Recovery: It's Not a One-Size-Fits-All Sweater (The Extended Remix)

 

Recovery: It's Not a One-Size-Fits-All Sweater (The Extended Remix)

You know those awful holiday sweaters your aunt insists on knitting for you? The ones with the garish reindeer and itchy yarn? Yeah, traditional recovery approaches can feel like those. Well-meaning, but a poor fit and kinda scratchy.

I'm tired of the "my way or the highway" mentality plaguing the substance abuse treatment world. We've all encountered the zealots: "AA is the only path!" or "Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the devil!" It's enough to make you want to toss your recovery goals out the window and grab a bottle of... well, something.

Here's the thing: we're not all knit from the same yarn. What works for your coworker, your neighbor, or that one guy from that one meeting might not work for you. And that's okay. More than okay – it's essential to understand.

Recovery isn't about surviving; it's about living. It's finding a quality of life that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out (even if you don't have much to spare, like me). It's about reclaiming your sense of humor, your passions, your purpose. And that looks different for everyone.

Professionals, It's Time to Get Creative

We owe it to our clients to think outside the box (or in this case, the sweater). Yes, evidence-based practices are crucial, but there's a wealth of them out there. It's our job to find the approaches that resonate with each individual, even if that means getting a little unconventional.

Case in point: I once had a client who identified as a Satanist. My initial reaction wasn't, "Oh, great, how do I work with this?" But that's exactly what I did. I found Satanic recovery resources (who knew they existed?) and we used those as a framework. It wasn't about my personal beliefs, but about meeting my client where they were.

We must shed our biases and preconceived notions. Our job is to empower clients, not force them into a mold that doesn't fit. That means collaborating with them, really listening to their goals and values, and sometimes getting creative with our approaches.

Clients, You Are Your Best Advocate

Just because you're struggling with addiction doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human. It means you have flaws, trauma, and issues, but also heart, love, resilience, strength, and determination. Don't let anyone, even a well-meaning professional, make you feel otherwise.

You deserve patient-centered care. That means your treatment should revolve around your unique needs, not the other way around. Don't be afraid to speak up, to ask questions, to seek a second opinion. You have the right to a recovery plan that feels authentic and achievable to you.

Recovery is a pizza with endless topping combinations. Sometimes you might want the works, other times a simple cheese slice hits the spot. Maybe you're gluten-intolerant and need a cauliflower crust. The point is, it's your pizza. Put on the toppings that make your recovery journey sustainable and fulfilling.

Professionals, let's take off our judgment hats and put on our curiosity ones. Let's collaborate, learn from each other's approaches, and remember that our client's recovery is their own recipe. It might include bits and pieces from various models, or something entirely new. Who cares, as long as it works for them?

Folks in recovery, don't be afraid to try new things. If something's not working, it's okay to say, "You know what, I need to shake this up." You might need to mix and match, or take a break from the recovery "shoulds" and focus on what brings you joy. Because at the end of the day, that's what sustainable recovery looks like – finding joy, humor, and a life that doesn't feel like an itchy sweater.

So let's raise a (non-alcoholic or not) glass to open-minded recovery. To personality-driven approaches. To collaboration, humor, and remembering that the only "right way" is the one that helps someone reclaim their damn life.

And hey, if someone gives you grief about your recovery approach, just smile and say, "It may not be your cup of tea, but it's my damn pizza."-Belle-