I’m Jeff Ryan a family physician currently living outside of Tampa in Valrico, Florida.  Is the doctor in? It was a nice turn of phrase for beginning a blog, but the answer is yes and no. I’m not currently practicing as a physician (and by the way I won’t be doing anything resembling medical practice in this column or elsewhere for the time being). My career arose out of volunteer work in San Francisco in the 1980s, leading to medical school and residency in Ohio in the 1990s, then followed by medical practice in New York.  That practice – and my life - hit a hard pause a couple of years ago. Sort of a good news bad news situation. The good news?  The doctor is in recovery.

My recovery journey prompted my trip to Tampa, Florida for rehab in late May of 2019. What was supposed to be a stay of weeks to months ended up as an indefinite stay. It was “Dr. D” (Rick Davila) who recommended and arranged for my first Florida rehab at 7 Summit Pathways. He picked me up from the airport and took me there. He has continued to be a key support and friend to me and is the reason for my affiliation with Recovery4All.

With my medical career on hold, and still in early recovery, my creative energy has taken on new meaning, and one form has been writing. I’ve begun a personal blog at the start of this new year at TheDoctorIsInRecovery.com.  I was asked by Rick to contribute regularly here under the moniker #DocInRecovery Blog.

This blog will be a collaboration between myself and Rick on topics relevant to recovery, and specifically multiple pathways to recovery. The name Recovery4All inspires me to communicate about the disease of addiction, recovery, and the world around us, and in as inclusive of a manner as possible.  I welcome the opportunity to be part of the conversation here on Recovery4All, and with each of you who want a seat at the table.