Recovery Month: The Non-BS Guide

Recovery Month: The Non-BS Guide

September is Recovery Month. Yay, party hats and balloons, right? Except it's not all rainbows and unicorns. Recovery is hard, messy, and sometimes downright ugly. But it's also the most worthwhile thing you'll ever do.

The Birth of Recovery Month

Way back in 1989, the federal government launched Recovery Month. It was a time to raise awareness, smash stigma, and celebrate the folks who'd fought their way back from addiction. But it wasn't just about feel-good fluff – it was a call to action, a reminder that addiction treatment should be just as accessible as treatment for any other health condition. SAMHSA started National Recovery Month in 1989, but it was originally called "Treatment Works! Month" Recovery Answers. It wasn't until 1998 that the name was changed to National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month to reflect the focus on recovery, not just treatment Canyon Vista.

The People Behind the Movement

Recovery Month wasn't the brainchild of some out-of-touch bureaucrats. It was driven by advocates, many of whom were in recovery themselves. They knew firsthand the struggles, the setbacks, and the sheer grit it takes to rebuild your life from the ashes. They were the warriors on the front lines, fighting for better treatment, more funding, and less judgement.

Organizations like Faces & Voices of Recovery, the nation's leading non-profit recovery advocacy organization, have been instrumental in promoting Recovery Month and advancing the recovery movement. They walk side-by-side with recovery community organizations, peer support specialists, and others to make sure the voices of those in recovery are heard loud and clear.

Mobilize Recovery is another key player, bringing together a diverse cross-sector cohort of advocates, allies, and stakeholders to celebrate recovery and promote access to treatment and support services.

These advocates, along with countless others, have worked tirelessly to make Recovery Month a time for celebration, education, and action. They've helped shift the conversation around addiction, putting a face to recovery and showing that it is possible to overcome even the darkest of struggles.

Recovery: It's a Thing Now

Flash forward to today, and recovery is finally getting the spotlight it deserves. We're seeing recovery stories plastered on billboards, hearing them shared openly on social media, and watching as recovery communities spring up in cities and towns everywhere. It's like the recovery movement has finally hit the mainstream, and it's about damn time.

But Let's Get Real

Recovery isn't some linear journey where you just put one foot in front of the other and voila, you're fixed. It's messy, it's complicated, and it's different for everyone. There's setbacks, relapses, and days when you just want to throw in the towel. But there's also growth, healing, and those moments of pure joy that make it all worthwhile.

The Stigma Problem

Stigma is like that annoying relative who just won't quit. It's the judgement, the whispers, the whole "just say no" BS that ignores the complexity of addiction. And it's deadly, keeping people from seeking help and speaking openly about their struggles. We need to create a world where no one is ashamed to say, "I'm struggling, and I need support."

Suicide Prevention and Overdose Awareness

Recovery Month also overlaps with two other critical awareness events: National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and National Overdose Awareness Day (August 31). It's a harsh reminder of the stakes. Addiction is a matter of life and death, and we need to be talking openly about suicide and overdose, rather than sweeping them under the rug. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical resource for those in crisis, and SAMHSA provides key resources for overdose prevention.

The Top 10 Things You Should Know

1. Addiction is a disease. It's a chronic condition, just like diabetes or heart disease. It's not about being weak or lacking willpower.

2. Anyone can become addicted. It doesn't matter how much money you make, how good your upbringing was, or how smart you are. Addiction can happen to anyone.

3. Recovery is possible. With the right treatment and support, people can and do recover. It's not always easy, but it's worth it.

4. There's no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person might not work for another. Treatment needs to be tailored to the individual.

5. Stigma kills. It keeps people from seeking help, from being honest about their struggles. We need to create a world where those struggling feel safe coming forward.

6. Language matters. Using terms like "addict" or "junkie" dehumanizes people. We need to use person-first language, like "person with a substance use disorder".

7. Recovery isn't a solo act. Having a strong support system is key. That means supportive family and friends, as well as support groups like NA or AA.

8. Relapse is part of the journey. It doesn't mean you've failed, it just means you need to tweak your treatment plan. It's like if you were diabetic and your blood sugar got out of control - you'd adjust your meds and diet, you wouldn't beat yourself up over it.

9. Mental health matters. So often, addiction and mental health issues go hand in hand. We need to be treating the whole person, not just the addiction.

10. Silence equals death. The more we talk openly and honestly about addiction, the more we can break down the stigma and barriers to care. It's like that saying goes: "You're only as sick as your secrets."

The Hard Truth

Recovery Month is a time for celebration, but it's also a time for some hard truths. Addiction is a ravaging disease that's tearing families apart and destroying lives. It's a public health crisis that's not going anywhere anytime soon.

But in the face of all this, there's hope. There's the hope of recovery, the hope of redemption, the hope of a second chance at life. And that's what Recovery Month is really about.

So, let's raise a (sober) glass to the warriors, the fighters, the ones who've made it through the fire and come out the other side. Let's honor their journeys, their struggles, their triumphs. And let's vow to keep talking, keep sharing, keep fighting until every person struggling with addiction knows that they are seen, they are heard, and they are not alone.

• If you're struggling with addiction, hit up a helpline like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
• If you're looking for Recovery Month events in your area, check out the SAMHSA website.
• If you want to get involved in the recovery community, look into organizations like Faces & Voices of Recovery or the National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery.
• For suicide prevention resources, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• For overdose prevention resources, check out the SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit.

Stay strong, warriors. The world needs you. -Belle- 

 

Navigating Substance Use and Recovery in a Culture of Acceptance

I'll never forget the moment it hit me – I wasn't just partying, I was hiding. Behind a haze of smoke and a haze of booze, I was running from my own life. The substances that once felt like an escape had become a prison. But in a world that cheers on a good time and shrugs off a bad habit, how do you know when you've crossed the line?

We live in a time where Craft beer festivals and cannabis dispensaries dot our neighborhoods. Where "wine mom" is a badge of honor and "microdosing" is the latest productivity hack. It's easy to get caught up in the wave of acceptance and tell ourselves, "I'm fine. Everyone's doing it."

But there's a subtle, insidious shift that happens when substance use stops being social and starts being survival. When the drinks pour a little too easily, when the joint gets lit a little too often, when the pills become more than just an occasional escape. That's when the laughter fades and the loneliness creeps in.

For me, hitting rock bottom looked like a string of failed relationships, a job I could barely hold onto, and a deep, gnawing anxiety that followed me sober. It looked like mornings where I couldn't remember how I got home, and nights where I couldn't imagine getting through without a drink, hit or pill.

Getting sober wasn't a lightbulb moment, it was a slow, painful realization that I couldn't keep living like this. It meant swallowing a thick swallow of pride and admitting I needed help. It meant therapy, support groups, and a whole lot of soul-searching. But I know that's not the only path. For some, it's about reducing harm – cutting down, finding safer ways to use, getting support without quitting cold turkey. That's valid too.

Recovery isn't a straight line. It's a messy, winding road with plenty of potholes and U-turns. There are days where sobriety feels like a badge of honor, and days where it feels like a cruel punishment. But the alternative – going back to that dark, lonely place – that's unthinkable.

Here's what I've learned along the way:

• You can't pour from an empty cup. Self-care isn't selfish, it's essential. That means good sleep, good food, and good people around you. Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of substance use disorders, so prioritize those z's!
• Ask for help. Therapy, support groups, sober communities – don't be proud. These people get it in a way no one else can. Social support is a key predictor of success in recovery.
• Find your why. What makes you want to be sober? Is it your health, your relationships, your sanity? Whatever it is, hold onto it like a liferaft.
• Celebrate the wins. 30 days, 60 days, 6 months – those are milestones worth cheering. Recognizing small victories boosts motivation and self-efficacy.
• Don't be too hard on yourself. Relapse isn't failure, it's a detour. Get back up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. Relapse rates for addiction are similar to those of other chronic illnesses, so treat yourself with the same compassion you'd give a friend.

The most surprising thing about getting sober? It's not boring. It's not missing out. It's the opposite, actually. It's seeing the world in vivid color, feeling feelings fully, experiencing life without a filter.

Substance use disorders are not a moral failing. It's time we start treating them that way. It's time we offer compassion, not judgment, to those struggling. Because the truth is, more of us are struggling than you might think. And with the right support, all of us can recover and improve our lives, happiness and future.

If you're struggling with substance use, here are some resources that helped me:

• National Substance Use Helpline
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Smart Recovery
• Harm Reduction Coalition
• Celebrate Recovery
• Codependents Anonymous
• Since Right Now (podcast)
• The Sobriety Collective (blog)
• Recovery Elevator (blog)

And hey, if you're sober and want to grab a coffee, juice, or Lotus energy drink – I'm buying. ☕️-Belle-

Meth-Induced Psychosis: When the High Goes Horribly Wrong

Warning: This post contains descriptions of drug use and psychosis that may be triggering for some readers.

You've heard the horror stories. The meth addict who ripped their own teeth out because bugs were crawling under their skin. The user who stabbed themselves to remove the imaginary spikes embedded in their arm. Meth-induced psychosis: it's the stuff of urban legends and your worst nightmares.

But what is it, really? And how does it happen?

Meth 101: Spinning', Stimming', and Losing Your Damn Mind

Methamphetamine, aka crystal, ice, or just plain ol' meth, is a powerful stimulant that hijacks your brain's reward system. It floods your noodle with dopamine, making you feel like you can take on the world...at first. But meth is like that bad boyfriend/girlfriend – it seems great at first, but things go downhill fast. It's like a rollercoaster ride straight to hell, with paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations waiting for you at the end.

As the high wears off, things take a dark turn. You're left feeling drained, anxious, and paranoid as hell. That's when the psychosis can kick in. It's like your brain has become a funhouse mirror, distorting everything and making you see and believe things that just ain't true. You start to lose grip on what's real and what's just a creation of your tweaked-out brain.

Psychosis: When Reality Goes Out the Window

Psychosis means losing touch with reality. For meth users, this can mean hearing voices that aren't there, seeing bugs burrowing under your skin, or becoming convinced that the cops (or aliens, or both) are out to get you. Imagine living in a constant state of fear, where you can't trust your own senses. That's what psychosis is like. It's like being trapped in a never-ending horror movie, with no way to hit the pause button.

Your Brain on Psychosis

So, what's actually going on in that noggin of yours when you're in the grip of psychosis? Well, meth messes with your brain chemistry big time. It blocks the breakdown of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates pleasure, motivation, and motor control. But it also dysregulates other neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which control mood and arousal. It's like throwing a wrench into the works of your brain's delicate machinery.

Imagine your brain is a city, with different neighborhoods (i.e., different brain regions) communicating with each other. Meth is like a riot that breaks out, causing those neighborhoods to get their wires crossed. Signals get misinterpreted, and suddenly you're hearing voices or seeing things that aren't really there. It's like your brain is playing a sick prank on you.

The Bad News and the Worse News

The bad news? Meth can trigger psychosis in anyone, even if you've never had mental health issues before. It's like playing a twisted game of neurological roulette – you never know when the hammer will fall. Some people might be more prone to it due to genetics or past trauma, but anyone who uses meth is rolling the dice.

The worse news? For some people, the psychosis doesn't stop when they stop using. It can linger for weeks, months, or even years after they've kicked the habit. That's because meth does serious damage to your brain, kind of like taking a sledgehammer to a delicate vase. It can cause long-term changes to your brain structure and function, making it harder to recover.

How to Help Someone in Crisis

You're not a doctor, but you can still be a decent human. Here's how to support someone who's struggling with psychosis:

• Don't try to be their doctor. Unless you have an MD, stay away from armchair diagnoses. Get them to a real doctor, stat. A mental health professional can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
• Validate their feelings. Telling someone that the lizard people aren't real might seem logical, but it won't calm them down. Let them know that you understand they're scared and that their feelings are real to them.
• Stay calm. Easier said than done, but freaking out will only make things worse. Imagine you're in a room with a spooked horse – you gotta be the calm horse.
• Encourage them to get help. A combo of therapy and meds can help them climb out of that dark hole. Offer to drive them to appointments or help them find resources. Let them know they're not alone and that you're there to support them.

The Road Back: Is Recovery Possible?

Yeah, it's a long haul, but people can and do recover from meth-induced psychosis. It takes time, patience, and a solid support system. With the right treatment and a lot of self-care, it is possible to rebuild your life and your brain. That means therapy to work through your issues, meds to stabilize your mood, and healthy habits like good sleep, exercise, and nutrition. It's like training for a marathon – it ain't easy, but the finish line is worth it.

The Takeaway: Your Brain is a Terrible Thing to Waste

Meth might seem like a good time in the moment, but the risk of psychosis makes it a hard pass. Your brain is your most valuable asset – don't let some crappy drug turn it into mush. You only get one brain, so try and treat it with some respect.

• If you're struggling with addiction, hit up a helpline like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
• If you're in the middle of a psychotic episode (or think someone else is), call 911 or your local emergency number.

Stay safe out there, folks. Your brain will thank you.-Belle-