Obituary: Paul Edward Bowman, recovery advocate

Abstract

Paul Edward Bowman Jr., 58, a treatment and recovery advocate who has often been a source for ADAW, died Nov. 22. A Massachusetts resident, Bowman worked for the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development on housing and homelessness. He retired and went on to become a peer recovery coach for Massachusetts General Hospital, South End Community Health Center and, finally, at the time of his passing, Boston Medical Center. Bowman received the Richard Lane/Robert Holden Patient Advocacy Awardfrom the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence in 2018 (see Christie gives powerful speech at AATOD awards banquet, March 19, 2018; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.31902); spent many hours at dog shows with his Great Dane, Natalie; and drove Nellie the Clydesdale through his beloved Boston. Bowman became a Certified Medication Assisted Treatment Advocate (CMA) with NAMA Recovery, taught CMA classes, served as chapter director of Boston NAMA Recovery, served on the NAMA Recovery Board of Directors and became a peer recovery coach as well as being involved in activities with addiction research, education, decreasing stigma and overdose prevention. Donations in his memory can be made to The Paul Bowman Memorial Fund for Housing Support at Boston Medical Center at http://bmc.convio.net/goto/paul_bowman, and to The Great Dane Rescue of New England at gdrne.org. Bowman's death was due to overdose, yet another sign that nobody is immune. Nobody.