Since 2017, the Shatterproof Walk to End Addiction has brought people across the country together to honor loved ones lost to substance use disorder, celebrate those in recovery and push for real change. The walks raise awareness and money for advocacy, prevention and access to treatment. That work matters: more than 48 million Americans live with substance use disorder, and 90% of those who need treatment never receive it. Behind the event is Shatterproof, a national nonprofit working to break down the barriers and stigma that keep people from getting quality care.
Among the voices at this year’s walk was Marilyn Pearson, living proof that it’s never too late to start over. Pearson got sober at 70 and now serves as president of Women for Sobriety, a secular abstinence program built to help women reclaim their lives from addiction. She spoke passionately about the science behind addiction, the healing power of community and why she believes the recovery movement has reached a turning point. Her message is clear and full of hope: addiction is a disease, not a moral failing, and nobody has to face it alone.
Could you state your name and who you represent?
My name’s Marilyn Pearson and I represent Women for Sobriety, a secular-based abstinence program for women.
What brought you to Shatterproof Walk today and what does being here mean to you?
We are really excited to participate with Shatterproof, which is building awareness throughout the community. We’ve been sort of a best kept secret and we want people to know about this program for recovery. And Shatterproof is a great way to meet other people in this space and spread the word.
What do you wish more people understood about addiction?
I think I wish more people knew the science of addiction, that it’s not just about willpower, it’s about understanding how addiction affects our brain and what we can do to change our neuropathways to change our lifestyles to make a life worth living sober.
What has this journey taught you about strength, healing and recovery?
One of the things it’s taught me is that community is an antidote to addiction and that’s why we’re here. Being with other people in recovery and helping them and helping yourself is I think a really important part about the healing process. Being with people who understand your journey. Sometimes our family and friends at first don’t understand it.
They think that it’s just a matter of willpower. So this community helps us become stronger, gives us tools that we wouldn’t know about otherwise, and it’s just a great way of getting a life, a new life that’s worth living.
What does it mean to see so many people come together around this cause?
Oh my goodness, it’s so exciting. I feel that we’re at an inflection point in the recovery movement. More and more people are aware of the fact that big business is pushing products on us that are really unhealthy and ultimately are designed to create addiction. And so I’m super excited as president of WFS to be part of this point in the recovery journey and getting rid of the stigma of addiction. It is a disease. It’s not a moral failing. We can do it together if we come together as a community.
What would you say to someone who’s struggling with addiction or is supporting someone who is?
I was 70 when I got sober. If I can do it, you can do it. It’s hard. It is hard work, but it is so worth it. To have a life that you don’t want to numb is really worth it. So I say keep trying, fall down eight, get up nine, you can do it.
One word that represents hope to you.
Sobriety.
What gives you the strength on a difficult day?
I think the statements that we learn in our program are really helpful, but also my sober sisters and my sober community give me strength.
Finish this sentence: Today I’m walking for…
The future of our youth, for our whole community.
Women looking for support can find Women for Sobriety meetings at meetings.womenforsobriety.org/meetings.