This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Faces of Drug Addiction Recovery: Our Parents, Children and Friends

What a powerful experience to watch people learn to believe in themselves again, becoming able to find a place in the world, going back to school or becoming employable.

The month of September was proclaimed “NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH” by the president of the United States, Barack Obama.

I can ask one thousand children what they dream of being when they grow up and not one will say “I want to grow up and be an alcoholic or a drug addict.”

Depending on the age group, they will say a doctor, ballerina and maybe even president!

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The faces of recovery are those of our fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, family and friends. They are people who struggle to their change their lives and regain hope for their future. They are doctors, lawyers, construction workers and are productive members of our community.

Alcohol and drug addiction is an illness that gradually creeps up silently on a person, like a thief in the night stealing someone’s self-worth and destroying their life. At first it may begin as an experimental phase and maybe even peer pressure will play a role in young teen experiences. There are those individuals who are genetically predisposed, however; many individuals develop this illness without a family history of the disease.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At first many feel euphoria and convincing them they are outgoing, brave, not hurting anyone except themselves and how wonderful they feel. Addicts become dependent and obsessed upon that feeling—while others without the disease of addiction are able to step away from the drugs or the bottle without ruining their lives.

They will continue to use their drug of choice more often and more frequently to reach that same euphoric feeling once more. The cycle will often lead to harder drugs and sometimes combining more than one drug. There is now scientific proof that addiction is in the same category as diabetes.

The whole neurological, chemical and emotional being of an addict or an alcoholic has become permanently disordered. An addict or an alcoholic has developed a very, very severe disease that without treatment will lead to death. An addict cannot stop without some type treatment.

The true definition of addiction is a compulsive physiological and psychological need for an addictive substance.  Addiction is a condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something, as well. Often substances have addictive qualities in them which make them habit forming. Yet, people can get addicted to many things: race cars, purses, shopping, gambling including drugs and alcohol.

Recent scientific studies based on new neuroscience (brain) research strongly indicates that drugs and alcohol are causing the brain’s pleasure pathway to be affected by all addictions, particularly in the pharmacological qualities of euphoria, craving and a theoretical concept of “drugs.”

The obsession and impulse “cravings” to whatever substance that overwhelms an addict is not a free choice.  In addition to problem drinking or using drugs, the disease is characterized by symptoms including an impaired control over alcohol or drugs, compulsive thoughts about alcohol or drugs, and distorted thinking.

This type of “craving” is said to be an electro-chemical neurological brain impulse.  

These cravings will become a detriment to an addicts own life, and the lives of others around him.  

This may until continue until it destroys a person spiritually, physically and morally. Addiction can drag a human into the depths of despair and hopelessness. To an addict that is suffering from a physical, neurological disease this battle for their lives often destroys the families who love them, as well. The trauma and stigma that society places on these families often makes it hard for a parent and loved one to find support.

As parents and loved ones minimize, hope, or begin rationalizing that the problem might somehow be overcome by more modest measures is wishful thinking. The hard truth is that addiction will never go away without intervention of some kind.

Although, the first step towards recovery and maybe the hardest for many who choose recovery.  Not using alcohol and drugs just for one day at a time. Many end up jails, institutions or maybe a rehabilitation center. The battle is all too often lost by many… Our children, our loved ones and friends are dying of accidental overdoses at an alarming rate.  

What I have learned is that: Recovery is possible.

The transformation begins to slowly take place and a new way of life has begun to take form. This is a new journey and often a struggle within oneself. When people are new in recovery they find others like themselves, that have also been hopeless, helpless and lost! Recovering addicts that have found a new way of life, and have the willingness to change, accept responsibility for their actions.

By facing and resolving these deepest anxieties, the healing within them begins.

Gradually, they learn to solve conflicts and deal with normal life issues without the use of drugs and alcohol. As years go by, they begin to become productive members of today’s society and are often willing to share their experience, strengths and hope with those new in recovery.  

The day to day struggles to live “life on life’s terms” rather than on drugs and alcohol is nothing short of a miracle. I have seen the struggles of many addicts. I have seen tragedy that follows when the battle is lost to an accidental overdose. The devastation that follows when family members worry and anger, suddenly turns to heartbreaking grief.

I know because I received the call on February 8, 2005, that my 18-year-old daughter, Candice, was in the E.R. due to an accidental drug overdose. She had been in and out of recovery and group homes battling her addiction. I was devastated and never did I expect her to pass away. Candice lost her battle on February 15, 2005.

I have also witnessed the transformation of a person’s entire spirit and the wonderful lives they have built clean and sober. What a powerful experience to watch people learn to believe in themselves again, becoming able to find a place in the world, going back to school or becoming employable. The greater gifts that are given in recovery are the relationships with people that had been damaged that were once thought irreparable. Families are slowly reunited and often the healing can begin.

If you, or someone you know, is in need of support you can always find help at these links. You’re not alone! http://local.soberrecovery.com/Alcoholics_Anonymous_San_Diego_CA-r1298527-San_Diego_CA.html

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=211+san+diego&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35   

Last September I celebrated recovery month with A NEW PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing) http://www.anewpathsite.org/ at the 7th Annual “The Strut for Sobriety” 2011! This fundraiser was a luncheon, auction and an amazing fashion show by Gretchen Productions.

The money raised helps continue their mission reducing the stigma associated with addictive illness through education and compassionate support and to advocate for therapeutic rather than punitive drug policies.

A New Path honored several members of the community with honoree and recovery awards for their amazing lives. This was an inspirational, heartwarming and fun event. I want to Thank Gretchen Bergman for allowing me to attend such a wonderful event and her continuing support.

This month they have put out a “Faces of Recovery Calendarhttp://www.anewpathsite.org/FacesofRecoverypage.html This calendar is a wonderful collection of 13 people who have remarkably changed their lives. Graciously, they are sharing their life stories in order to help others understand the devastation of the disease and the miraculous reality of recovery.

This is A NEW PATH’s eighth edition of the "Faces of Recovery" Calendar and is a very visual example that treatment works and recovery is possible. We are proud to see it hanging in homes and offices throughout San Diego County as well as nationwide.

September, and every month, recovering addicts should celebrate their successes. As quoted in his statement and as the President’s proclamation outlines, this month serves as an opportunity to recognize how successful recovery from addiction is possible:

“Recovering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs takes strength, faith, and commitment.  Men and women in recovery showcase the power each of us holds to transform ourselves, our families, and our communities.  As people share their stories and celebrate the transformative power of recovery, they also help dispel myths and stigmas surrounding substance abuse and offer hope for lifestyles free from alcohol and other drugs.”  Barack Obama.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?