The truth is that almost two-thirds of Americans have friends or family members who have struggled with addiction. Millions of people are in recovery. We live in your town, on your block, and in your home, but still many people don’t know that treatment works and that long-term recovery is a common reality. ~ William Cope Moyers
September is Recovery Month!
Furthermore, there are many people who have not only recovered but have gone on to give back in the most remarkable ways.
The success stories about people who are in recovery and are doing well are rarely published in the media.
Many people in recovery find it difficult to share the truth of who they are because of the impact it might have on their life. The stigma of addiction can be just as harmful as the disease itself. It keeps people in the closet unable to talk about their past.
Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) is website whose mission is to change public perceptions of recovery from Washington DC to residents of all 50 states. The site demonstrates that recovery is working for millions of Americans. If you are a family member of someone who has struggled with alcoholism or drug addiction share that with people who don’t know. Share with them the important information that your loved one has recovered.
Two paragraphs from the Core Positioning Statement of FAVOR read:
“For too long a great majority of the recovery community — those in recovery, their families and recovery allies — have been silent about their experiences and successes. As a result, there has been no unified public voice advocating on behalf of recovery and for those who still need to achieve it.
Times have changed. The recovery community is unifying around key priorities– to gain needed resources and to end discrimination against people in recovery. We are working to eliminate barriers to recovery for every American, every family and to help today’s children and future generations, who often are the biggest winners in the process of recovery.”
Many that have found recovery have not only been of service to others but have gone one to tap into their inner resources and become amazing success stories. My wish is that they were not invisible.
Here are four incredible writers whose work I have found amazing and who continue to offer life lessons. They have found the courage to share their story intertwined within their own personal focus.
Practice Your Priority
Rolf Gates is a yoga teacher from Santa Cruz, California and has written a beautiful book of daily reflection on the path of yoga. His book is titled Meditations from the Mat, Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga. Rolf’s book has inspiration and spiritual guidance as he discovers and explains the beauty of yoga.
Rolf writes, “My very first practice was abstinence from alcohol through the use of the twelve steps. When I was about two years into that practice, a woman asked me what I wanted in life. I told her that in twenty-five years I wanted to be twenty-seven years sober. She told me that if I continued to feel that way, it would probably come to pass.
Abhyasa, or practice, is really about making something a priority. As we enact that priority, an energy builds in our life to support it.”
Get in Touch with Your Own Creativity
Julia Cameron is the author of The Artist’s Way, A Spiritual Path of Higher Creativity.
The book reached the top 10 best seller list, after selling millions of copies worldwide. This is the book from where the infamous “morning pages” originates, and what Julia calls the primary tool of creative recovery.
“In 1978, in January, I stopped drinking. I had never thought drinking made me a writer, but now I suddenly thought not drinking might make me stop. In my mind, drinking and writing went together like, well, scotch and soda. For me, the trick was always getting past the fear and onto the page. I was playing beat the clock — trying to write before the booze closed in like fog and my window of creativity was blocked again.”
Julia’s book was the catalyst for many to have the courage to explore their creativity and follow their dreams.
Be Fearless
Meet Steve Chandler. Steve, an author who has written dozens of books, is a world-famous personal success coach and a nationally recognized keynote speaker. I’ve just read my second book by Steve, Time Warrior, and as I read his books, the energy and electricity of his words feel like they are shooting right through the pages!
“I was one of them. A reactor. Big time I was sick, ruined, bankrupt, addicted to drugs and alcohol, lying to everyone I knew, especially the ones closest to me. A life of fear and more fear. The best I could ever feel, on my best day, was just worried. I was often okay with being worried. It was better than being flat-out terrified. But the terror would always return. And the pink cloud period of constant worry never lasted.
My life was saved by a recovery program.
Then, from there, I had the stunning privilege of learning to live freely.”
Talk About Your Shame
Brene Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston and has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. She has written several books including, “I Thought It Was Just Me,” and says that we can change our relationships and the way we live if we can find the courage to talk about shame and its effect on our lives.
“I started to get a clearer understanding of my own social dependence on alcohol. I quit drinking and smoking in 1996, the weekend I graduated with my master’s degree in social work. I was lucky. I had the information and tools to make that choice and found the support I needed to put down the sword and shield. I consider my journey in recovery to be one of the greatest gifts in my life.”
Many have found the gift of recovery. With the power of our collective voices may we begin to let go of the stigma of our past and share the truth that recovery works.
How has recovery from addiction affected your life? Join the discussion and let us know in comments.
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