Addict II Athlete: Washington City woman overcomes addiction, loss, jail and cancer to reclaim her life
Judy Berrocal smiles for the camera with her daughter and grandson location and date not specified.
Written by Jessi Bang Apr 18, 2025 St. George News Article
She lost two children, cycled through jail and survived breast cancer — now, 13 years sober, this Washington City woman is turning her pain into purpose.
“I kept going down that negative path, looking for validation in other people and chasing acceptance wherever I could find it,” Judy Berrocal told St. George News. “And using made that easy.”
Berrocal recalled her battle with addiction, which started at 10 years old when she began drinking and using marijuana. By 13, meth had entered her life. She then faced a series of traumatic experiences while growing up in Utah County, she said, including sexual abuse, that shaped the path she would one day fight to overcome.
She entered the legal system as a teen, landing in juvenile detention and then a group home, where she turned 18. At 19, she became pregnant and gave birth at 20. She married her child’s father, an emotionally and physically abusive relationship lasted 13 years, she said. Though she stayed sober during her first two pregnancies, she said she used again during her third.
Judy Berrocal's three children are pictured with her sister, location and date not specified.
“With our last child, our little boy, he was born in 2004, and in 2006, he passed away because I accidentally backed over him,” she said.
Berrocal said the incident happened while the family was camping at Mirror Lake. She said she hadn’t used drugs or alcohol yet that day, and no charges were filed. What followed over the next five years was a blur. The Utah Department of Child and Family Services removed her oldest daughter from her care, and she said any ambition she had to hold her life together slipped away.
“Of course, our lives had been turned upside down,” she said. “It was really, really hard to believe in anything, especially myself.”
Berrocal’s middle child was born with a disability caused by a chromosomal deletion. When the child was 3 years old, Berrocal and her husband placed her in a care facility. As Berrocal cycled in and out of jail, her mother took custody of her other daughter.
Even after she regained custody, Berrocal said she was still using drugs and alcohol. In 2009, after her husband slapped her, she said she made the decision to walk away, though she left her daughter behind and continued using drugs.
A collection of photos captures Judy Berrocal’s journey from her time in addiction through her transformation in recovery.
Two years later, after accumulating more criminal charges, she was accepted into a last chance probation drug court, a program that required individuals to be on probation with violations and prison recommendations. This was her last chance and her first time in treatment after 23 years of substance use.
She said she continued getting in trouble with old friends and being kicked out of group sessions. Her therapist, Blu Robinson, founder of Addict II Athlete, suggested she attend one of their meetings. She ended up volunteering to help create a parade float for two weeks, which introduced her to a positive group of friends who ultimately saved her life, she said, adding that she has been sober since Dec. 9, 2011.
“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Addict II Athlete,” she said. “It changed my life. I created bonds with friends and support with people who were like-minded and got what I was going through. I didn't have to hide parts of me.”
Addict II Athlete is a support group for anyone affected by addiction, including parents, siblings, children and loved ones. Meetings for individuals under 18 are called the "Minor League," and everyone is encouraged to participate in service projects and sports activities.
A group of individuals in addiction recovery pose for a photo while representing Addict II Athlete at a community race, St. George, Utah, date not specified.
After graduating from drug court, Berrocal said she felt there was more to her journey. She began studying to become a substance abuse counselor and interned at Steps Recovery in Payson, later working at a methadone clinic in Orem.
While assisting at an Addict II Athlete meeting in St. George, she learned that Lions Gate Recovery was hiring, a place owned by individuals with whom she had previously worked. She said she submitted her resume and started in October 2018. By May 2019, she had transitioned to their Toquerville location, where she now serves as clinical program manager in residential treatment.
But Berrocal's journey didn’t end there. In May 2022, a routine mammogram revealed she had breast cancer. Six days later, her middle child died. Despite these challenges, she continued to lead the annual Aaron Navarro Memorial Tournament, an event that brings together 70 teams of recovering addicts from across the nation.
“It was amazing,” she said. “Out of 200 people, the tournament started with them walking in white shirts with pink boxing gloves that said ‘Your fight is our fight.’ Recovery has brought me this kind of support. You think no one will show up for you, and then you have people pull together without you even knowing.”
Judy Berrocal enjoys the outdoors while wearing Addict II Athlete apparel, location and date not specified.
In September of that year, she underwent a double mastectomy. Three weeks later, she started 12 weeks of chemotherapy, followed by five weeks of radiation. Finally, after reaching the two-year mark, her oncologist informed her that she could now transition to six-month appointments.
Berrocal continues to coach for Addict II Athlete and said she is excited about the annual unity draft, which will be held Saturday, April 19, at The Canyons Softball Complex in St. George. Individuals in recovery register to play and are randomly placed on teams that compete against one another, though there are no winners. The focus is on coming together to have fun, play and build fellowship.
The games will kick off at 8 a.m. and run until noon, with a break for a speaker, pizza and raffles. Play will resume from 1-6 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend, watch the games and meet the players. This year, there are 10 teams, each with 13 to 14 players.
“That’s 130 to 140 people in recovery coming to literally fellowship and play ball and not worry about what the scoreboard says,” she said. “A big thing with Addict II Athlete is that your worth is not valued on the scoreboard; it’s how you play the game. And we get to hold our heads high and fellowship with all levels.”
A group of softball players in addiction recovery pose for a photo while representing Addict II Athlete, location and date not specified.
For those in active addiction, Berrocal said she understands how the disease can convince individuals to hold back and isolate.
She shared this advice: "Just show up. No matter what’s going on, show up wherever you know help is available, whether it’s a 12-step meeting, Addict II Athlete or a treatment center — you won’t be turned away. That first step is the beginning of a life-changing journey."
About Addict II Athlete
Addict II Athlete is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations and funding to sustain its programs. Contributions help cover costs like reserving courts for weekly meetings, providing new athletes in recovery with the equipment they need to participate and supporting other essential services.
Weekly meetings take place on Wednesdays at Vernon Worthen Park in summer and the St. George Branch Library in winter. Each 45-minute session uses sports metaphors to explore recovery and is followed by a game like pickleball. The organization also leads a monthly service project in partnership with St. George. To get involved, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
Read original article from the St. George News