Richard Bedosky: Providing Peer Support in the Journey of Recovery

By. Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart

Changing careers in your 50s can be a daunting experience. But, when change is fueled by the desire to help others, the worries somehow seem to lessen. For Rich Bedosky Jr. (CHDC ’24), the decision to pursue a new career as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) came from his personal belief in the power of rehabilitation. Wearing his own recovery as a badge of honor, Bedosky empathetically offers his professional and personal support to those struggling with substance use.

Born and raised in the Southern Tier, Bedosky was the oldest child of a close-knit family. He spent his youth accompanying his parents as they pursued their unique passion projects – aviation, travel, and property development. His father, Dr. Richard Bedosky Sr., was a local general dentist with an eye for real estate. Instead of tackling his side business ventures alone, Dr. Bedosky made it a family affair, inviting his wife, Jane, and three children along for every step of the process. Together, they purchased land, vetted franchises, and managed their properties. 

After graduating from Binghamton High School, Bedosky earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Ithaca College. The day after his college graduation, he officially joined the family business, though technically, Bedosky had been an integral part of his father’s team since boyhood. 

Like his father, Bedosky had a knack for property development and customer service, and with his help, the family’s portfolio expanded to include restaurants, hotels, and a variety of service businesses. In addition to inheriting his father’s work ethic, the father-son duo shared a love of flying, frequently teaming up as pilot and copilot on trips all across the nation. But life is a series of hills and valleys. 

“Great success can also include great failure,” Bedosky reflected. “Through a combination of a biological predisposition, personal stressors, and professional stressors, I stumbled into the world of addiction.” 

Addiction, by nature, is a progressive disease that can impact every facet of someone’s mental health, physical health, and quality of life. But even in his darkest states, Bedosky ardently craved sobriety. He made multiple attempts to tackle his substance use disorder (SUD) through inpatient and outpatient programs. While “rock bottom” has a different definition for everyone, Bedoksy’s lowest low came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through an unbelievable amount of strength, self-reflection, and professional support, he achieved sobriety. 

“I spent a large portion of my life feeling like my battle with substance use disorder was simply a personal weakness or coping mechanism on my part,” Bedosky explained. “But what so many people still don’t understand is that mild, moderate, and severe substance use is a disease, just like diabetes or cancer. Unfortunately, there is still a massive stigma surrounding it.”

With a clear mind and a healthy body, Bedosky began to reevaluate his life’s purpose. Driven by the dual desire to find deeper professional fulfillment and to give back to his community, Bedosky hoped to reenter the world of substance use disorders, but this time, as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. Bedosky was pleasantly surprised to find that he wouldn’t have to leave the area to pursue his certification, as his community’s college offered both a certificate and an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Chemical Dependency Counseling. With a bachelor’s degree already under his belt, the certificate was an ideal option. 

For Bedosky, deciding to return to college as a non-traditional student included an added layer of hesitation. He questioned whether his studies would help to keep him sober, or expose him to the triggers that he had just spent years trying to overcome. With cautious optimism, he decided to enroll. 

Within his first week on campus, Bedosky knew he had made the right decision. Each class provided him with equal amounts of academic and clinical knowledge, as well as personal epiphanies. Suddenly, the past few decades all made sense. 

“The first time that I went to college, it was essentially a social experiment,” Bedosky admitted. “Now, here I was, back in the classroom in my 50s, reading and studying more than I ever had in my entire life. But I loved every minute of it. There is power in keeping your brain going, especially when the result of your studying means that you can help other people.” 

In addition to completing courses like Pharmacology and Chemical Dependency, Family Issues in Chemical Dependency, and Psychology of Addiction, the program also requires students to amass up to 300 hours of an approved, supervised clinical internship. Deeply inspired by faculty members like Dr. Kristen J. Ericksen-Hrehor, Kristin Oliver, and Justin Lynady (HSCD ’12), Bedosky wanted nothing more than to emulate their impact as direct service clinicians. For his practicum, Bedosky was connected to Helio Health, a comprehensive rehabilitation center dedicated to transforming the lives of those struggling with substance use and mental health disorders.

The team of counselors at Helio Health immediately embraced Bedosky, taking him under their wing and answering his self-described “constant questions.” Through his hands-on internship, Bedosky soon began conducting risk assessments, preparing resource referrals, and meeting with clients in individual and group settings. He made a concerted effort to observe his fellow counselors in action, noting their different nuances and counseling styles. 

“As counselors, we study the cycles of addiction, but I have the added benefit of understanding these experiences firsthand,” Bedosky said, “When clients talk about losing their careers, their homes, their health, and their families, I have a voice in the back of my head saying, ‘been there, done that.’ I’m very cautious about if, when, and how I share my story with clients. Still, I do think that there is value in letting them know that addiction does not discriminate and that I can relate to their experiences on a very personal level.” 

In 2024, Bedosky completed the chemical dependency counseling certificate and joined his colleagues at Helio Health as a Counselor 1. 

The next step in Bedosky’s journey includes earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) in hopes of one day becoming a private counselor. For now, he is honored to hone his skills at Helio Health, supporting each client’s path to sobriety from a place of compassion and sincerity. 

When asked for advice on how loved ones can support a family member or friend through their sobriety journey, Bedosky had a short but hopeful message:

“Please don’t throw them – us – away. We do have value, I promise.” 

Are you looking for a way to serve your community? Consider a career as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. Learn more about SUNY Broome’s Chemical Dependency Counseling programs and scholarships: Chemical Dependency Counseling A.A.S. Scholarships

Tags: Alumni, Chemical Dependency Counseling AAS and Cert, Liberal Arts Division, Profile