The Georgia Addiction Counselor Association recently recognized Jimmie Crimes, M.Ed., CMAC, for his outstanding accomplishments fighting the opioid epidemic right here in Statesboro.
He received GACA's New Counselor of the Year Award. This is recognition of his dedication to working with persons with Substance Use Disorders, especially Opioid Use Disorder.
Crimes completed residential treatment in Statesboro for his addiction at Damascus, and he decided that he wanted to give back to his community.
“Due to my own struggles with addiction, I wanted to be there to help others when they needed a helping hand," Crimes said. "Therapy changed my life and taught me that the sky is the limit if I just believed in myself.”
Crimes decided to enroll at Georgia Southern to get his Masters in Education in Counseling. He completed his degree with a 4.0 GPA. He then went on to get the highest counselor certification awarded by GACA: Certified Master Addiction Counselor.
“I have never seen someone go from Counselor in Training to Master Addiction Counselor so quickly since I have been working for GACA,” said Leanne Williams of the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association.
He is also currently working towards being a Licensed Professional Counselor.
“Jimmie Crimes has been an extraordinary addition to the team at Reliance Treatment Center. He has a smile that is contagious and is always willing to help others trying to live a better life,” said Sonya Naylor, CMAC, CCS, co-administrator at Reliance.
His colleagues expect that this is just the beginning of his successful journey as a Certified Master Addiction Counselor.
“It has been special for me to know Jimmie through his own recovery and development as a counselor, where he combines his personal experience with his education and training to build effective relationships and help others to recover," said J.W. Cliff Williams, LPC, MAC, NCC, CPCS. "GACA’s recognition of Jimmie is likely the first of many accolades to come.”
About Reliance Treatment Center
Reliance Treatment is a local Substance Abuse Treatment Center that specializes in the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. We provide Medication Assisted Treatment with methadone and buprenorphine for those living with Opioid Use Disorder (addiction of pain pills and other opioids) who have a quest to live an opioid-free life. Addiction consumes the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and emotions. We combine individual counseling, group counseling, and FDA approved medications to equip our patients to regain control of their lives and stop using illicit Opioids.
