Copyright AL.com
When Birmingham city leaders gave Dani Sims a proclamation recognizing how her program helped people struggling with addiction, few may have realized what it took for her to get there. Today, Sims serves as the assistant director of the Recovery Resource Center (RRC), a statewide program of the Crisis Center, housed inside Cooper Green Mercy Health Services. But for several years before, she was an addict herself. “I carry my past with me not as a burden, but as a bridge,” Sims says. “Everything I went through helps me connect deeply with the people I serve today.” A long road Sims first began drinking at 19, not realizing how quickly it would take over her life. “From the moment I got tipsy, I knew I wouldn’t want to give it up,” Sims says. “Alcohol made me feel like I was floating, like I didn’t have to fully engage with life, and that feeling was immediately addictive.” It didn’t take long for her drinking to evolve into alcoholism. Soon after, other substances entered the picture. By 23, she was using intravenous heroin. For years, Sims says, she moved from state to state, trying to escape her addiction and start over. Each time, her situation worsened. Eventually, she was hospitalized with endocarditis and kidney failure. She spent three months fighting for her life, only to return to using drugs afterward. “I used it for four more years,” she admits. “Thirteen treatment attempts. Nine overdoses. And somehow, I was still alive.” Everything changed when she entered a long-term recovery residence and committed to staying for two years. “That was the turning point,” she says. “Recovery was hard, especially early on, but the more I worked on my spirit, the freer I became.” When Sims was finally ready to return to Birmingham, she didn’t just restart her life. She rebuilt it, working in the Recovery Resource Center. “I get to do deeply meaningful work with people who are walking a path similar to the one I was on,” she says. “I talk to people on the streets who feel hopeless and help them begin to see that change is possible.” Sims is also a mother to a vibrant two-year-old and has been a key figure in efforts to provide temporary foster care for pets belonging to individuals entering treatment for substance use disorder. That work ensures that people don’t have to choose between getting well and keeping their beloved companions. Making recovery accessible The Recovery Resource Center (RRC) is a vital lifeline for individuals across Alabama struggling with substance use. As a program of the Crisis Center RRC was designed to be what so many people in addiction need most: a clear starting point. With a complicated and often overwhelming treatment system, many people seeking help are blocked by logistical barriers: no insurance, lack of transportation, or simply not knowing where to begin. RRC was built to meet people exactly where they are physically, emotionally, and logistically. The program offers services connecting people across the state: • In-person or telehealth outreach across Alabama, including to hospitals, jails, and street-level encounters. • Substance Use Disorder (SUD) placement assessments, connecting individuals to state-funded, state-certified treatment programs. • Peer Support Specialists who walk with each person from assessment to admission, offering empathy, encouragement, and accountability. • Zero cost to the individuals being served. Whether someone walks into the Birmingham office, visits the Recovery Den in Jasper, or reaches out via phone, RRC staff are available to listen and offer immediate help toward recovery. “We believe recovery is possible for everyone,” Sims says. “Our work is driven by compassion, lived experience, and a deep commitment to helping people reclaim their lives.” Where to Find Recovery Resource Center: Birmingham Office -Located inside Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, 4th Floor 1509 6th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233. Monday through Friday – Walk-ins welcome Jasper Location - The Recovery Den, 589 Hwy 78 W, Jasper, AL 35501; Wednesdays and Thursdays Statewide Support -Available by phone Monday through Friday for individuals across Alabama
