Rory

Senior firsthand Guide
Johnson City, TN

Rory was fortunate to grow up in a nurturing environment, with both parents being accomplished lawyers who provided him with support and love. His parents did their best to provide Rory with a comfortable childhood, where he wanted for nothing. 

Despite this, Rory still experienced the impacts of family discord and mental health struggles, notably as his mother’s untreated mental health challenges later evolved into alcoholism. A long and difficult custody battle between his parents left lasting scars that, combined with growing up in a time when drug use was perceived as normal and fun, set Rory on a path where substance use became a coping mechanism.

By his twenties, Rory found himself grappling with addiction issues, particularly stimulant use disorder. His first experience with sobriety came in 1994, leading to nearly a decade of recovery after treatment. Although he faced further challenges, including a relapse followed by recovery in 2015, Rory has now enjoyed over nine years of sustained sobriety.

Before dedicating himself to peer support, Rory worked as a model in New York and Paris, later running a successful floral design and orchid business. His clients included fashion houses and prominent New Yorkers, providing him a front-row seat to a fast-paced world. Today, Rory finds joy in simpler pleasures in East Tennessee, where he tends a large vegetable garden and cares for his miniature dachshunds. With interests ranging from history to theater, Rory believes life is about staying engaged and present—finding beauty and purpose in every experience.

In the past year, working at firsthand has deepened Rory's commitment to recovery. Being surrounded by empathetic colleagues has been a blessing, and he values his ability to maintain strong work-life boundaries. This grounding helps him stay present and connected with those he supports, offering them a listening ear and guidance without overextending himself. Rory has come to value the balance between seriousness and joy—a balance that firsthand celebrates and cultivates within its core values.

By embracing his past and leveraging his experiences, Rory has crafted a life dedicated to the betterment of others. Through his work as a peer, he has discovered that the greatest gift of recovery is not just freedom from addiction, but the opportunity to inspire hope in those he serves.