Clark Guest | Living Proof That Addiction Can Be Overcome

CLARK GUEST: RETIRES FROM SLO COUNTY

Living Proof Addiction Can Be Overcome

by Camille DeVaul

For years, Clark Guest struggled with substance abuse. His battle started while in junior college, playing basketball in Fullerton in the early 80s, and didn’t stop until he was thrown into jail for the last time in 1999.

Clark attributes becoming sober to something much bigger than himself, “When I was in jail at that moment, I was able to get on my knees and accept Jesus Christ in my life. On December 1, I have been saved for 22 years, and for 22 years, I have been clean and sober.”

Soon, Clark found his way and was able to put his life back together. For over 18 years, he dedicated his life to helping people manage their substance abuse. Specifically, he worked as the coordinator of the San Luis Obispo County Drug and Alcohol Services Adult Drug Court Program—a treatment program for nonviolent defendants that allows a second chance rather than incarceration.

In November 2021, Clark retired from San Luis Obispo County (SLO) after 15 years and moved to Idaho. The move was something he and his wife Debbie had been planning for years. Originally, he planned to move after 20 years with San Luis Obispo County and retire in Idaho, but earlier this year, they decided why wait.

Clark Guest with his wife Debbie in Haydon Springs, Idaho. Photos by Megan Aufrichtig Hayden Lake Photography He continues, “I’m really enjoying it now. The people are wonderful, the clinics are wonderful. I’ve hit the ball rolling.”

Although Clark has retired from his position in SLO County, he isn’t done helping people recover. He is currently working as a clinical supervisor for the Lake City Counseling Center based in Hayden, Idaho, and overseas programs in Hayden and Post Falls.

In his new position, Clark works on mental health, and substance abuse treatment programs in adults and adolescents, including a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for the Post Falls clinic. Working closely with youth is new for Clark, but he says he’s learning quickly.

It hasn’t taken Clark much time to adjust to his new life, “I’ve got my sights on being able to develop a juvenile drug court program up here. I’ve already identified some gaps, and my new boss Jennifer is amazing, and her husband, Ben. I’m sort of off and running. Doing many of the same things I was doing down there.”

While in SLO County, Clark was known for his ability to understand the real struggles of substance abuse and develop effective programs, “When I became supervisor, I was able to develop programs because I definitely had a knowledge of what works for the people that are suffering.”

Clark’s road to recovery is a well-known one, and for a good reason. He isn’t afraid to share his journey, and he is living proof that addiction can be overcome.

For nearly two decades, Clark lived two lives. Half of him was a star athlete with a full-ride scholarship to Cal Poly and then a firefighter for Vandenburg Air Force Base (VAFB) with top-secret clearance. The other half was committing petty theft crimes to keep up with his drug habits.

His addiction took a turn for the worse after a spring break trip in Mexico. After a night of heavy drinking, Clark’s friend died after falling off a steep cliff. Mexican authorities threw Clark and his friends in jail on murder charges. Thanks to a friend’s family member, Clark was let go and sent back to SLO. Later, Clark dropped out of school and then discovered meth while working at VAFB.

Clark didn’t decide to work on his addiction until he was arrested in 1996 for forging a check at a bank in Arroyo Grande. Stolen property was then discovered on his property. He faced felony charges and up to 30 years behind bars—he pleaded guilty and served six months in jail before finding treatment through the Adult Drug Court.

“The struggle for mental illness and substance abuse is real. Be the light in somebody’s darkness—If I went to prison, I would be dead by now,” says Clark.

When asked which clients stood out to Clark through his years, he says it was “The ones that were severely institutionalized and able to step away and don’t go back to prison or jail and are able to have families. In turn, they get involved with the recovery community and end up helping people that are still struggling.”

Of his time in SLO County, Clark says, “When I was working directly with clients, all the different lives that I was honored to be in touch with and help guide people onto the right track and help step away from the destructive nature of addictions—I was able to leave a legacy behind me with the County, which is really cool.”

Clark fully attributes his recovery to being saved by Christ and looks forward to hopefully sharing that light with others in Idaho, “It [recovery] was hard work but not as hard work as keeping my addiction going, keeping the two different lifestyles going. And that’s one of the first things we tied in up here was finding a good church. We’ve been looking to make this move for a while, and everything just fell into place.” 

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