Roc & Doc get to the heart of recovery in this episode.
Kolmac Integrated Behavioral Health Center Counselor Rennie Grant (Roc) and Psychiatrist Dr. Tony Massey (Doc) answer your questions about addiction and recovery.
The word “recovery” in the context of addiction can mean a variety of things. But what is it really? This episode deals with a question from Fred L: “I just finished my 28-day inpatient and chose to return to work and not to join an aftercare program. I feel great, I don’t want to use, and I just want to return to a normal life. Why are my sober network friends telling me I need to ‘get into recovery’? What does that even mean?”
As a word, “recovery” seems to mean simply getting back what was lost. But a robust view of recovery is not simply about removing negative things; it’s also about adding positive things to your life. It’s more than getting back to where you once where; it’s living beyond what once was and achieving goals and dreams that would never be accessible in active addiction.
This 10-minute video is worth watching in its entirety. There’s valuable information and helpful illustrations to help you on the path to living your best life ever.
What is recovery talking points (summary):
- “From a physiological perspective, healing begins when you stop putting toxic substances into your body. That’s a good thing. You eventually get past the threshold of illness.” But that’s just the beginning.
- “It’s one thing to not use when you’re off and away from your usual surroundings in an inpatient environment. But when you leave and go back home, usual stresses return. Now you have to face the reality of those usual stresses.” A lifestyle of recovery helps you deal with stresses in new ways.
- “In recovery, you’re putting yourself around others who are experienced in recovery. Generally, people tend to relapse unless they engage with others.” Recovery is a lifestyle and positive life self-actualization.
- “Recovery happens in community. Recovery takes ongoing work.”