Working in Recovery Gave James Rickrode a Fresh Start
For James Rickrode, long-term recovery—seven years and counting—has been possible by making it his top priority. It’s not easy for a man with five kids at home, but James insists it’s the only way. Today, at 46, James is vice president and general manager of Fresh Start Sober Living of Maine, a nonprofit that operates 17 recovery residences in the Bangor area. These residences offer safe, affordable housing for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
“With 150 people in early recovery, it’s a very demanding job,” James says. “But the success stories we see here at Fresh Start keep me motivated. I needed a job that would hold me accountable, and my co-workers do that. We drug test each other, make sure we’re attending meetings, and go to recovery events together.”
Scott Pardy, who founded Fresh Start, met James while running recovery meetings at local jails. Scott eventually became James’ sponsor. “James decided that, for him to stay sober, it had to be a lifestyle—just as drinking had been,” Scott says.
James’ substance use began early. At 10, he started drinking and using cannabis. By his teens, he was dependent on alcohol and drugs. A car accident at 19 led to a prescription for pain medication, which he began abusing. “I manipulated doctors to get more medication,” James says. His substance use led to several arrests for disorderly conduct and domestic violence. “I got away with a lot for a while,” he admits.
Though he tried methadone and other treatments, James continued using alcohol and cannabis. “I was in and out of detox programs, thinking of it like an oil change—clean up for a month, then go right back to using.” He even added heroin to the mix. Things took a dark turn when James was arrested and spent some time in jail.
James believed opioids were the root of his problems. After successfully quitting opioids with the help of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), he thought things would improve. But he continued to drink heavily, sometimes consuming a gallon of vodka a day. In July 2017, another argument with his wife escalated, and James threatened to hang her. This time, he faced aggravated domestic violence charges—a felony. The jail sentence that followed was the rock bottom James needed. He hasn’t used drugs or alcohol since.
“As I began to work a program of recovery in jail, things started getting better just quick enough to give me hope,” he says. He attended church, started addressing his mental health issues, and earned his GED. After seven months, James was released to Wellspring, a six-month treatment program in Bangor.
The treatment program was life-changing. “It was the first time I consistently worked toward something and achieved it,” he says.
After completing treatment, James moved into a level 1 recovery residence but felt he needed more structure. He then moved into Fresh Start’s level 2 recovery residence, and within months, Scott hired him as a House Manager. Fresh Start has since expanded, adding new houses each year, and in 2023, it became a nonprofit. Now, James serves as Vice President and part-owner.
In his role, James develops policies, oversees house managers, and handles various tasks, from fixing toilets to working with attorneys to help residents get released to Fresh Start. He also maintains an apartment at the recovery residence for when he needs to “hit the pause button” from family life.
James’ life today is a far cry from his past struggles. He credits his recovery to working a program, staying away from substances, and living by spiritual principles. “I do service work, and I just got my driver’s license. I’d never had one before. Yeah, my life is good,” he says.