Modern Therapy and Wellness sat down with Ronnie Delaune, LPC, LAC, Regional Supervisor of Outreach for Avenues Recovery Centers of Louisiana.
MTW: Hi Ronnie, as we both know Mardi Gras can be a tough and scary time for members of the recovery community. I know that Avenues has taken a leading role in offering a safe place for folks in recovery and their family members. Can you tell us about that?
Ronnie: Yes, we have our sober safe spot which is on Napoleon and St. Charles. Starting February 21st through March 4th for all of the uptown parades. The mayor has supported us by offering us some prime real estate that is barricaded off. The police and other around our spot have really been supportive of our efforts to afford the recovery community an alcohol-free safe spot to enjoy the culture of Mardi Gras. We view this as an opportunity to celebrate recovery and New Orleans culture by offering a safe space for everyone.
MTW: That is fantastic. So how do people get access to the sober site? Is there anything special that they have to do?
Ronnie: No, we invite everyone who is either in recovery or in support of a family member or loved one in recovery are welcome. It’s 100% free, just show up. You can find us by looking for our sober safe spot flags and sober safe spot T shirts, hoodies, and bags for your catches during the parade which we also give out.
MTW: Amazing. Can you tell us how the sober safe spot started?
Ronnie: As a person in recovery, my first parade experience was shaky at best. Everyone around me were partying and enjoying the parade in the usual ways and I felt a bit of nervousness surrounding my own recovery, but I also wanted to enjoy the festivities as well. All of our clients that complete treatment feel the same way when these events and holidays happen. The sober safe spot started from our alumni wanting to give back to the peers that went before and will come after them. Our alumni group runs the entire thing in an effort to offer support to the recovery community and to show the new folks in recovery that we don’t have to miss out on life just because we are sober. Recovery can be fun.
MTW: How has this been received by the community?
Ronnie: This is our 4th year offering the Mardi Gras Sober Safe Spot and the support from local government and law enforcement has been great. The people around the Mardi Gras safe spot have also been very supportive, offering support and kindness. One of the really cool things is hearing people on Mardi Gras floats screaming their sobriety dates as they pass by.
MTW: We love that so much! We are curious, how many people have been coming out to the sober safe spot?
Ronnie: We have hundreds of attendees each year and it has gotten bigger and bigger each year. It’s always an amazing turnout. It is a fun time, and everyone leaves with Avenue’s swag.
Come out and join the fun at the sober safe spot on St. Charles and Napoleon or for more info go to sobersafespot.org
Modern Therapy and Wellness is a group therapy practice in New Orleans, Louisiana. We care about your emotional health. We have therapists that are available for individual and couples therapy either virtually or in our cozy office space in Mid City. We offer specialties in the areas of substance abuse, couples, boundary work, grief, anxiety, and life stressors and transitions. We also offer brainspotting, EMDR and couples intensives. Email us for information about our services or for a free consultation. Email: info@moderntherapyandwellness.com