Lee Larson

Lee's path to recovery began unexpectedly. In 1987, after accepting a quality assurance job with the then Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, a review of clinical records brought a moment of personal recognition — seeing familiar patterns in the notes. A conversation with a trusted friend, a substance use and mental health clinician, led Lee to 12-step programs. That began both her road to recovery and a lifelong commitment to sobriety.

That personal turning point shaped everything that followed. Lee became a Substance Use Prevention Consultant — a role she describes as one certain to help keep her on the straight and narrow. Ken Libertoff of the Vermont Association of Mental Health and Addiction Recovery invited her to join the Friends of Recovery team, where she worked on statewide issues in support of recovery. That advocacy helped secure funding for six recovery centers modeled after the Turning Point Club in White River Junction, ultimately contributing to the development of ten recovery organizations, their satellite offices, and a multitude of recovery houses.

After retiring from her prevention consulting career, Lee became chair of the Friends of Recovery Board before joining the TPCCV board, where she now serves as President. TPCCV is currently in the process of restoring a historic building as a new home for its recovery team and services.