By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
When Stacie Ledford went to jail about a decade ago, she never dreamed the lowest point in her life would be the start of something important. Yet when Ledford found herself at “rock bottom” she chose that as the name of the group she founded in Jan. 2017. Rock Bottom Recovery and Support is the focus of this week’s non-profit series, which is fitting because September is also National Recovery Month.
Since it began almost nine years ago, RBRS has been busy with everything from weekly meetings to a jail ministry and more. The group obtained official 501c3 non-profit status in May 2018, and has a strong board, as well as a junior board comprised of local high school students.
Rock Bottom Recovery and Support meets from 7-8 p.m. every Monday at the Clay County Senior Center, 196 Ritter Road in Hayesville. Everyone is welcome, including people working on their recovery, those in active addiction and those with loved ones battling addiction, also known as substance use disorder.
RBRS recently began collecting data about how many people they have helped over the last eight and a half years. “Landon Trout, president of the junior board came up with this idea so we can become an evidence-based program,” Ledford explained. “We have been working diligently over the last month to create a spreadsheet and charts for each county we serve so we can have statistics.
So far, the numbers they have from Jan. 1, 2023, to September 12 of 2025 shows 254 people have been helped. “That’s just with me working with them, not other board members,” Ledford said. “This means we have probably helped a couple of thousand people over the years.”
This is the breakdown for those Ledford has helped for that nine month period:
• 28 percent of people with opiate use disorder and fentanyl.
• 22 percent with alcohol use disorder.
• 15 percent with stimulant use disorder.
• One percent prescription use disorder.
• Two percent alcohol use disorder and mental health.
In a Clay County Progress article several years ago, Ledford shared her story. Even she had tried alcohol in her teen years and college, her substance use disorder came to her later in life. In 2014, the middle class wife and mom, who stayed home part-time, began drinking after work. Then she started drinking at work and was fired.
She spiraled downward from there, sharing how hopeless she felt after being charged and convicted of assault on government official and resisting public officer. Not long before the conviction, she had overdosed on Xanax. "The arrest was my rock bottom. You would think the overdose was, but it wasn't," she said.
However, during the 33 days Ledford called the Clay County Detention Center home, she received compassion and encouragement from sheriff's office employees Lt. Krystal Ledford and Rita Chastain.” Lt. Krystal Ledford spoke life to me when I was incarcerated. She told me I had potential. At that time, I couldn't understand how someone could see potential in me. She gave me hope,” Ledford said in that article. “Rita Chastain as well told me I didn't belong there.”
The hope they offered her inspired Ledford to start the program which has helped so many others. "The guilt and shame was overwhelming," she said. "I was just done. I was ready to be a clean and sober mom and wife. An addict has to want help. I wanted it."
With the encouragement of the women at the jail and her pastor, Stacie turned her life around. "My preacher, Tina Underwood, came to see me every time I had visitation. She told me I would not walk alone. She gave me hope and it grounded me deeper in my faith. I always had a faith in God, but didn't feel worthy enough that he would forgive me. My preacher helped me with those negative thoughts. "As they say in the Rock Bottom Recovery and Support Group — ‘there is hope,'" she smiled.
Rock Bottom Recovery and Support is hosting a free community cookout starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 in front of Nantahala Bank. They will serve hot dogs, chips, and a drink until they run out. The hot dogs were donated by Matt’s Ministry. The food is free, but donations are accepted. RBRS T-shirts will also be sold. Possibly most important, Narcan will be available.
“It is so important, this work we do, because addiction has affected so many in Clay County alone,” Stacie added. “We want people to see us and understand that we are here to make our corner of the world a little better.”
She ended with her favorite quote, which is by former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Tax deductible donations may be sent to RBRS, 182 West Vineyard, Hayesville, N.C. 28904. Also, join and follow Rock Bottom Recovery and Support on Facebook.