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When Rock Bottom Has a Basement: A Real Talk About Community-Based Recovery in Wisconsin


When Rock Bottom Has a Basement: A Real Talk About Community-Based Recovery in Wisconsin

Let's face it - if you're reading this, you're probably not having your best day. Maybe you're the one fighting the battle, maybe you're watching someone you love wage war with addiction, or maybe you're a professional wondering why your coffee maker isn't dispensing vodka yet. Wherever you're at, pull up a chair. We need to talk about something that's actually working in the world of recovery: community-based support.

"But wait," you say, "isn't community support just a fancy term for awkward church basement meetings and stale cookies?" Not anymore, friends. Not anymore.

The Revolution Is Local (And It's Not Taking Insurance)

Here in Wisconsin, we're doing something different. While the rest of the country is still arguing about whether addiction is a moral failing or a disease (spoiler alert: it's neither - it's more like that one relative who shows up uninvited and refuses to leave), we're building a recovery ecosystem that actually makes sense.


Take WisHope Recovery Center, for example. Founded by Peter Brunzelle, a guy who's actually been there (yes, really), WisHope was created because, as Brunzelle puts it, "there wasn't a place where one could go for treatment that supported multiple pathways to recovery." Translation: They figured out that not everyone gets sober the same way. Mind-blowing, right?

The Northern Woods Are Getting Wiser

Up in the Northwoods (where the bears are more understanding than some therapists), things are changing. Vilas County and its neighbors are rolling out innovative programs faster than you can say "just one more time." Here's what's actually working:

  1. The New Digital Frontier
    Remember when we thought technology was just for doom-scrolling and drunk-texting our exes? Well, Oneida County just launched CredibleMind, a 24/7 online mental health platform that's actually free. Yes, FREE. As in, costs nothing. As in, you can get help without selling your kidney on the black market.

  2. Community Support Programs (CSP)
    These aren't your grandmother's support groups. Modern CSPs offer coordinated professional care that treats you like a whole person, not just a collection of poor life choices. Revolutionary, I know.

  3. Recovery Housing Revolution
    Wisconsin's using $2 million in opioid settlement money for recovery housing. Because apparently, having a safe place to live is kind of important for staying sober. Who knew?

For the Families (Because Y'all Need Help Too)

Let's be real - watching someone you love battle addiction is like watching someone try to parallel park for three hours. It's painful, it's frustrating, and you desperately want to take the wheel but can't.

The good news? Wisconsin's community-based recovery programs are finally including family support that doesn't suck. WisHope, for instance, integrates family programming because they understand that addiction is a family disease (like male pattern baldness, but with more drama).

For the Professionals (Put Down Your DSM-5 for a Minute)

Hey there, treatment providers! Yes, you with the eye twitch and the coffee addiction. Wisconsin's community-based approach is changing the game, and here's why you should care:

  • Multiple pathways to recovery are now supported (because shocking as it may be, not everyone's journey looks the same)
  • Integration of mental health and addiction services (because apparently, people can have more than one problem at a time)
  • New resources like CredibleMind that complement existing treatment (and don't require more paperwork - you're welcome)

Breaking Boundaries: Technology Meets Recovery

Enter IGNTD (pronounced "ignited") - a game-changer in the recovery landscape. Founded by Dr. Adi Jaffe, a UCLA-trained psychologist and world-renowned expert on mental health and addiction, this isn't your grandpa's recovery program. Dr. Jaffe, who has personally navigated the challenging path of addiction, created something revolutionary.



The Wisconsin Department of Corrections is turning heads by partnering with IGNTD for Regions 5 and 6 in Northern Wisconsin. Why? Because recovery doesn't clock out at 5 PM. This digital platform provides 24/7 support, breaking down the traditional barriers of treatment accessibility. Clients now have access to personalized tools, group sessions, and individual coaching - all from their phone.  P.S. one of your favorite bloggers just may also be an Accountability Coach for this amazing recovery app and platform to! 

The Stigma Stoppers: Why Community Matters

Let's get real about stigma. It's the invisible monster that keeps people from seeking help. The more we talk, the more we normalize, the more we break down those walls of shame and judgment.

Recovery isn't a linear path. It's not about being perfect. It's about being human. For the person who's been fighting for 25 years, for the newbie terrified of their first meeting, for the family member watching a loved one struggle - we see you. We hear you.

Clinical professionals have a critical role to play. Every dismissive comment, every raised eyebrow, every moment of judgment perpetuates the cycle of shame. But every moment of compassion, every open conversation, every supportive gesture chips away at the stigma.

Community-Based Recovery: Your Turn

Here's where you come in. We want to create the most comprehensive list of community-based recovery resources EVER. So we're asking:

What recovery resources exist in YOUR community?

Drop them in the comments. Share them on social media. Tag us. Create a thread. Whether it's:

  • Local support groups
  • Online communities
  • Workplace wellness programs
  • Faith-based recovery initiatives
  • Peer support networks
  • Innovative digital platforms

If it helps people heal, we want to know about it.

The Bottom Line (Because We All Need One)

Recovery isn't just about stopping the use of substances - it's about building a life worth staying sober for. Wisconsin's community-based approach is doing just that, one person, one family, and one slightly dysfunctional but well-meaning community at a time.

Need Help? (Because We All Do Sometimes)

  • Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline: 211
  • CredibleMind Oneida County: oneidacountywi.crediblemind.com
  • WisHope Recovery: wishoperecovery.com
  • Crisis Line: 988 (Because sometimes you need to talk to someone who isn't your cat)

Remember, recovery is like Wisconsin weather - if you don't like what's happening right now, wait five minutes. It might get worse, but eventually, it has to get better.

And hey, if you're still reading this, you're already doing better than you think. Keep going. We're rooting for you, even if we're doing it awkwardly and from a distance.-Belle- 

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