Battling a disease is a very hard thing to do. Battling a disease all alone can be painful and sad. Battling a disease of addiction all alone can be impossible. One local business owner knows that fact, and has dedicated his life to changing it.
Dan Reardon and his wife Laura own and operate DLR’s Coffee, Books, Etc. at 5901 Watt Avenue in North Highlands. With a book store and a coffee house in the front, and a Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and Alcoholics Anonymous meeting hall in the back, this couple is bringing inspiration, hope, and healing to our community which has been war-torn by addiction.
For over twenty years the Reardons have been celebrating their recovery, and they live to show others that there is a life after addiction. When Dan became injured on the job and could no longer work in construction, he knew he needed a new career, and he wanted to do something that would make a difference. He opened a recovery-themed book store on Auburn Blvd, but he decided that he wanted to host meetings and sought a larger facility. He found a home for his dream in North Highlands. Adding mochas and cappuccinos increased his revenue, his foot traffic, and his ability to reach the public. Dan talks to his customers about the hard reality of addiction, and encourages them to do something to help themselves. For him, he says, the meetings are about "talking to people about what they know. It’s not preaching. It’s telling a story."
The Reardons are involved in promoting a local event; the Spring Fling 2008: Language of the Heart conference is being held February 21-24th at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium at 15th and J Streets in Sacramento. There will be speakers from throughout California at this event discussing recovery and healing that comes from talking with other survivors. The event will include fellowship, meetings, speakers, a dance, and more. For more information on this event, please visit www.sacspringfling.org. Registration is available in advance or at the door.
Dan says he tries to help people get it from their head to their heart, and then recovery is a reality. Even though he knows that this kind of business is not the most profitable, and many other ventures like his have gone the wayside, he knows that North Highlands needs a place like DLR’s to bring hope, healing and restoration. For more information about getting help for addiction, visit www.aa.org or call (800) 600-4673.
If you are struggling right now with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, or if you have worked the steps in the past and now you feel that you need a new meeting home, the Reardons invite you to join them for coffee and a meeting during the following times: Tuesday 7-8 pm, Wednesday 7-8 pm, Thursday 5:30-6:30 pm or 7-8 pm, Friday 1-2:30 pm or 7- 8:30 pm, and Sunday 4-5pm. You can reach DLR’s at (916) 344-3577.