Recoveries R Us opens in Inwood

After working as a substance-abuse counselor in New York City for more 20 years, Connie Pacheco opened her own school, Recoveries R Us, at 420 Doughty Blvd., in Inwood, on Sept. 25.
The school will train people to become New York state-certified alcohol- and substance-abuse counselors, combining 350 hours of course work with internship experience. The renewable certification is valid for five years.
Students must pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium test for alcohol and drug counselors. Certification is overseen by the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
Pacheco, the president of Recoveries R Us, began the process of getting a school up and running three years ago. “There is high demand for this certification,” she said. “In working for other organizations, you think about what you’d like to do if you had your own organization. That’s why I decided to do this.”
Students will be fully prepared to be alcohol- and substance-abuse counselors, she said. “They will have an internship halfway through their course. I visit with them at their placements, along with their site supervisors, and observe,” she said. “They will also receive constant linkage with [a future] alumni association, which is headed by the student population, where students can give information and support to each other.” Pacheco will also provide job coaching to her students, helping them land counseling jobs once they are certified.
The school shares its space with another organization, Project 1st Step, a transitional housing program for people with addictions and disabilities. “The need is here,” Pacheco said. “Our programs work well together.” Eventually there will be a doctor working on the premises as well, available to help those in recovery.