Back2Basics Voices of Recovery: A Passion for Glass Art, a Center for Recovery

Before Robert Lewis was a behavioral health technician at Back2Basics helping others in recovery and before he was a glass artist working with Flagstaff’s premier glass artist, he was in his mother’s house with one last chance to quit heroin, a substance-use disorder he had had since he was a teenager. 

“I had been through multiple rehab programs and when my mom found Back2Basics; we both knew this was my last chance to get sober,” said Lewis. “My mom gave me a backpack with my stuff and sent me to Flagstaff.”

Before joining Back2Basics, Lewis was frequently in and out of rehab programs. He participated in multiple outpatient programs, at least five inpatient programs and occasionally transitional living. He would quickly relapse after finishing rehab and be hospitalized multiple times in the months leading up to his arrival at Back2Basics. 

After graduating from Back2Basics’ year-long program, Lewis can confidently state that it taught him the skills to stick with sobriety. He credits Back2Basic’s emphasis on outdoor adventure therapy and community for helping him sustain sobriety when other programs couldn’t.

“Outdoor adventure therapy turned me into someone who can be disciplined when facing discomfort,” Lewis said. “However, the biggest thing is the program’s sense of community and accountability. Multiple AA meetings and group therapy with the same guys created a sense of camaraderie that I never got at other facilities.” 

He went on to say that the six months in treatment and six months in the transition program helped build him up in ways a one-month inpatient program never could. 

The six-month transition period allowed Lewis to pursue his passion for glass art once again. He developed this passion while working in a warehouse in Seattle with Glassybaby, a glass candle holder manufacturer. 

“I used to make deliveries to glass studios and the work captivated me,” he said. “I paid for classes on the side, got my first entry-level glass-blowing job and never looked back.”

When he entered the Back2Basics program, Lewis had to put glassblowing on the backburner, a sacrifice that almost made him quit the program. 

“Glassblowing is always on my mind, and not being able to fulfill my passion for months was an anxiety-inducing experience. I almost quit the program just to find a place to do glass art. I am happy I didn’t go through with it.”

When Lewis graduated from the program, the first thing he did was find a place to blow glass. That search led him to Fire on the Mountain Gallery, a glass art gallery owned by Flagstaff Glass artist George and Holly Averbeck. 

Lewis got a job on the spot because of his nine years of experience professionally making glass art. He works in the studio, helping Averbeck with his art and features his own glass art in the gallery. 

“I really can’t thank Holly and George enough for letting me work in their studio,” Lewis said. “They have been so generous in helping me work on my craft here in Flagstaff.” 

Glass art is a centering activity for Lewis, a way to keep his mind busy and productive when the challenges and stresses of recovery pop up.

“Glass art is a creative outlet that helps me manage stress in my own life. Glass centers me because it takes all of my focus and is a productive and rewarding distraction from the outside world. When I don’t blow glass, I feel like I am in withdrawal, and it is an amazing feeling to have a productive passion like that.”

When Lewis is not doing glass art, he is at Back2Basics helping guide others through recovery as a behavioral health technician and mentor. Lewis wanted to thank Back2Basics Clinical Director Natalie Randolph and his mother, who helped him through the recovery process and supported his glasswork. FBN

By Roy DuPrez

Roy DuPrez, M.Ed., is the CEO and founder of Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery in Flagstaff. DuPrez received his B.S. and M.Ed. from Northern Arizona University. Back2Basics helps young men, ages 18 to 35, recover from addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Back2Basics is an adventure recovery program, up to six months, for young adult males ages 18-30 with substance abuse issues looking for a positive and meaningful life. In our program, clients are exposed to a weekly combination of both wilderness adventures and residential programming. For more information, visit back2basicsoutdooradventures.com, call 928-814-2220 or email rduprez@b2badventures.com.

Courtesy Photo: Robert Lewis calls glass art “a centering activity” and a productive way to keep his mind busy and focused.