Substance use disorders (SUDs) are among several health conditions that have been identified by the CDC as increasing a person’s risk for becoming severely ill from COVID-19. For this reason, it is especially important that people who use or are addicted to drugs become vaccinated. Because people with a history of experiencing stigma from the healthcare system due to an addiction may be hesitant, community leaders, healthcare providers, and others in the community must play a role in encouraging and facilitating vaccination for people with drug problems.

The increased risks of COVID-19 infection to people with SUD have been established by a growing amount of data: In an analysis of electronic health records of 73 million patients at U.S. hospitals, my colleagues and I found that people with SUDs, especially recent diagnoses, were at much higher risk than other people of having COVID-19 or suffering its worst outcomes; this was especially true for Black people. Studies in Korea and New York City found similar associations between SUDs and vulnerability to COVID-19, as did an analysis of data from 54,529 patients by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. Those researchers also suggested that chronic cardiovascular or respiratory conditions related to substance use may mediate this higher vulnerability.

Anyone over 12 years of age in the U.S. is now eligible to become vaccinated. Critically, people cannot be denied vaccination because of underlying health conditions, including substance use or a substance use disorder. Communities and health systems everywhere in the country are providing the vaccines free of charge, regardless of one’s immigration status or whether one has health insurance. Recipients cannot even be charged for the office visit, or any other fee. All three of the FDA-approved vaccines are considered equally effective and safe.

However, fears around vaccines, distrust of the government and the pharmaceutical industry, and misinformation are preventing many people from taking the potentially life-saving measure of getting vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy could be especially a problem for people who may have experienced a history of mistreatment by healthcare for their drug use.

A survey conducted last year by the Addiction Policy Forum (APF) found that almost half of their sample of people affected by substance use disorders (actively using drugs, in treatment, or in recovery) expressed unwillingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Reasons cited by respondents included distrust of the government, wariness about the rapidity with which vaccines were being developed, and skepticism that they were at higher risk.

Respondents in the APF survey also said, however, that they trust their own doctor more than any other individual when it comes to making healthcare decisions, which is consistent with other surveys showing that people trust the most their healthcare providers for information on COVID-19 and vaccinations. It means that, as trusted messengers, health professionals are in the best position to help persuade patients of the safety of the vaccines and of the many important benefits of becoming vaccinated.

There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are less safe or effective for people who use substances, people who have SUDs, or people who are receiving medications to treat addiction. And for these individuals, the benefits go well beyond reducing the risk of contracting or experiencing the worst effects from COVID-19. Importantly, vaccination enables safely gathering with others again. Isolation is a risk factor for relapse to drug use, and recovery groups have had to suspend in-person meetings this past year.  For some, virtual meetings have been a lifeline; for others, they are not an adequate substitute for face-to-face interactions and may not even possible. Thus, for people with addiction and perhaps other mental health conditions like depression or anxiety that have been exacerbated by the stress of isolation, vaccination will bring a return to normalcy, including greater access to social supports.

People who use drugs also need not have privacy concerns when obtaining a vaccine for fear of having to disclose past or present drug use. Providers administering COVID-19 vaccine will not ask about your substance use. Recipients will not need to disclose information about medical history, other than known allergies to vaccines or immune- or blood-related conditions potentially relevant to receiving a vaccine. The pre-vaccination screening form issued by the CDC can be downloaded.

Healthcare providers, pharmacies, treatment centers, and others who are part of the vaccine-dispensing effort should prioritize trying to reach people in their community who use drugs. Opioid treatment programs and syringe-services programs, for example, should also make vaccines available at their facilities. Walk-in vaccination clinics are now available in some locations to serve people with complicated schedules and housing situations.

Some of the innovative strategies implemented during the pandemic to deliver addiction treatment and medications to people with substance use disorders, such as mobile vans dispensing medications for opioid use disorder, could be leveraged to provide COVID-19 vaccines as well. Telehealth modalities increasingly used for medication management can be used to inform and encourage patients to get vaccinated. Treatment centers and other providers can also contact their patients via text message. With funding from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts, APF has established a Vaccine Navigator to help people with drug problems navigate local vaccine scheduling complexities and to address any concerns they may have about getting vaccinated.

For more information about vaccines, how they were developed, and the importance of becoming vaccinated, see the APF video I recorded with Dr. Fauci.

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8 Reasons Socializing Sober is Better

By Kelly Fitzgerald  from www.thefix.com 

When you’re used to taking shots before any social interaction, it feels weird when you show up anywhere sober. But I learned that it’s actually better this way.

Let’s face it, socializing is something that is historically associated with alcohol. If you’ve watched television, surfed the Internet, or even browsed your Facebook feed, you’ve seen advertisements from the alcohol industry—or pop culture sites in general—on what you should be doing on a Friday night, what you should be mixing your vodka with, and how you can meet good-looking people at the bar. It’s one reason it took me such a long time to try sobriety. I truly thought the only way to socialize was by going out for drinks or by eyeing up my next boyfriend from across the club while listening to “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”

It took me a little while to adjust to life sober and socializing has been a big part of that. When you’re used to taking shots before any social interaction, it feels weird when you show up anywhere sober. Each event and situation that I participated in sober was a new learning opportunity, and they proved to me that socializing sober is much better than socializing drunk.

No. 1: It’s GENUINE

I was always the drinker who felt these deep spiritual connections with their drunk friends. I would meet someone at a nightclub in a bathroom at 2 a.m. and she would just get me. We’d be besties for the rest of the night. Sometimes these “friendships” lasted and we’d become party pals. I had tons of party pals, people who I could call on any day at any time and convince them to drink with me. Since getting sober, I’ve come to realize just how fake these connections were. It takes a lot more than sharing tequila shots to become close with another human. Sobriety has shown me that genuine connections are made with a clear head.

No. 2: It doesn’t entail a hangover

Socializing for me in active addiction always had a hangover attached to it. That’s because I didn’t know how to socialize without consuming alcohol. I won’t lie to you, I had a lot of fun on some days while drinking, but the price I always paid was a nasty hangover. No matter how much fun I thought I was having, the next day I paid for it. Socializing sober doesn’t require the social currency of a hangover. Today when I socialize, I get to wake up the next morning feeling refreshed.

No. 3: You develop connections that have substance

Along with drunk connections not being genuine, they also don’t have substance. When I got sober, I left a lot of friends behind because I realized we had nothing in common. What we had in common previously was drinking and drama. Once you leave that stuff behind, you realize you need to socialize with other people who have similar world views and goals. It’s easier to find people who share your views and goals when you are sober, understand what you’re looking for in this life, and go out to the right places and get it.

No. 4: You don’t have to worry about embarrassing yourself

My drinking years were a long history of embarrassing situations. I know people who drink and aren’t alcoholics who have embarrassed themselves, at least a time or two, while indulging in alcohol. The beauty of socializing sober is that you don’t have to worry about embarrassing yourself! Of course, it’s possible to make a mistake or do something silly while sober, but not to the extent that I used to do it when I was drinking. I can make the conscious decision to behave in a certain way while socializing instead of leaving it up to who I become during a blackout.

No. 5: You can remember all your conversations

Do you know how many times people confided in me and told me serious stuff while I was intoxicated? More times than I can count. Not only that, serious things in my life happened—surgeries, deaths, and other important events that I can hardly recall. It pains me to know that I can’t remember crucial details of my life due to my addiction. Now that I move through the world sober, I can remember all of my conversations, big and small.

No. 6: You might find new hobbies you love

Socializing sober has been advantageous because I’ve found new hobbies I never knew I liked. It’s a common misconception that you won’t have fun in sobriety and that socializing is hard. But the truth is, you find new ways to socialize. I’ve started CrossFit and have met new people through that community. Sobriety offers time to find new hobbies and new friendships with people who enjoy those hobbies.

No. 7: Friendship will be based on values, not booze

I never realized how my entire life was based around alcohol until I got sober. I thought I was drinking like any other 20-something party girl. It wasn’t until I looked deep within and examined my relationships, that I realized I sought out “friends” who could drink a lot, who liked to go to the same nightclubs as me, and had connections to get drugs. It might seem like common sense, but these are not the qualities that make up a good friend! Today, my sober friendships are based on real values like loyalty, honesty, and reliability.

No. 8: I have the choice to socialize or not

I never realized it until I got sober, but socializing became forced for me, meaning drinking was equated to socializing and socializing was equated to drinking. I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I felt like I had to put on a face, be the life of the party, and act like I was enjoying and interacting with people no matter what. Now that I’m sober, I get to choose if I want to socialize or not—what a crazy concept. I also don’t equate socializing with drinking anymore.

Once I made the separation of drinking and socializing, it made sense to me why socializing is so much more enjoyable sober. You can be who you are and thrive in any situation. Of course, it took time to adjust to being a part of a crowd sober, making friends without exchanging shots of tequila, and knowing when I just want to stay home on a Friday night. But socializing has become one of my favorite things about being sober. All I have to worry about when socializing now, is being myself.

Kelly Fitzgerald is a sober writer based in Southwest Florida whose work has been published on the Huffington Post among other sites. She writes about her life as a former party girl living in recovery on The Adventures of The Sober Señorita.

About Fellowship Hall

Fellowship Hall is a 99-bed, private, not-for-profit alcohol and drug treatment center located on 120 tranquil acres in Greensboro, N.C. We provide treatment and evidence-based programs built upon the Twelve-Step model of recovery. We have been accredited by The Joint Commission since 1974 as a specialty hospital and are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. We are committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care to every individual we serve.

There was this thing going around the internet a few years called “the Dress,” millions of people around the world saw it  and chimed in on what color that they perceived the dress to be. It has its own Wikipedia reference. People either see a black and blue dress, or white and gold dress. There were even studies done on how the human brain may process color differently. One article identified it may have to do with a lifetime of sleep wake patterns. Early rising larks (like me) may be more likely to interpret an ambiguous image as being lit by the short-wavelength light they’re used to seeing and thus more likely to see the dress as white and gold. Late night Owls should have a tendency to assume long-wavelength, artificial lighting, and would thus see the dress as black and blue. For the record, I see it clearly as a white and gold dress. So we may be subtly influenced by a lifetime of experience on how our eyes gather light.

It is so analogous of a lot of things in our world today, including recovery. The difference is that what we “see” when we think of recovery is all the associations we have with that word. What we see is influenced by our own experiences. For me, it was a lifesaving process that helped me redefine my life in ways that I honestly believe led me to be a better version of who I am as person. The journey has shaped me in ways I don’t think I would have had in any other way. What is called in the literature post traumatic growth or as what researcher Dr David Best terms “better than well.” 

It is also about what we assume about others when we hear the word. Some believe recovery means being absent all medications, others do not feel this way. Many believe it is a process that includes more than abstinence from all misuse of drugs, some others see it as any movement towards wellness. I often hear the assertion that recovery is defined by the individual, which empowers the individual but may not be particularly useful in respect to developing care frameworks to increase access to it. I even hear a groundswell of voices that the word has become so tainted that it should be dispensed with entirely. The defining of recovery is a contentious space.

Perhaps we would make progress if we saw recovery like the dress pictured above. While I see a gold and white dress, I understand that there is a phenomenon occurring that result in markedly different visual experience of what people see. I don’t think that a person is bad or evil if they see a black or blue dress or make some other value judgement on them if they see it differently than I (which unfortunately does seem to happen with how we view recovery). There are differences in how we perceive things both visually and experientially. Let’s figure out a way to honor that.

We do require some level of categorization of what recovery is and proper language to discuss it so as to avoid additional confusion or to falsely attribute what we think people are saying because of imprecise language. I experience challenges due to the imprecision of our recovery definition language often. I agree with what Austin Brown said in his recent and thoughtful post “Reflections on Current Debates Regarding Recovery Definitions.” He notes that we need a scientific definition of recovery, but that great care must be taken to center such a definition around how survivors of addiction view themselves. Like the dress, we have varied views, and a viable definition of recovery must encapsulate lived recovery views in ways that make sense for all of us. Challenging but possible.

You may say it does not matter. Bill White has written about the importance of the debate over how we define recovery over the years, here is one article, and here is another he has written. He notes that a lot rides on how we define recovery, what gets in and what gets left out. Austin Brown noted in the piece linked above that the opioid crisis brought a lot money and interest into the recovery space and that simply being an expert in a medical realm does not make someone an authority on recovery. Dr David McCartney wrote a piece recently called You’re all going to hate the word ‘recovery’. I agree with his statement in his piece “The point, I suppose, is that it is not possible to have a reliable single tool that measures recovery. Recovery is a complex process and it’s not fundamentally a clinical journey, but a social one and doesn’t fit under the microscope easily.”

I am not going to pitch a new definition of recovery here. I respect what anyone has to say about their own recovery. In the same breath, we don’t define cancer remission scientifically based on individual perception, it has an accepted classification that is subject to change as we learn new things about it. Cancer as a pathology is very different from recovery, but both must be ground in science. Perhaps we could start with encapsulating the experiences of all persons in recovery in a framework based on our collective lived experience. We could start by asking each other what we see and why we see it that way rather than filling the word with our own associations and making false assumptions of what others see. We just might be able to develop a framework for categorizing the recovery process that we can all agree is valid. The nomenclature of recovery matters. It ends up informing how we conceptualize solutions and organize care.

So what is the recovery you see, how much room do you have to accommodate the recovery you don’t see?   

Saying goodbye to a friend and colleague as they leave an organization is almost always a bittersweet moment. We want them to embrace new possibilities and chapters in their lives, but at the same time we’ll miss them terribly.

Jim Braastad, after 13 years of service to SMART Recovery, has retired. His impact was major, as we’ll see from the following testimonials celebrating his work and, almost equally, just who he was as a person.

He became known to SMART as GJBXVI, his online username. Jim’s responses to message board posts, according to those present at the time, were filled with understanding, compassion, and SMART tools. No surprise there, because that is how he was his entire tie while associated with SMART.

Jim was never shy about volunteering, and he served in many volunteer capacities for SMART through the years: Online Leadership Team, Message Board Liaison, volunteer helper to online trainings, and eventually, based on his commitment of time and talent, it became clear it was time to make Jim a member of the staff.

He was responsible for creating the online training platform which has trained thousands of volunteers. Really, SMART Recovery would have experienced far less growth in what would have required far more time if it hadn’t been for Jim and his involvement. 

Personal Testimonials

Now for the good stuff, personal testimonials from Jim’s co-workers about who he was and how SMART benefitted.

From just this small selection of people who have known Jim over the years, it is easy to see how important he was to SMART as an organization and the people who make up SMART. It is not often that an individual has the years of impact upon where they volunteered and worked. Jim Braastad did.

Jim, from the bottom of our SMART hearts we thank you. Words can’t really express how much you’ve meant to SMART, but we tried. May you have a wonderful next chapter of your life.

Mark Ruth, Executive Director

The first statement of appreciation comes from Executive Director Mark Ruth, who felt Jim’s impact immediately after he joined SMART.

Right after I started working with Jim in 2018 I was quickly impressed with his overall knowledge of SMART, especially training programs and tools, and the needs of volunteer and participant. Jim was instrumental in helping make immediate online training improvements, adding new courses, and in our training website marketing and rebranding. 

Equally important to me, Jim provided a valued historical perspective of SMART that helped me make more informed decisions.  Jim’s planned retirement is well deserved but for those who know Jim, we know he will not be too far away in his ongoing support of SMART. 

Our National Office staff and SMART community wish Jim the very best in his next phase of his life journey.

Shari Allwood, Former Executive Director

A longer-term historical perspective is offered by Shari Allwood, former SMART Executive Director.

The most important thing Jim did was help others change their lives. Whether that person worked directly with Jim online or benefitted from well-trained facilitators sharing the SMART program with them, Jim was hugely impactful .

Jim, wishing you all the VERY best as you enter and enjoy retirement.  May you be 1/10th as well cared for as those you cared for during your time with SMART.  That would equate to you having it made in the shade! Thanks for giving your all to SMART!

Christi Alicea, Assistant Executive Director

Christi Alicea, SMART’s Assistant Executive Director, especially notes his going the extra mile, or two, or three.

Jim and I first met in 2015 when I signed up for our Distance Training to prepare for my new job at SMART Recovery.  He was patient with me and my questions as I was still juggling my former position, a part-time job and personal things in life, just like many volunteers he worked with experience.

Once I got settled at SMART, Jim and I worked together quite a bit, and I saw how much he cared about each and every participant who took our training.  Volunteers often continued to reach out to him as a resource even after they graduated because of his knowledge and helpful demeanor.

Importantly, Jim’s sense of humor made things fun “around the office,” even all the way from Minnesota. For example, he would never let me forget about the time I accidentally turned my camera on in a training session FULL of Facilitators in Training while looking “less than camera ready!” Enough said.  

Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and everything you did to help grow SMART!

Hammer, Lead Onsite Trainer

The person we all know as Hammer (aka Mrs. Hellnoerstrom) wonders what she can say about Jim. Then she offers this incredible tribute.

What can I say about Jim Braastad? We had many fun and entertaining moments together.  I noticed Jim when he first came to SMART Recovery and I asked him if he would be interested in being a message board volunteer. He jumped right in and made the most insightful posts.

I was working with others to run what was then called Distance Training. The number of trainees kept growing exponentially and we needed to find someone to help. I approached Jim and he joined our team.

One year we had the idea to try to stay awake for the entire 24 hours that it would take to welcome New Year’s around the world.  We did it several years in a row – never quite making the 24 hours – but having a blast in the meantime.  Those were early days. When I returned to SMART Recovery to work on the Onsite Training Team I got to work with Jim once again.  He had learned a whole lot of stuff and blew me away with how much he was doing for SMART Recovery.

There have been many moments we have shared over the years. But the one thing I will say is Jim’s heart is always in the right place and he truly cares about the people he works with. Recently he asked me to work with a young person that he mentored and to whom he provided a personal scholarship for training.  What a treasure!

I am so happy that Jim has chosen to retire and enjoy time with his precious family. Jim, I wish you all the best in everything you do. It has been a distinct pleasure knowing you as a colleague and a friend. I hope you stay in touch.

SEL, Training Team Member

SEL notes that while Jim may not have fit in the conventional mold as volunteer and staff for SMART, that didn’t matter.

Since November 2014, when Jim asked me to join the Distance Training Team, he has demonstrated his value. He told me again and again that the absolute best part of Distance Training was working closely with the Facilitators in Training; consider the many trainees from all over the world who have stayed in touch with him after completing their training. His kindness and moral center are obvious, with his buckets of patience as well as joy in helping others “discover the power of choice” and “life beyond addiction.” Yes, I teased him about using quotation marks for emphasis. His influence and energy (rationality and wisdom) will continue to be felt throughout the SMART Recovery organization. I wish him great satisfaction in whatever he decides to pursue next. And yes, there will be something, you just wait.

Sam Lester, Training Team Member

Sam Lester, a colleague on the Training Team for many years, was always struck by his level of compassion.

I first met Jim when he joined SMART in 2009 and I connected with him right away.  I felt his enthusiasm for not just his own recovery but for others’ as well.  He contributed endlessly by posting helpful information on the SMART Recovery website.

His leadership in the GSF online Distance Training has been outstanding, not only for the trainees taking the course but for us, the Training Team.  His quick response to all our needs and just the empathy he expressed to anyone who was struggling is who he is, a kind person. 

While he is already deeply missed by all of us, we accept his decision to retire and wish the best for him and his family.

Gigi, Volunteer

Gigi, a volunteer for more than five years, is convinced that without Jim she would have quit.

I reluctantly started training after thinking I had to have it all together first. That was March 2015 when there was a lot of work to reading the responses from the New Facilitators in Training from all over the world. I learned so much from reading the responses. I knew of a Jim Brastaad and the Team of Sam and Sarah because we communicated twice a month with training calls.

I had some bumps in the early days and Jim sent some wonderful support and using Tools, specifically ABC. I felt his earnest support from the beginning. I finally got to MEET Jim at the Conference 2019 in Chicago. What a great time to talk to him in person. I left energized for SMART and facilitating. Thank you Jim!

PLEASE NOTE BEFORE YOU COMMENT:

SMART Recovery welcomes comments on our blog posts—we enjoy hearing from you! In the interest of maintaining a respectful and safe community atmosphere, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines when making or responding to others’ comments, regardless of your point of view. Thank you.

• Be kind in tone and intent.
• Be respectful in how you respond to opinions that are different than your own.
• Be brief and limit your comment to a maximum of 500 words.
• Be careful not to mention specific drug names.
• Be succinct in your descriptions, graphic details are not necessary.
• Be focused on the content of the blog post itself.

If you are interested in addiction recovery support, we encourage you to visit the SMART Recovery website.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you or someone you love is in great distress and considering self-harm, please call 911 for immediate help, or reach out to The National Suicide Prevention Hotline @800-273-8255, https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

We look forward to you joining the conversation!

*SMART Recovery reserves the right to not publish comments
we consider outside our guidelines.*

By Kristin Roha, MS, MPH, SAMHSA Public Health Advisor for HIV

June 5th marks 40 years since the first five cases of what later became known as AIDS were officially reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). June 5th also is observed as HIV Long-Term Survivor’s Day. On this 40th anniversary, SAMHSA commemorates the more than 32 million people, including 700,000 in the United States, who have died from AIDS-related illness globally since the start of the epidemic, and honors the resilience of long-term HIV survivors and the vital role they play within our communities.

SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. People with substance use disorder and/or mental illness are at increased risk of getting HIV, and of passing the virus on to others. People with HIV, mental illness, and/or substance use disorder also face increased behavioral health challenges as each comorbidity acts as a potential obstacle in treatment of the other two. They also face a complex healthcare system that can be difficult to navigate. We know from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) that the prevalence of substance use is higher among people living with HIV than among the general population, and that substance use disorder can increase the risk of getting HIV and negatively impact HIV care, treatment, and related health outcomes. We also know that the prevalence of mental illness is higher among people living with HIV than among the general population; mental illness can interfere with HIV prevention and adherence to treatment and is linked to behaviors that increase the likelihood of getting HIV. Mental health and substance use disorder healthcare practitioners like SAMHSA’s grant recipients and partner organizations serve on the front lines of the HIV epidemic and can play a vital role in linking individuals to HIV testing, counseling, treatment, and prevention. For this reason, SAMHSA is a proud partner in the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative.

SAMHSA’s HIV funding targets people who have mental illness, substance use, and HIV. SAMHSA has pushed for universal HIV testing upon admission to substance use disorder treatment, and it is a requirement for some of our grants. SAMHSA also has funded grants that provide individuals with HIV peer support and navigation services through a complex healthcare system; provide one-stop-shop healthcare models that promote full integration and collaboration in clinical practice between primary and behavioral health care; and fund increased engagement in care for racial and ethnic minorities with substance use disorder and/or co-occurring mental disorders who are at risk for HIV or are HIV positive.

June 5th also is observed as HIV Long-Term Survivors Day. SAMHSA honors long-term survivors of the HIV epidemic and recognizes the needs, issues, and journeys of Americans who are long-term survivors in our families, neighborhoods, communities, and healthcare systems. We recognize the need to continue addressing both the physical and mental challenges to their well-being due to decades of successful disease management. More than ever long-term survivors need our support to manage both the physical impact of decades of HIV disease management, and feelings of social isolation, loneliness, and depression, with which many of them struggle. With many current HIV efforts focused on prevention and testing, long-term survivors can feel overlooked. These feelings of isolation have been made worse by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, HIV stigma, ageism, homophobia, racial discrimination, and other interrelated social issues. Substance use and mental health programs can ensure they identify and serve older Americans, including long-term survivors, who may struggle with feelings of social isolation, loneliness, and depression.

If you, or someone you know, is seeking help for substance use or mental illness, SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator can help you connect with treatment programs in your area. You can use this resource to locate substance use and/or mental health treatment providers in a confidential and anonymous manner.

On this 40th anniversary, SAMHSA is honored to work with our federal, domestic, and international partners and members of the HIV community in our shared effort to end the HIV epidemic in the United States.

Hi all,

This post is a request for your help.

I’m involved in the formation of an addiction recovery affinity group (AKA employee resource group) in a hospital.

We have well over 2000 staff and roles range from administrators to food service to RNs to housekeeping to doctors.

I’m interested in models and examples for this type of thing. I’ve seen a lot of examples of recovery-friendly workplaces and I’m aware of things like Caduceus groups, but this is a little different. It may provides some mutual aid but it also seeks to improve employee engagement, strengthen culture, and accomplish some diversity & inclusion (D&I) goals.

This group could provide support for other recovering colleagues, provide feedback to HR about policies to support recovery at the hospital, and provide feedback about improving care for patients in recovery or with a history of addiction.

Of particular concern is the fact that many colleagues are licensed health professionals and may see professional risk in identifying as a person in recovery.

I’m interested getting information on the objectives, activities, and experiences of similar groups. I’m particularly interested in experience in navigating concerns about licensing and confidentiality.

Please share your thoughts and experience with me via email at jfschwartz(at)gmail.com or twitter @RecoveryReview

Thank you! Jason

One of the projects I am working on currently is to do interviews with people who attended the historic 2001 Recovery Summit in St. Paul, Minnesota. I am doing it to develop a deeper understanding of what was occurring at the time and how it all came together. The better we understand such things, the easier it is for us to apply the lessons of history to our current challenges. One of the main things I am learning is that there was an emphasis from the very first moments of planning the event to include multiple pathways of recovery. It was a central focus of what they were trying to accomplish. Essentially, to highlight we are all in this together and to value and respect all pathways.

In respect to the new recovery advocacy movement, we are at such a milestone right now. Twenty years prior to the summit, in 1981, there was no care. Advocacy in those early years was simply to create funding mechanism to get people treatment. I got help in 1986 because of that effort. Without studying history, my assumption would have been that such services had always existed. I was oblivious to how much blood sweat and tears it took for that door to be there for me to walk through. Without a lot of hard effort in the late 1960s and 70s it would have never happened. I see parallels to work that came out of the 2001 recovery summit and how younger people may see it at twenty years out.

As an aside, I am reading a book called the Fourth Turning, one of the main points of the book is that society changes every twenty years or so, and that each generation has a different viewpoint based on the conditions in their formative years. Using this lens, history has patterns that echo over increments of an average human life cycle, 80 years of so. It is an interesting framework for history and makes some fascinating points. We do see changes in societies that tend to reflect these twenty-year measures.  I suspect this is also true for us as a recovery movement. We live in different times.

Through a study of recovery history, it is evident that anything around the addiction and recovery world means a lot of varying views. We become defined by our differences. It is also true then and now that many groups benefit from a divided recovery community and may even work to foment such division. This has always been true, but it is also true that we have always has much more in common than any of the smaller points on which we divide up and get heated about. That lesson of unity is one we need to heed now. It is the lesson our last generation has for our new leaders.

The divisions that pull us apart are understandable. There are very different experiences for persons trying to access care along lines of race, economic class, rural access versus urban and many a myriad of other factors. We must address them. Resources for recovery have also been so limited, we are like drowning people pushing each other down into the water to pull ourselves out of the water for a gasp of air. Some may even benefit from our own version of the recovery hunger games. Like recovery, it seems to me that everything we put before this common cause we are likely to lose. In that lens, the need for common purpose is clear. We are the smallest entity at the funding level but unrivaled in the size of our constituency when we come together. When we come together, we can succeed. Full stop.

In conducting the interviews with attendees of the historic recovery summit in St Paul, the other thing that stands out to me is that there was widespread recognition at the time that this was probably the best opportunity there ever would be to establish a national recovery movement. In short, the forces that brought them all together were greater than the forces which pulled them apart. Necessity brought them all together.

We are now in such an era of necessity and opportunity. The Biden administration has released a FYI 22 budget proposal of 3.5 billion, an 87% increase in federal Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) dollars. This is the primary source used by states to fund treatment, prevention, and recovery support services across the nation. It includes a 10% set aside for recovery support services, this is the FIRST EVER federal proposed budget that sets aside dollars for us. We have never been resourced like what is being proposed. It is a proposal; however, it will take a herculean effort to make it a reality.

We will get nowhere divided. We never have. We may have multiple pathways of recovery, but we have one common cause, to get as many people into recovery as is possible. It is about the lives of our families and community members.

What lessons can the recovery movement history tell us about what we do next? I pose questions here:

• What are ways our community shows division that would be better off addressed behind closed doors?
• What are some ways we can bring all of our communities together in common cause moving forward?
• How do we keep our eye on the prize of supporting recovery for all of our diverse communities with equity?
• How do we want to be remembered?

The truth is that together, we are Hercules. Let’s go make history!

We are pleased to announce the release of our newest Tips & Tools for Recovery that Works! video the Keys to Happiness Part 1.

In the first of this two-part episode on the Keys to Happiness, we examine six of the twelve aspects towards of happiness. Health and happiness are key goals and intended outcome of successful recovery. And successful recovery is what SMART is all about.

Watch on our YouTube channel.

Watch the Unconditional Self Acceptance video.

Watch the Unconditional Life Acceptance video.

Watch the Unconditional Other Acceptance video.

Subscribe to the SMART Recovery YouTube Channel

Video storytelling is a powerful tool in recovery, and we are proud to share our SMART Recovery content free-of-charge, available anywhere, on any device. Our videos hope to inform, entertain, and inspire anyone in the recovery community.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be notified every time we release a new video.

PLEASE NOTE BEFORE YOU COMMENT:

SMART Recovery welcomes comments on our blog posts—we enjoy hearing from you! In the interest of maintaining a respectful and safe community atmosphere, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines when making or responding to others’ comments, regardless of your point of view. Thank you.

• Be kind in tone and intent.
• Be respectful in how you respond to opinions that are different than your own.
• Be brief and limit your comment to a maximum of 500 words.
• Be careful not to mention specific drug names.
• Be succinct in your descriptions, graphic details are not necessary.
• Be focused on the content of the blog post itself.

If you are interested in addiction recovery support, we encourage you to visit the SMART Recovery website.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you or someone you love is in great distress and considering self-harm, please call 911 for immediate help, or reach out to The National Suicide Prevention Hotline @800-273-8255, https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

We look forward to you joining the conversation!

*SMART Recovery reserves the right to not publish comments
we consider outside our guidelines.*

The Power of Passion: Discovering Your Hobbies & Interests After Substances

In recovery, eventually, the obsession with substances subsides. What fills up those spaces in your mind, aside from your recovery? This mental space, free from the obsession with drugs and alcohol, is the perfect place to fill with new hobbies and passions, which can help support your recovery in numerous ways.

Your passions are things that excite you, motivate you, and drive you to a purpose. Whatever it is that brings you joy and feeds your soul, seek those things out and do them often. Sobriety doesn’t mean that life cannot be fun or exciting – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Whether you lost your passions along the way during active use, or you never had the chance to discover them, they are living within you always.

The first step to finding what you enjoy doing is to try new things.

Attend a class; art, cooking, sculpting, writing, singing, dancing, you name it — even virtually they are available and just a simple internet search away. Youtube is also an incredible source of free information and instructional videos! Check out some different creators on the platform and note what does and does not spark your interest.

Reflect after each activity that you try.

Get out of your head and into your body for a moment. What are you feeling when you try these activities? Do you feel positive, warm, excited feelings? Do you feel much of anything at all? This is important to note in two ways: 1. This can lead you towards more activities and hobbies that you truly enjoy. 2. This is a great practice to increase your own emotional intelligence and understanding.

Use your search for passion as an opportunity to connect with others.

You might find that it is not the activity alone, but the shared human experience that you enjoy most. For many extroverted individuals, this is often the case! Reach out to your sponsor, those in your meetings, or close friends or family that support your recovery to go on this adventure of trying new things with you.

Don’t be afraid to fail.

In your pursuit of passion, like with anything else, do not be afraid to fail. Even if you are afraid, remember that often the most beautiful things live beyond the realm of our deepest fears. You have made it this far, so why not continue to try to find things that make you feel more like you.

Remember, passions and hobbies are a great place to begin as you get to know yourself and your personality again in sobriety. This is a great inner-place to turn to instead of feelings such as obsession, isolation, boredom, anger, depression, anxiety, etc. They can become a good outlet of expression for these emotions as well. Your passions can constantly change and develop, so be patient and don’t give up! Like the steps, you can go through the motions of trying new things over and over again, and you will only get better with time and repetition.

About Fellowship Hall

Fellowship Hall is a 99-bed, private, not-for-profit alcohol and drug treatment center located on 120 tranquil acres in Greensboro, N.C. We provide treatment and evidence-based programs built upon the Twelve-Step model of recovery. We have been accredited by The Joint Commission since 1974 as a specialty hospital and are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. We are committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care to every individual we serve.