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Greylock Recovery Blog

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Real Talk. Real Recovery.

Whether you’re in treatment, supporting a loved one, or just starting to ask questions, this blog is for you. We cover the stuff that matters—what detox really feels like, how to talk to your family, what relapse means (and doesn’t), and how recovery fits into everyday life.

We don’t sugarcoat. We don’t judge. We just share insights, stories, and tools to help you keep going.

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Featured Blog Posts

When Going Back Felt Like Failure—Until It Became the Turning Point

When Going Back Felt Like Failure—Until It Became the Turning Point

I didn’t tell anyone at first. Not when I started slipping. Not when it turned into using again. And definitely not when the thought crossed

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The Moment You Realize You Didn’t Fail—You Just Weren’t Done Yet

The Moment You Realize You Didn’t Fail—You Just Weren’t Done Yet

I didn’t expect it to happen like that. Not after everything I put in. Not after the days that felt endless, the groups, the honesty,

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Is This Something They Can Still Control—Or Is It Already Controlling Them?

Is This Something They Can Still Control—Or Is It Already Controlling Them?

You notice it in small ways first. The mornings that start too late. The way their hands shake slightly before they’ve had anything. The shift

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Most People Don’t Realize How Much of Them Was Built Just to Get Through the Day

Most People Don’t Realize How Much of Them Was Built Just to Get Through the Day

It doesn’t always look like survival. Sometimes it looks like answering texts. Showing up to work. Laughing at the right moments. Holding eye contact just

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You’re Not Losing Yourself—You’re Letting Go of What Was Quietly Taking You Apart

You’re Not Losing Yourself—You’re Letting Go of What Was Quietly Taking You Apart

There’s a moment people don’t talk about enough—the one where you sit with the thought: If I stop… who do I become? Not in a

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I Thought Going Back Meant I Failed — It Actually Saved My Life

I Thought Going Back Meant I Failed — It Actually Saved My Life

I didn’t tell anyone at first. Not when I slipped. Not when it happened again. Not even when I knew, deep down, I was back

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Cutting Back Was Supposed to Work — So Why Does It Keep Slipping?

Cutting Back Was Supposed to Work — So Why Does It Keep Slipping?

You didn’t ignore it. You noticed the pattern. You tried to adjust. You told yourself, “I don’t need to stop—I just need to get better

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What People Wish They Knew Before Choosing Between Staying Home or Stepping Away for Help

What People Wish They Knew Before Choosing Between Staying Home or Stepping Away for Help

There’s a moment where everything shifts—but not in a dramatic way. You’ve admitted, at least to yourself, that something isn’t working anymore. And now you’re

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You’re Not Losing Yourself — You’re Finally Getting Steady Enough to Feel Real Again

You’re Not Losing Yourself — You’re Finally Getting Steady Enough to Feel Real Again

There’s a moment I hear often in session. It usually comes quietly, like someone admitting something they’re not sure they’re allowed to say: “I don’t

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When I Realized Substances Weren’t Actually My Identity

When I Realized Substances Weren’t Actually My Identity

I used to believe substances were part of my personality. Not just something I used—but something that explained me. They were tied to the music

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When You’re Afraid Getting Better Will Change Who You Are

When You’re Afraid Getting Better Will Change Who You Are

Some people hesitate to seek help not because they don’t want relief—but because they’re afraid of losing themselves. It’s a quiet fear that rarely gets

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When I Realized Sobriety Wouldn’t Erase Me

Recovery Doesn’t Kill Creativity — It Protects It

I used to believe that if I stopped using, I would lose the most interesting parts of myself. The creativity. The emotional intensity. The strange,

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Jody Kocsis is a dependable team member dedicated to maintaining a safe, clean, and efficient facility environment. With a strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality, Jody supports daily operations and ensures a positive experience for all.

Eric Simmons is the Director of Case Management at Greylock Recovery, bringing more than 15 years of experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, residential programming, admissions, and case management. He has led program operations, patient advocacy initiatives, staff development, and outcome improvement efforts across residential and human service settings.

Prior to Greylock Recovery, Eric served as Director of Residential and Admissions Services for a local Berkshire county recovery facility, overseeing residential operations, admissions, referral development, and regulatory compliance. His expertise includes case management, discharge planning, community resource development, compliance, and staff training.

Eric earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Westfield State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is committed to helping individuals overcome barriers to recovery and achieve lasting stability, while also serving his community as a youth football coach and mentor.

Jennifer Parsons is a seasoned human resources executive with more than 15 years of experience leading strategic HR initiatives, talent management, employee relations, and organizational development. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, where she played a key role in fostering a positive workplace culture and supporting the organization’s growth and success.

Jennifer holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), demonstrating her expertise and commitment to excellence in the HR profession. She also earned an associate’s degree in both Business Administration and Hospitality Administration, providing a strong foundation in leadership, operations, and customer service.

A Berkshire County native, Jennifer is deeply committed to her community and currently resides in the region with her family. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Gladys Allen Brigham Center in Pittsfield, supporting the organization’s mission to empower women and strengthen the Community.

Jennifer Walker has been caring for others since 1989, starting out as a nurse’s aide and working her way through roles as a medical assistant, LPN, and RN. Along the way, she earned an associate’s degree in business administration and gathered an impressive range of experience—from primary care and long-term care to neurosurgery, neurology, colorectal surgery, orthopedics, and hospital-based surgical services. She’s also spent seven years helping individuals overcome substance use disorders, including time as a Director of Nursing, and has worked in hospice and with patients with disabilities.

But Jennifer’s dedication to people goes far beyond the workplace. A former foster parent and active supporter of local charities, she pours her heart into her community. When she’s not in scrubs, you can find her cheering at a sports game, tending to her garden, or enjoying laughter-filled moments with her family. Her blend of skill, heart, and positivity makes her not just a caregiver, but a true bright light for everyone she meets.

Elizabeth Azzariti, LICSW,

Elizabeth Azzariti, LICSW, is a seasoned clinical leader with over 10 years of experience in treating behavioral and addiction issues. After a successful 25-year career in the insurance industry, where she advanced to VP of Finance and Administration, she returned to school, earned her Master of Social Work from Wheelock College, and launched a new career dedicated to behavioral health. In her new role as Clinical Director at Greylock Recovery, she brings deep expertise in clinical operations, program development, and multidisciplinary team leadership. Most recently, as Executive Director at Nulife Behavioral Health, she served as both Clinical and Executive Director, leading the launch of PHP, IOP, TMS, Alumni, and Family programs while overseeing clinical staff hiring, supervision, and operations. She designed and implemented a 16-week evidence-based curriculum for co-occurring disorders that boosted attendance, retention, and patient outcomes. Her prior leadership roles include Clinical Supervisor at Blue Hills Recovery—directing multidisciplinary teams across PHP, IOP, and 24/7 residential programs—and at New England Recovery Center. EMDR-trained and specializing in trauma-informed care and integrated treatment, Elizabeth is passionate about delivering high-quality clinical care that supports lasting recovery for individuals and families.

Flora Sadri-Azarbayejani’s journey in the field of healthcare began at Boston University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering.

Dr. Sadri-Azarbayejani pursued dual master’s degrees at Boston University, specializing in epidemiology and biostatistics, and medical science. She then attained her doctorate in medicine from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Sadri-Azarbayejani’s professional career commenced as an epidemiologist in infectious disease at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Eventually appointed as the Chief Medical Officer.She became board certified in addiction medicine and worked in the addiction space since 2014. She has worked both inpatient and outpatient addiction medicine. Opening programs in both arenas.

Currently serves as the medical director for substance use services at Lowell Community Health Center and for an inpatient addiction treatment center. Dr. Sadri-Azarbayejani is an active and engaged member of various medical societies, including the Massachusetts Medical Society, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).

Involved with development of CARF guidelines for outpatient addiction treatment programs. She also hopes to make an impact on passing legislation of supervised consumption sites in the near future.

Lauren Temple is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) bringing over 15 years of dedicated leadership in the behavioral health sector, with extensive expertise spanning inpatient, outpatient, and substance use disorder programming. She obtained her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and holds dual licensure as an LICSW in Massachusetts and an LISW-S in Ohio. Serving as the Executive Director for Greylock Recovery, Lauren manages clinical operations, regulatory adherence, and strategic growth to uphold the highest standards of patient-centric treatment.

Her professional background includes directing diverse clinical teams, broadening service accessibility, and overseeing quality improvement efforts while navigating complex accreditation and state regulatory cycles. Lauren remains deeply invested in cultivating elite clinical staff, improving recovery metrics, and championing evidence-based advancements in behavioral health care.