Recovery: Why it Is Important to Share Your Story

Amanda completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Post Masters Certification in Psychiatry at Florida Atlantic University. She is a current member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and the Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society. Your sobriety date is the midpoint of your story, the point at which addiction became a recovery. Of course, those of us who look back at our lives in addiction and recovery will often recall that recovery was something of an uphill battle at first. That is why you should also remember when telling your story to note the very first time you tookStep One. With this time frame in mind, the next step in telling your story is to determine which aspects of your past are the most important. You are, after all, telling a story about addiction and recovery.

If you’re not sure how to start, read on — we can help. Aaron Ball serves as the Director of Nursing for Renewal Lodge. He has been an Registered Nurse for 12 years and has worked in many different specialties. He has spent the last 5 years working across the entire spectrum of the substance abuse treatment field and has found a passion for working with those that struggle with addiction and alcoholism. His own personal experience with recovery has granted him a unique and valuable perspective that allows him to serve this patient population most effectively. Chance Lippert serves as the Director of Recovery Services at Renewal Lodge. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern and Certified Mindfulness In Recovery Facilitator.

Jessica’s Story: We Can All Recover

Be real about the fact that recovery is one of the biggest life challenges someone will endure. The person may have heard about people relapsing after treatment, and it’s all right to acknowledge this. Just be sure to let them know of all the success stories and how the people who used the tools provided by treatment had better chances of long-term recovery. As a community outreach professional for addiction treatment, I know that convincing individuals to take such an important step to get help can be difficult. However, if you have your own story of addiction and recovery, appropriately sharing that experience with your clients can resonate deeply.

• The process can be a bit nerve wracking but is ultimately rewarding and fulfilling.
• Sharing your story and your knowledge helps to foster understanding and compassion surrounding substance use disorder.
• A proud father, Peter and his wife count six dogs amongst their family members.
• Let people know when you gave your life over to sobriety, and why.
• Keep in mind you must have an idea regarding which parts of your personal history are most important and which can be left out.

Individuals can remember this rule by mainly sharing “I” statements — ensuring the focus remains on you. Sharing your recovery story isn’t easy, but it’s a necessary part of the sharing your story in recovery healing process. At Roots Recovery, we’ll walk you through how to handle these tough conversations and help you find the best way to move forward in your unique situation.

Mental health conditions

At Canyon Vista Recovery Center, located in Mesa, Arizona, trained professionals are waiting to help you begin your journey down the path to recovery. Give us a call and learn how to achieve your goal of living a clean and sober life.

Hopefully, the following article will imbue you with a sense of how best to balance these aspects when sharing your tale with others who are in recovery. But never forget that this is your story, and it is ultimately up to you how you choose to tell it. Cynthia Singer serves as a Primary Counselor for Renewal Lodge. She has a Master’s of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Sciences in Family Studies and Human Services from Kansas State University. Cynthia is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and is EMDR trained. Cynthia utilizes the therapeutic modalities of CBT, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, and Solution Focused Therapy. Her passion is being a catalyst for change within her clients as they pursue their recovery and other therapeutic endeavors.

Medical Director, Board Certified in Addiction Medicine

I ended up drinking two days early, and that set off a decade long journey that eventually brought me to a point where I feared living more than dying. I discovered gambling along the way which undoubtedly sped my decline, as I eventually began embezzling money from my employer in order to get what I needed – my fix.

When people share in AA or NA, they go over their addiction and what it was like, what happened and what it’s like now. Sharing stories can help people bond with each other, work through personal lows and highs, destigmatize and help serve as inspiration for listeners. Whatever the goal, it’s still essential to understand concerns about oversharing or speaking about substance abuse in the wrong light.