"When we are supporting people on their healing journey, it's about walking alongside them. It's not about us projecting our narrative or our own healing path onto others"
It has been my experience in recovering from trauma myself, and watching others deal with their own very real addictions. Support must meet all of us where we are. You're right, it is not just a one size approach to support, and recovery, it needs to include the basic principle that there is a person there that needs help, labelled programs that should just "work" does not mean that they will. Real change happens when we can connect with that which we want to change, or see a need to want to change.
100%. It's an unfortunate reality that basically one approach is offered in most treatment centers and recovery spaces. Hopefully through these conversations, we can change the narrative and allow for other modalities to become more "mainstream" and accessible.
I will be the first to admit some of the other modalities can sound strange or I could be intiially standoffish, but the reality is, it simply isn't about what I think. It comes down to what the individual needs. I do believe the other offerings of help need to be supported and guided. I have watched a few people self medicate, and I am not sure it served them the best. Choose what works for you, but at the same time good support, I think is key to also helping the journey. Having a steady contact that works as good stabilizer.
From my perspective, self medicating wouldn’t necessarily mean someone is living in recovery, but rather may fall into the harm reduction realm.
If someone is choosing abstinence, how they get there should be broad and guided by them, while professionals connect them to those supports. It can be complex, which is why it’s important to have trust and offer a space where the persons voice can be heard. Whether that’s a client, friend, family, co-worker, etc.
This is what I was attempting to say. Thank you for that response and offering some insight to some of the pathways involved. I agree, I hope whoever is in a tough spot finds meaningful help at the end of the day. Trained, caring people can assist with that, most definitely! At the guidance of those who they are trying to help.
Very well stated article.
It has been my experience in recovering from trauma myself, and watching others deal with their own very real addictions. Support must meet all of us where we are. You're right, it is not just a one size approach to support, and recovery, it needs to include the basic principle that there is a person there that needs help, labelled programs that should just "work" does not mean that they will. Real change happens when we can connect with that which we want to change, or see a need to want to change.
100%. It's an unfortunate reality that basically one approach is offered in most treatment centers and recovery spaces. Hopefully through these conversations, we can change the narrative and allow for other modalities to become more "mainstream" and accessible.
I will be the first to admit some of the other modalities can sound strange or I could be intiially standoffish, but the reality is, it simply isn't about what I think. It comes down to what the individual needs. I do believe the other offerings of help need to be supported and guided. I have watched a few people self medicate, and I am not sure it served them the best. Choose what works for you, but at the same time good support, I think is key to also helping the journey. Having a steady contact that works as good stabilizer.
From my perspective, self medicating wouldn’t necessarily mean someone is living in recovery, but rather may fall into the harm reduction realm.
If someone is choosing abstinence, how they get there should be broad and guided by them, while professionals connect them to those supports. It can be complex, which is why it’s important to have trust and offer a space where the persons voice can be heard. Whether that’s a client, friend, family, co-worker, etc.
This is what I was attempting to say. Thank you for that response and offering some insight to some of the pathways involved. I agree, I hope whoever is in a tough spot finds meaningful help at the end of the day. Trained, caring people can assist with that, most definitely! At the guidance of those who they are trying to help.