Click Here to View and Download the Celebration of Life for Terence T. Gorski
May peace be with you -- always. Terence Thomas Gorski, at the age 71, passed away, Thursday, July 2, 2020 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Terry was born in Chicago, IL and is survived by his children, Terence Joseph Gorski, Nika Marie Gorski and long term friends and colleagues, Tresa Watson, Roland Williams and Arthur Trundy and the many people who are so grateful for the compassion he showed in helping those who suffered from the disease of addiction the past 45 years, truly a legend.
Terry was the founder of The Center for Applied Sciences “CENAPS” in 1982 an addiction training, consultation and research center. Terry was known as the as the pioneer of relapse prevention and developer of The Gorski-CENAPS Model of Recovery and Relapse Prevention. Everyone who knew Terry, knew he committed his life and career to helping anyone who suffered from addiction and mental health disorders.
Terry had a huge impact on the world, as an internationally recognized expert on substance abuse, mental health, violence, and crime. His contributions to relapse prevention and managing chemically dependent offenders allowed many people to be alive today that may have died if not for his work. His work and spirit will carry on far into the future.
Terry was one of the first addiction professionals to stand as an ally with the recovery movement and he urged the behavioral health field to focus on relapse prevention methods and recovery -oriented practices and rightful roles for recovering people. Terry was a special human being. He mentored countless people in recovery, students and professionals. He befriended us with a genuine spirit of kindness, empathy and a true desire for sobriety and recovery. He influenced so many people, practices, policies and systemic structures that helped to move the addiction field forward in understanding, respecting and promoting recovery. He received numerous awards, including his favorite “Icelandic Order of the Falcon” for his Contribution to the Alcohol and Drug Treatment Model used in Iceland, presented to him by the President of Iceland
Terry was known as the "Relapse Prevention Expert " for his lifelong work advocating, teaching, training people suffering from addiction and who live with mental health conditions as well as those that wished to help others.
There is no doubt, we were all blessed to have Terry and his work, he was our treasure. Please remember him by continuing his work, in the work you do. Remember his belief that every person can recover if they have the strength to reach for the beauty and peace of a new tomorrow.
You will be missed, remembered, and loved for as long as your memory lives in those who knew and cared about you. We love you. Rest in peace.