Mary Crocker Cook turned her addiction into empowering others, bringing dignity and purpose to people suffering from alcohol or drug addiction.

The daughter of a military father, Crocker Cook’s family moved frequently. Stability was difficult to maintain and disruption was constant. The situation was difficult for the family, including her mother, who turned to alcohol to help her cope. Crocker Cook quit drinking in his late twenties when he saw that his behavior was starting to resemble his mother’s.

“I went to recovery to help him, and I ended up staying to help me,” he told San José Spotlight.

Crocker Cook’s personal experience led him to pursue a career in addiction counseling and to develop an alcohol and drug studies program in addiction treatment in 1990. His groundbreaking work is still taught today at San Jose City College. Students apply their lived experiences to a career path in substance use programs. He said the majority of addiction counselors in Santa Clara County have participated in his program, with thousands of people becoming certified counselors in recovery and life change.

“We’ve left a solid mark on the professionalism of the services offered here,” he said, “and we’ve even had the chance to train family members, so it has an impact on generations.”

Gary Montrezza, CEO Road CommunityCrocker, who provides substance use counseling services, appreciates Cook’s extensive knowledge, innovative approach to treatment, and perseverance.

“You really have to love people and the idea of ​​their potential,” he told San José Spotlight. “He has the patience, determination and skill to pull this off. He is extremely passionate and has all the technical training skills to back it up. He is on a mission.”

Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez describes Crocker Cook, 60, as a cheerful warrior. He feels that Crocker Cook’s work is necessary due to the high proportion of people fighting nationwide addiction.

“One of the challenges when you have an addiction is that you start giving up on yourself. “A lot of other people are doing the same,” Chavez told San José Spotlight. “(Crocker Cook) reinforces over and over again the value of every human being… that we should not give up on each other.”

As part of Crocker Cook’s alcohol and drug studies program, students receive mentoring and year-round internships with organizations such as the Pathway Society. Additionally, Crocker Cook awards $1,000 scholarships to students each year. This year, David Espino and Brian Adrong were awarded the award.

After 16 years in prison, Espino turned his life around. Adding to her life experiences, her certificate and diploma from the alcohol and drug studies program led her to work at Santa Clara County Behavioral Health. Navigator ProgramA call center that connects people with mental health professionals. Espino is studying at Grand Canyon University to become a substance use disorder rehabilitation counselor.

“Being able to enter and complete the (alcohol and drug studies) program gave me the opportunity to contribute to society,” Espino told San José Spotlight. “Mary Cook’s program opens that door to people like me who have been incarcerated or have a (criminal) justice background. “As a society and a community, we need people like Mary Cook to help people help other people.”

Today, Crocker Cook is the program coordinator for the alcohol and drug studies program and continues to run his private practice, Connections Counseling Associates. He is a commissioner on Santa Clara County’s behavioral health board.

In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California Baptist University and a master’s degree in clinical/counseling psychology from San Jose State University, she earned her Ph.D. He holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and addiction studies from Selinus University in Italy and a doctorate in ministry from California Christian University in Berkeley.

Crocker Cook began his private practice and began teaching at San Jose City College at the age of 24.

“I was buried among people who were healing at a very young age,” he said. “That has never left me in terms of hope.”

Her first paid position in addiction treatment was at El Camino Health, where she fell in love. Later, he worked as a clinical director at various treatment centers, established treatment centers and provided consultancy. He is deeply immersed in addiction program development, teaching, and running his private practice. But he is most proud of the addiction studies program he created at San Jose City College.

“I can see that what we are doing is working,” he told San José Spotlight. “The combination of lived experience and education is powerful. The fact that their asses are on the chair is a testament to them and their capabilities. My job is to help them figure out what they want to do with it.

Contact Lorraine Gabbert at (email protected).