Shane Fowler takes a call about possible insurance money he owed during one of his zoom classes in the hall outside the staff office in Cadence supportive living on. Despite having previous money problems due to his addiction he has continued to work on responsible spending, improving his credit and keeping his GPA up to be eligible for many different scholarships.

Shane Fowler smoked outside of Connections: Rounded Recovery, a recovery community center in Canandaigua, N.Y. Fowler enjoys his time at Connections due to the fact he can get in person contact with people going through the same thing he is. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began he feels recovery is harder because he “lost all his resources” and “lost interaction” with people.

Shane Fowler filled out a Coronavirus Screening Assessment before being able to enter Connections: Rounded Recovery. Connections is apart of the Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency a non-profit that serves families and individuals affected by substance abuse in N.Y. FLACRA is continuing to stay open and offer all its normal treatment and recovery services despite some changes such as telehealth appointments.

Shane Fowler made a cup of coffee when he visited Connections to check in and update some of his favorite staff members. Due to college, recovery programs and now a job that he works the night shift for Fowler drinks at least a pot of coffee a day to stay awake and energized.