I’m pleased to welcome Ana Gopoian and Ken Cairns of TriCircle, Inc.
Ana is a woman in recovery and the founder of TriCircle. Ken is a father of a son struggling with opioid addiction. He is giving back by co-facilitating a TriCircle hope and support group. They both help to support families who are suffering because of substance use.
Here is my interview with Ana and Ken:
Here are some of the takeaways from the interview:
What is TriCircle?
The main purpose of TriCircle is to support families and to look at the situation systemically.
There are fifteen monthly support groups, nine hope and support groups, and six hope after loss groups.
There have clinical services now and moving toward their long-term goal of a 15-month program.
Ken shares his story about his son and the relapses that can often happen. He then began attending TriCircle meetings for support. Ken reminds us that addiction in your family completely changes your life.
Dads and support groups
Dads care deeply about their children. But we see from coast to coast that more moms attend group meetings or reach out for support. In the interview, we touched on encouraging more dads to attend meetings and get more actively involved.
If parents can collaborate and practice self-care, they will be better positioned to help their children and get involved with their community.
Ken talks about his experience of growing up with a father who had a problem with alcohol and not being able to speak about it.
Dads and other family members still might feel that it is wrong to air your “dirty laundry” in public, so that it’s better to keep quiet about the problem.
Some dads feel that substance use is embarrassing. Some dads may feel that if their wife goes to the meetings, they can tell them what they need to do.
Meetings can be so emotional. Ken explains how he put off going because he didn’t want to walk in and break down.
And yet, after he reassessed his experience of breaking down in his first meeting, he realized it wasn’t that embarrassing, and he could come back to the next meeting.
The family system
Ana points out that shame, stigma, and guilt are just as detrimental as the disease itself. It isolates us or separates us from solutions or support, which isn’t helpful.
When parents change, their loved ones often change.
Family members can learn how to respond rather than react.
When parents try and fix the problem for their child, it sends the message that your child cannot do it for themself.
When parents get help, they are then able to make a more informed decision. Families have choices. There are many paths to recovery.
Self-Care
Ken shares what he does for self-care, what helps him stay resilient, and how he took it to a whole new level. No one can take care of us like we can take care of ourselves.
With families, we come from a place of love which can make decision-making uncomfortable.
Groups can be helpful, and you often realize that everybody knows someone trying to cope with substance use. Attending a group meeting can help you open up and feel better because you have someone to talk with about the problem.
Having open communication with other people and telling your story helps draw people to a support group.
The goal is to share your experiences with other people who understand and won’t judge as you move forward in a better way.
Learn more about Ana and Ken at TriCircle
Ana Gopoian has a strong personal commitment to explore multiple pathways for recovery and treatment. She continues to cultivate resources to connect her clients and their families to sustainable long-term options. After 26 years in a corporate career, Ana has transitioned all her energies into her new business TriCircle, Inc. 501 (c)(3) and its 3Phase creation and TriCircle Restoration LLC, the creator; of “The Paraphernalia Project.” These companies are in existence to support the solutions, education, and resources needed in Connecticut communities. On January 1, 2016, a 2-year plan was mapped out. Ana believes this plan will fulfill her life purpose to serve. You can reach out to Ana by email at: ana@tricircleinc.com.
Ken Cairns worked for the State of CT, Department of Correction for 27 years, retiring last year as a vocational teacher teaching IT skills and computing programming to inmates in a correctional facility. He has owned and operated his own computer business, Computer Works, since 1999. Ken most recently began co-facilitating a hope and support group for TriCircle, Inc. in Southington, Connecticut. He is a proud father and grandfather. As a lifelong resident of CT, Ken now lives and works in Cheshire. In his downtime, he enjoys golf and spending time with his family.
