Greetings all,

So I’ve been kicking around the notion of “selling recovery” for quite some time and thought I would introduce it as a topic on my blog, generate discussion and hopefully get some feedback on it.

What are your thoughts on the subject I wonder?  Is it possible for us to help others by making recovery something that people will actually want?  What do people think of when they hear the word “recovery” or “I’m in recovery?”  Do people say, “that’s awesome, I want to be in recovery too,” or do they simply continue along their same path?

We posted as our survey question this month; “people need to hit bottom in order to recover.”  Although we have not received many responses, those we have received are very different.  What makes this so?  If addiction is a disease as we say it is, wouldn’t that suggest the earlier the detection and treatment the better the outcome, or at least the potential for a better outcome?  Why then do so many of us believe that we need to “hit bottom” in order to recover?  If we thought differently perhaps more people would actually recover and even better maybe more people would seek recovery sooner.  How about that for a notion!

Now, I am not suggesting that I have any answers. No, actually it seems that I am posing quite a few questions.  I do have opinions, and yes I have heard that opinions are like *%^#@, everyone has one.  I’m interested in hearing yours.

Please chime in.

Until next time

Peace, Jan

RECOVERY ROCKS               pass it on…

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Greetings all,

It has been some time since I last blogged.  Sorry it has taken so long for me to do so.  I am still getting used to this notion.  I will improve.

I thought this time I would write an update of what we are up to at SpiritWorks these days.

So, things are exciting at SpiritWorks.  We recently entered into a contract with the Colonial Services Board to provide Recovery Support Services for more people in the community.  We hired a full time Recovery Support Specialist to support the growth in our program services.  We hosted a movie event to honor and celebrate Children of Alcoholics Week and we held a rocking Super Bowl Party.

We have also expanded our services with the Children’s Program (CFAR) and have a W&M graduate student working with children at risk in groups and individually.  His presence is very exciting as we are also developing a Summer Camp to augment the program.

We are now offering regular workshops, Yoga, Mandala Journaling, and Awakenings, to mention a few and are pleased to be able to do so.  We continue to offer space at the Recovery Center for outside meetings and groups.  It is a wonderful way to deepen our presence in the larger community and allow others to get to experience the Center in a non-threatening way.  Many people wonder what we do at the center.  We, of course, know that everyone knows someone with this disease.  It is a win-win for everyone.  Please check the Web site for specific dates and additional information, www.spiritworksfoundation.org.

That’s all I’ve got for now.  Thanks for taking a few minutes to catch up with us.  It’s great to have an audience.

Until next time,

Take care.

Peace, Jan

I often hear talk that there is no cure for addiction.  Through the years I myself have said those very words, and while I believe that to be true in this moment, I am today wondering, HOW COME?

HOW COME we have not advanced to the stage where there is at least some wondering or questioning around the issue?  Are we content in our knowledge that there is not cure for this disease?  And, if so why?

Is there anyone out there looking for a cure?  I “googled” that very notion, “cure addiction” and got no real hits.  I also “googled” Alzheimer’s’ cure, Parkinson’s cure, diabetes cure and AIDS cure.  Each of those resulted in information and organization Web sites that are doing research on finding a cure.

So, what is it about the disease of addiction that we are comfortable with knowing that there is no cure and not caring enough, willing or even believing to demand that we look for one?

I for one am ready to demand that we begin to look.  And, although it might not come about during my lifetime, I am willing to do my part and be a part of the solution.

So, what about you?  Where do you stand on finding the cure to addiction?  Are you willing to advance this issue?

Let’s talk about it.  I’d love to hear what you think.

Peace, Jan

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So last week I was watching the TODAY show and the third or fourth item in was the relapse of a Kennedy, Joan Kennedy, to be exact, and how she was found lying in the street.

My question is how many of you knew that Joan Kennedy was sober in the first place?  I for one did not.  It is difficult for me to understand why it is such big news when someone relapses or goes into treatment again and we hear nothing about how someone is doing living in recovery.  To me it reinforces the stigma and shame associated with the disease and the belief that people really don’t ever recover.

It is sad to say that I can name more celebrities and famous people who are practicing alcoholics and addicts that I can celebrities and famous people who are in recovery.  What an incredible commentary that is.  So, how do we make that different?  Do we really want to make it different?  I for one do, there is something about knowing that I am not alone, the hope that I get from knowing that there are others who are in recovery inspires me to stay on course.  I would imagine it does so for others as well.

For the past few months SpiritWorks polled with the question, do you think it’s important for people in recovery to be open about their addiction?  We only received a few responses to the question; the majority of the responses were yes, only one said no.  What are your thoughts on the subject?  Are the shame and guilt, stigma and discrimination that prevail in our society associated with our secrecy about our illness and recovery?  And, if so who among us is willing to be open about living in recovery?  Is there a champion or celebrity in recovery who will come forward as a spokesperson or role model for others to follow?

We need your help, I need your help.  All of us need to have role models and heroes to look up to.  I for one do.  I need to be inspired to be like so and so, to be able to point out to others and say there is a person who is successful that is living in recovery and chooses not to drink or do drugs, to be able to affirm that if he or she can do it so can I.

There are plenty of other famous people and celebrities who are open about living with cancer, or AIDS, or diabetes, or depression or…  Where are our spokespeople?  Who among us is willing to step up?

Please contact me, whoever you are, for further discussion about the topic or if you want to be among the champions.

Thanks.

Until next time,

Peace, Jan

Greetings,

I am compelled to write and say thank you for the incredible response of kindness you have shown because of Tyler’s story.  While it has not generated an overwhelming amount of donations, it has helped people really take notice of what we do at SpiritWorks.  I hope that throughout the year we will write with equally powerful stories about the amazing people we get to work with.

As you can probably tell from the letter, Tyler’s story really touched me.  He remains the sweet little boy described in the story.  I was with him last night as his father was here for Recovery Support Services. Once again I was brought up short, just being with him reminds me of the incredible gift that we give to ourselves when we choose to live in recovery.  His innocence and gentleness of Spirit are wonderful.  For today, we have helped break the intergenerational cycle of addiction in his family.

I am truly grateful.

I am even more grateful to those of you who were also moved.  I have gotten several email comments, phone calls about the story, a few donations and a lot of good wishes to keep it our great work.

It’s times like these that I remember how important the work that we do is.  It really does matter and makes a huge difference in the lives of people we work with.

An early way to honor Thanksgiving, and an awesome way to say thanks.

Until next time,

Peace, Jan

Greetings all,

I am coming at you much quicker than I have in the past.  I made a commitment to blog more frequently so you will hear from me at intervals that are more regular.  I need your help though because right now I am having a mostly one-sided conversation.  It would be helpful if some of you would write a response based on what you read in my entry.  I have never met an alcoholic or addict with a shortage of opinions, this is your opportunity to express yours.

So, with that as an introduction I want to talk about the notion of harm reduction and its relationship to recovery.  I was in a meeting earlier this evening and it came up as a topic.  I personally don’t have much experience with harm reduction.  I grew up with abstinence being the expectation so harm reduction as a goal is foreign to me.  The question that comes up for me is, are you in recovery if you are still using, even if yes, you are reducing your harm in the process?  I hear talk of medication assisted recovery, moderation management, buprenorphine treatment, not to mention methadone maintenance and some of the others.  I also know of people who no longer use their drug of choice, but can “drink safely”.  Are they in recovery, and who gets to decide anyway? 

People who drink O’Doul’s, and some of the other “non alcoholic” beers are they in recovery?  What about “episodic recovery” i.e. those who have periods of abstinence and then relapse repeatedly)?

Someone very close to me is currently unable to remain alcohol free, he has an identified drinking problem.  He quits for a while and then returns to drinking again.  Each time he stops drinking he either has DT’s or seizures.  He has not been able to remain alcohol free for any substantial period.  Is abstinence a realistic goal for him or might harm reduction be a more appropriate answer?  How will I look at him knowing that I chose abstinence and he did not?  Will I think of him as living in recovery?

I don’t claim to know the answers to the questions, I believe that everyone who seeks medical care deserves to get it.  I also believe that addiction and recovery are social justice issues and not criminal issues.  More than that, I really don’t know.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Does harm reduction cloud the issue of recovery?  Can the two coexist or are they opposing concepts?  How might we be able to include everyone in our system of care?

Let’s talk.

Peace, Jan

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