Author: Richard Beal, Recovering from the Game

Local Author Richard Beal (also known as the Tenderloin's Ambassador for Recovery) speaks about the experience of writing his first book, Recovering From The Game, in which he shares his own and others' experiences with addiction and recovery in San Francisco. Beal will be joined by some of the individuals whose stories are told in Recovering From The Game. 

Recovering From the Game introduces readers to true stories of recovering from the game in San Francisco's Tenderloin district. The people you meet share their experiences with drugs, alcohol, and the criminally addictive lifestyle, and how they eventually found recovery. "G.A.M.E." stands for Good Advice Means Everything, and these individuals give their advice and insights to those experiencing the game, and give hope to their loved ones. Covering topics like moving to San Francisco, being introduced to drugs and the streets, relationships, and then finding strength and hope through recovery, Recovering From The Game offers inspiration and possibility to people who are currently in the game as well as their friends and family. Beal was literally born into the game, and he lived it for twenty years. Today he works as a recovery activist, mentor, life coach, sponsor, husband, and friend.

Beal currently lives in Antioch, but his heart is always in the streets of San Francisco. He has been working in the city for the last twenty-seven years. Beal came to San Francisco in 1985, and lived there struggling with his addiction and homelessness for the next ten years. During his addiction, he was arrested numerous times, first in Richmond, CA, then in Oakland, CA, and he finally landed at San Francisco County Jail. On July 18, 1995, Beal entered Ozanam Detox on 8th & Howard Streets. On July 20, 1995, he entered St. Anthony’s Foundation Rehabilitation Program's Seton Hall in San Francisco, and he has been in recovery ever since.

Today Beal is the Director of Transitional Housing for Tenderloin Housing Clinic. He instituted an annual Recovery Day in Boedekker Park in 2021. Beal is the chairperson of the Direct Action Committee of the San Francisco Reentry Council, and he is an Advanced Certified Relapse Prevention Counselor under CENAPS Corporation. He is also the co-founder of Brothers Against Drug Deaths (BADD). Beal is a sponsor, mentor, life coach, and loving, caring child of God.

Connect:

Richard Beal -- Website | Richard Beal -- Instagram | Richard Beal -- Facebook| Richard Beal -- Youtube | Richard Beal -- X