Supporting the Journey of Family Recovery
Just like that, the year is underway and I want to take this month to reintroduce myself and offer a bit more about how and why I am doing the work that I do.
If you know any part of my personal story of walking the journey of substance use disorder with my oldest son, it might seem obvious. And initially, that was my “why”.
As I closed 2022 and reflected on the 155 families that I was able to support in some way, it became clear that my “why” had expanded beyond my own family, beyond the many friends that I have who also love a person with SUD, and even beyond the wonderful clients and groups that I am blessed and grateful to support and help.
I speak of myself as a person in long term recovery from the disease of addiction in my family. When I say those words, it is not to take away from the hard work that those in recovery from personal addiction do, but to bring to light the fact that Addiction is a Family Disease. And ultimately, Recovery is for the Whole Family.
I questioned the guidance that was being given, and I looked within myself to find the truth of healing, love and support that began with me. I did some really hard work on recognizing my own patterns that engaged with a disorder rather than a person.
I am presenting at the Colorado Winter Psychotherapy Symposium on February 1, and my presentation is inspired by the Desmund Tutu quotation,
“We need to stop just pulling people out of the river.
We need to go upstream and find out why they are falling in”.
I believe that if families are equipped with a safe space to explore and rediscover their values and intentions, and learn how to engage in their relationships aligned with those intentions while using effective and compassionate communication tools, they will be a part of the solution. They will be part of the healing, and it will be the families and allies of those in pain that slow the flow of the river that is currently an overwhelming tsunami.
If you are looking for more. More healing, more support, more guidance, more connection. There is a place for you here. There are private coaching opportunities, a support group of other affected family members, and group workshops throughout the year.
And if you just want to know that you are a part of something bigger than this ugly disease of addiction, you are in the right place.
Comments