Joe Herzanek Joins Our Team

by Ned Wicker
(Wisconsin)

There is no substitute for the kind of wisdom borne of experience and on that front Joe Herzanek scores very high marks. For the last couple of years Joe has graciously given of his time and expertise in appearing on “Recovery Now,” our internet round table discussion radio show dedicated to all aspects of addiction.

We are pleased to enter into a more formal working relationship with Joe and excited to help addicts and their families avail themselves of his vast personal knowledge of the disease that causes their suffering.

Herzanek is the founder of Changing Lives Foundation and author of the outstanding book, “Why Don’t They Just QUIT?”, now in its second printing. Joe also spends time counseling inmates and advising their family members and others in the community on effective ways to negotiate the often complex “world of addiction and recovery.”

Formerly, the Chaplain at the Boulder (Colorado) County Jail, Joe has spent over 17 years working in Jails and Prisons as both a Chaplain and Addictions Counselor. Joe’s personal struggles earlier in life were preparation for working with offenders who also have addiction problems.

From age 13 to 29, Joe battled his own drug and alcohol problem—finally receiving treatment. He now has over 33 years of abstinence from substances. Treatment gave him the information and structure needed to begin his journey of recovery. Information was the key that started the process.

Believing that a person must first “know” what to do to make a change brought him to this next chapter in life.

Joe has three children—one who still is living at home. He and his wife Judy live in Colorado, enjoy playing with their two Cairn Terriers Lewis and Clark, camping, and most of all—hiking above tree line in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

I have been impressed with Joe’s honesty and openness since our very first “Recovery Now” conversation, but that pales in comparison to my respect for his knowledge and compassion in reaching out and helping people in a deeply personal way.

Our web sites, drug-addiction-support.org and alcoholism-support.org will be enhanced by his participation and we certainly invite you to check out his book, “Why Don’t They Just Quit?” and the accompanying video.

Click here for more information on Joe's Book and DVD