With Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Social Work, a leadership position at a nonprofit close to her heart, outreach and engagement skills people would envy, a loving husband, and a positive outlook every day, one would think Susan Long, LSW & LCADC, 45, has had the trajectory of her life planned since childhood.

However, growing up was much different. Susan had a rocky home life. School was never her focus. She yearned to be sociable, accepted by peers, and funny, but she suffered from ADHD and
unbearable anxiety. To cope, Susan reached for her first alcoholic beverage at age 12. As her teenage years evolved, substance use progressed – pills, acid, meth, opiates, and cocaine. Her life would
spiral for more than 20 years.

Fast forward to a sweltering Las Vegas day and Susan, who followed her boyfriend to sin city, is jockeying between living in a car, motel, streets, and casinos, while trying to feed her addiction. At 83 pounds, missing teeth, and with her hair falling out, she felt like she was repeatedly living Groundhog Day. She tried rehab twice – never staying long enough or losing insurance coverage for extended periods – to see positive results. “I didn’t know that I was the problem. I didn’t see the insanity that my life had become. I had no idea how to be honest, be capable of healthy relationships or life altogether with or without drugs,” said Susan.

Then, on November 16, 2013, Susan’s life changed for the better. Her former husband, who had a law enforcement background, flew to Las Vegas determined to find her. He canvassed the streets, put up fliers, showed her photograph to strangers, and finally found and convinced her to return to New Jersey.

As Susan shared, “I wanted to walk into traffic every day and end my life. I was terrified of living and terrified of dying. I had to rip the band aid off of my huge wounds, take responsibility for my  life, and accept help.”

Her initial stop was the Atlantic County Board of Social Services who recommended Jewish Family Service and Atlantic Homeless Alliance since Susan was looking for multiple aspects of  assistance including a more permanent housing situation than staying at a friend’s home. She was assigned Atlantic Homeless Alliance Case Managers who were compassionate and caring as they worked with Susan to get emergency assistance – birth certificate, identification, food stamps, and temporary housing. Susan was also assigned a JFS Social Worker who performed a substance use disorder assessment and was able to get her into an intensive outpatient program at AtlantiCare Behavioral Health. Her caseworkers continued to meet with Susan for nearly a year so her integration back into a “normal” life would be seamless and not cause anxiety.

At 15-months sober, Susan got her first job as a Recovery Tech and Counselor Intern. She used her professional knowledge garnered there, coupled with her life experiences, to apply for a job at JFS after being encouraged by her friend. JFS got her on the right path for personal and professional success and she hoped to have the same impact on other clients. From 2017 through 2020, Susan served as a JFS Project Assistance Transition from Homelessness (PATH) outreach case manager. “I loved helping people. When they would say, ‘you don’t understand,’ I told them I do understand and shared my background,” she said. “I believe it gave them a sense of comfort that I would never judge them and would always be there.” In 2019, Susan was promoted to AHA Supervisor, the very same place where she found supportive services.

Sober for more than 10 years, Susan is now the President of Angels in Motion (AIM), a grassroots organization dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs), homelessness, and mental health challenges through a holistic and compassionate approach. With the mission to “meet people where they are,” AIM places a strong emphasis on dignity, respect, and the removal of barriers to recovery.

Moreover, her positive influence continues to this day. At a resource fair, Susan met James who was living in a condemned building in Atlantic City, did not have any identification, health  insurance, social service benefits, and struggled from a literacy disability. As James shared, “I consider Susan a super social worker. She’s empathic and has patiently worked with me. Now, I have a safe place to live, proper ID, health insurance, eyeglasses, a volunteer commitment at Angels in Motion, and stronger reading skills. She is a blessing to me.”

In her spare time, Susan enjoys reading, flower gardening, rescuing cats, and participating in Sisterhood Satsang women’s recovery yoga on Friday nights at The Leadership Studio.