InterAct LifeLine
InterAct LifeLine
Episode 18 - The Gift of Community
Episode 18 - The Gift of Community
Episode 18 - The Gift of Community
Friday 20th December 2019
Learn how community connections can support addiction recovery in this episode of 'InterAct LifeLine Audio Journal' with Carolyn Bradfield.
7 minutes
Informative
Supportive
Encouraging
Transformative
Authentic
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Author:
InterAct LifeLine
Overview:
Categories:
Family Recovery from Addiction
Sobriety Toolkit
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
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Get the buttons here!The Power of Community: Finding Strength in Connection During Addiction Recovery
Communities help us feel connected and part of something, but they also have strong benefits when it comes to helping you as you battle the disease of addiction for yourself or for a loved one.
Imagine facing the storm of addiction alone. It’s a daunting thought, isn’t it? Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of InterAct LifeLine, shares her heartfelt journey and the invaluable role that community played in her family's battle with addiction. In this episode of 'InterAct LifeLine Audio Journal', Carolyn opens up about the support she received when her daughter Laura struggled with addiction, and how these connections were a lifeline during their 15-year fight against the disease.
Sadly, Laura lost her battle, but the community's support was a beacon of hope and strength throughout their journey. Carolyn emphasizes that going it alone is never a good idea and highlights the many benefits of finding a community that you can connect with. One type of community that Bradfield highlights is collegiate recovery communities.
These organized groups for people in recovery on college campuses offer the gift of belonging, which has been linked to a higher graduation rate, higher GPA, and lower return to substance misuse. For those struggling with addiction, finding communities of sober, like-minded people promotes healthy social interaction and replaces the circle of people that misuse substances with others you can connect with without worrying about being around drugs or alcohol.
But what about family members who are helping a loved one fight addiction? Bradfield suggests finding communities of other family members, such as Al-Anon or other organizations that use the same-step philosophy to help families heal. There are also many non-profit organizations that focus on family support, such as Compassionate Friends, which helps families cope with loss. SAMHSA, a government organization focused on substance abuse and mental health, has a national hotline that can connect families to support organizations.
Carolyn also highlights the importance of friends and family in addiction recovery. While they may not fully understand what you are going through, it's up to you to paint a picture of how your life has changed and what you struggle with. Communication is key in finding the support you need from those closest to you. Communities help us feel connected and part of something bigger, offering strong benefits when battling addiction for yourself or a loved one.
Whether it's through collegiate recovery communities, family support groups, or non-profit organizations, there are numerous resources available to help you find the gift of community. Tune in to this episode of 'InterAct LifeLine Audio Journal' to discover how connections can help support addiction recovery.