"I've wanted to meet you for a long time," the businessman told me. "Your organization has an excellent reputation in the community. You've helped change a lot of lives."

He went on giving compliments for so long that it became almost uncomfortable. For some reason it's easier to hear criticism of - rather than good things about - our organization. Yet, I know the positive things he said were well-deserved. He's worked for years with people in recovery and has himself been sober for over 25 years. His experience in the recovery community has brought him into contact with many of our clients. In fact, some them are rehabilitating properties this man manages.

It is refreshing when those in the community appreciate what we do, especially against the backdrop of our history. Over the years a lot of energy has gone to defending our work in the community. Often government entities - and those who don't have problems with addiction - spend time attacking us. They somehow think we’re the problem, as opposed to being part of the solution. At the moment we're involved in negotiations with state government in Nevada because their laws require more oversight of recovering people than do the laws of Arizona.

In 1998 we were involved in a Federal lawsuit against the city of Mesa, Arizona that lasted five years. It began after the City Council passed laws banning TLC from operating in the downtown overlay, along with other laws that would have closed us down. The case wound through Federal courts for some five years. In 2003 it was settled, and the city paid a third of our legal fees and changed three laws. However, it was a Pyrrhic victory, one that cost a lot of money and psychic energy. In these kind of situations it never feels like we win.

So when we encounter business people in the community who appreciate what we do to help alcoholics and addicts change their lives we're grateful.