Sean Gartrell, CPFS
Director of Training
Sean was born…and he never really got over that, but therapy helps. When he was young, he started using drugs and alcohol and that helped, until it didn’t. In 2011 Sean stopped using drugs and that was nice, but it took a few more years before he was ready to get honest about the unhealthy relationship he had with alcohol. In 2015 he decided it was time to quit drinking and Sean went to treatment, got involved with a couple different mutual support groups, and by 2016 was able to get serious about quitting drinking. Sean worked in treatment before finding the amazing peer recovery support services at AFRC.
In his previous career, Sean established himself as a trainer at the national level.
Today, Sean proudly identifies as a person living in active and sustained recovery and serves as the Director of Training with Advocates for Recovery Colorado. Sean holds the Colorado Peer & Family Specialist (CPFS) certification.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut. I still want to be an astronaut.
What is your favorite song? Ugh, I guess it really depends on my mood. If I am feeling down some Elliot Smith usually helps. The Replacements are always good. If I were sailing a yacht in the Caribbean some Steely Dan would be nice.
Have you sailed a yacht in the Caribbean? No, but I hear you gotta watch out for the Bermuda Triangle. Did I mention I wanted to be an astronaut, there’s no Bermuda Triangle in space.
