Frame reflects on addiction

 

Jason Frame is a certified peer support worker currently working at the Socorro County Alternatives Program facility.

What is your job here at this facility?

The main thing is to keep them out of jail as well as keep people motivated when it comes to their recovery to stay clean.

How long have you been with the organization?

I’m coming up on my fifth year. Back in 2012, I was a client here myself while I was heavy into my own personal addiction. This office helped me to create a lifestyle that did not involve drugs and alcohol.

What was [part of your addiction] in the past?

Whatever was closest to me. The alcohol started when I was a kid, around 12-13 years of age. I slowly graduated to speed in the form of white crosses.

Did you continue your addiction?

I sure did. Marijuana was my easy form of calming things down. I got a DWI at the age of just 21. I did that until the year 2000 when I came to live here in Socorro with my sister. She helped me get to the point in which I had a family. Unfortunately, my addiction took over and that fell apart. I was back to using pills and methamphetamine every day.

How did you stop?

I was sentenced to two years’ probation and had to come to the I.O.P. program here in Socorro. Doing that helped me to pick a clean and sober life since 2013.

Do you ever think about using again?

It will always be in the back of my mind. There are pathways in our brains. If you have done drugs and alcohol as long as I have, it is what the drug wants you to do. Fortunately, I have learned ways to try and combat it. You cannot let the disease control you.

How are you keeping up with your sobriety?

I go to as many NA meetings as possible. Whether it is NA or AA, I try not to show the people anything. I simply want to show that recovery is possible, it just takes a lot of work. Using alcohol and drugs to remedy the situation is never going to work. It does not let you heal.

What is the best part about working at Socorro Community Alternatives?

I see people I used to be on the streets with and using with. Now I am able to help them. It is not about telling them what they are doing wrong. It is more about building on what they are doing right. Sometimes we have to start all over and lay a new foundation. The basics of life and finding a place in the community.

Were you born and raised in Socorro?

I was born in Gallup, New Mexico. I lived in the Twin Lakes area. My father brought me to Albuquerque after that, so I was there for about 20 years. I am currently taking classes at New Mexico Tech.

Are you an only child?

I had five sisters and a brother, one of which I lost to COVID this past year. I will not name names, but at least one is a subject of addiction.

You have a gratitude list. What is that?

Number one my grandson. He makes me happy every day. This community here in Socorro. I’ve thought about moving but I see the need for somebody like me here. There is a divine plan, and I am simply a part of it.

Favorite Movie?

“Tombstone.” It depicts the wild, wild west as it once was. There were a lot of good qualities in a man back then. It also shows that as wholesome as men can be there is still an evil side.

You get one song for the rest of your life. What is that?

“Redeemed” by Big Daddy Reed. It does not matter of the wrong we have done as long as we see the error in our thinking and try to redeem ourselves.

Favorite Book?

I’m not a big reader, but I’ll go with George Orwell’s 1984. It’s funny because it’s happening. If you look around, they’re watching us. There’s a camera in four places and that is what Orwell said was going to happen.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I don’t know. I believe Socorro is where I belong. Even if this town did not exist, I would not have an answer to your question.

If you could change one thing about Socorro County, what would it be?

We don’t have a full-time treatment center here for our addicts. We don’t have a proper rehab. I do not wish to speculate but something has to be done on that end.