The power of an individuals voice during the recovery process can not be underestimated.
Many of us lost our voice when we were in addiction because we were hiding from ourselves
and wearing a mask everywhere we went. Substance use disorder a lot of times is the path a
person takes when they no longer see themselves or their voice as valuable.
Yesterday we took some of our clients to an NA meeting here in North Hollywood. I am
grateful for my oppurtunity as I’m writing this to be the outreach coordinator here because I get
to introduce people to what life looks like in those first moments of sobriety. We take trips to the
movies, beach and more, but when I have an opportunity to bring our clients to to some NA or
A.A. meetings, I’m always grateful.
You see it’s in these rooms that I was able to find my voice and in a lot of cases find me. In
my addiction to alchohol I had grown silent with my truths and isolated myself from the help I
needed. No one could know how bad I was hurting inside until I started sharing my story. The
look on our clients faces at times when we invite them to meetings is a look of confusion being
many have never stepped into a place like that, but than their is usually always that
breakthrough moment.
At yesterday’s meeting, one of our recovery warriors volunteered to walk up to the podium
and microphone and lend his voice introducing himself as an addict in recovery. The powerful
moment in this was that he had never declared himself out loud to be in recovery and now he
was. Not only that he was met with support and listening ears versus judgment and side eye.
It is imperative that us in recovery find safe spaces to be heard and supported. When we do
this, it increases our ability to be successful in our recovery and sobriety journey because we
don’t allow things to build up and we are able to process certain things that need to be
vocalized. Addiction like alcoholism attempts to mute people battling substance use disorder
and make them feel like they will never be heard.
Another valuable point that should not be understated is that when we tell our story, not only
does it help us in our healing process, but it also helps others heal as well. Their is something
that makes one feel secure when they hear that they are not alone. To hear a fellow addict or
alcoholic stand up and say I’ve been through it all, but I was able to recover not only motivated
and inspired others that hear the message, but it also takes away excuses.
I want to encourage anyone reading this to tell your story. We have all faced trauma in the
past and many of us have not unpacked those moments in a way that they no longer cause an
impact on us. Be proactive in finding spaces to be heard so it doesn’t, “build up”. This is
important because for many of us, it was the build up or is the build up that makes us run to the
bottle, pills, etc.
Our goal at Believe detox center is to not only help people recover and get their sobriety
back, but also to help people find their voice, to help them realize again that they are valuable
and needed. We remind them that one day, it’s your story of recovery that is going to inspire
someone too. This is one way we help save eachothers lives in the addiction community. If you
or a loved one needs help finding themselves or voice, contact us today. We are here for you.
We Believe in your Recovery.
