Little Commitments to Recovery Add Up

Posted on October 23, 2011 by paulascimeca

Little installments of solid commitments to recovery add up over time.  In fact, repeatedly engaging in even small increments of time exclusively devoted to recovery serve to propel you forward in a positive direction.

Make a commitment to devote at least two minutes, a mere one hundred twenty seconds upon arising to reflect upon the coming twenty-four hours.  Review the day to come and create sandwiches of support for yourself around difficult tasks.  For example, if you have an important interview at ten o’clock sharp, plan to make a phone call to your sponsor or another supportive person both before and after the interview.  Utter a simple prayer to your Higher Power or the universe that you handle whatever transpires with acceptance, grace and dignity.  Realize that no matter what happens, the most important thing is that you stay on the path of recovery. 

Remember that “luck” is the intersection of preparation and opportunity, and that neither adequate preparation nor an abundance of worthwhile opportunities are possible for you if you enter into the throes of active addiction.  Uninterrupted recovery does coax “luck” and other good things, like healthy relationships, to move in your direction.

Paula

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Evaluating Your Recovery Capitol

Posted on October 16, 2011 by paulascimeca

No matter what your past was comprised of yesterday or a few years back, there are an infinite number of opportunities available to you every day to break away from what is not in your best interests.  Whether you are new to living a recovery lifestyle, or you are continuing to buff and polish life skills which have supported your uninterrupted recovery for decades, TODAY is a day full of hope and promise.

So just how much recovery capitol have you accumulated?  Are you continuing to pay premiums into your recovery investment?  Now is an excellent time to take stock.  Have you more than a handful of people who support and encourage your recovery efforts, such as a sponsor, peers in your home group, friends and family members?  Do you acknowledge the support these people give you or just take for granted that it will always be there?  Do you have a home group and a commitment to provide service to that group?  Commitments are as simple and painless as greeting people who walk through the door at your meeting.

Actions speak volumes regarding the direction we are headed.  It is nearly impossible to be moving towards recovery and away from addiction if your toes never point in the direction of recovery related activities such as meetings and mingling with other like-minded individuals.

Tally up the amount of time you spent over the past week in speaking to peers in recovery, either face-to-face or over the phone.  We can determine a lot about ourselves as well as others by the way we spend the minutes that make up our daily existence.  Take good care of your recovery capitol today by making time for this valuable endeavor.  It will stand you in good stead going forward for hopefully many years to come.

Paula

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What Does Recovery Look Like?

Posted on October 9, 2011 by paulascimeca

A little over a year ago, I had the privilege of attending some Recovery Month events which were sponsored by the Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery (MAAR).  Hundreds gathered in Augusta, Maine from every walk of life; representatives of every conceivable age group.   Needless to say, the stories of redemption and recovery from addiction were truly inspiring and unforgettable.

Having been invited to lead one of the many events offered, I renewed old acquaintances and forged new alliances.  While I was unable to take any of the people home with me to New York, I received the next best takeaway: a bright sapphire blue commemorative tee-shirt as a souvenir of the day’s events.  Although I have accumulated dozens of shirts from other events, this one stands apart from all the others.  For with huge, bold, white letters, this shirt blasts out for all to see, “THIS Is What Recovery Looks Like.”

What I find most endearing and heartwarming about the shirt is two-fold.  It serves as a constant reminder of friends hundreds of miles away, but still near and dear to my heart.  More importantly, however, it broadcasts to all onlookers that people in recovery are everywhere, indistinguishable from the rest of passers-by. 

Recovery looks like you and me and is rather unremarkable in appearance.  That is unless you stood by and witnessed the devastation addiction delivers to a loved one or colleague.  To those individuals who stood on the firing line any length of time with the afflicted, and are then blessed with the oppotunity to witness recovery blossom beyond its initial phase, the vision of their loved one certainly morphs into a vision quite extraordinary.

National Recovery Month 2011 is now passed, yet the memories live on for as long as there is breath in each attendee.  Regardless, or maybe directly because of National Recovery Month, we must always remember that every individual has the capacity to overcome addiction. 

Paula

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Considerations Prior to Public Disclosure of Recovery Status

Posted on October 2, 2011 by paulascimeca

Last week we explored discretion being the better form of valor and how it applies to disclosure on a public level regarding addiction recovery status.

Here is a brief list of considerations that might be helpful to reflect upon prior to public disclosure:

  1.  What is the quality and quantity of your recovery?  Typically the yardstick by which we measure cancer recovery is five years of continuous remission without recurrence.  This may serve as a milestone for some prior to public disclosure of their recovery status.
  2. Are you a licensed healthcare professional?  If so, disclosure might have a professional impact at some point.  Legislation at state and federal levels is always changing and is further impacted by court decisions.  Thus it may be wise to take extra care in making a decision to disclose publicly. 
  3. What is your motivation to disclose?  Possibly it is to offer hope to others that they, too, can maintain recovery uninterrupted, year in and year out.  Of course, it may be ego-driven, in which case it is good to consider that “Pride goeth before the fall.”
  4. What is your expectation after public disclosure?  If you have no expectation other than feeling you did your part to offer inspiration to others, and will not be negatively impacted by such a disclosure, you might be on the right track.

In summary, the only cardinal rules regarding public disclosure might be to follow the adage, “When in doubt, don’t” and to certainly be sure that your own house is in order.

Paula

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Balancing Disclosure With Discretion

Posted on September 25, 2011 by paulascimeca

As National Recovery Month activities (celebrations) get into full swing across the country, sweeping testimonies to the power of long term recovery come into the spotlight.  For countless individuals, these stories bring much needed hope that achieving and maintaining recovery from addiction is possible, in spite of any situation or circumstance one may be in.

Many in long term recovery, however, contemplate whether they have the courage to come forward publicly as members of the recovery community.  Surely anyone who is familiar with mainstream society has witnessed the stigma that often accompanies addiction.  Although there has been widespread support of addiction recovery from such notable figures as Oprah Winfrey and President Obama proclaimed September as National Recovery Month this past August, the fact is that some individuals still experience bias and prejudice for having the disease of addiction, even if it is in remission for decades.

In an age when tabloid headlines cry out about celebrities entering treatment and continuing a downward spiral due to ongoing alcohol or other drug use, many scoffers of addiction recovery interpret that as evidence that people just don’t recover.  If they do see any prominent displays of recovery, they often misinterpret that as a temporary happenstance, soon to be followed by re-engaging in substance use.

Surely the quote “Discretion is the better part of valor” applies to any individual’s elective decision to disclose their history of substance use or recovery.  As the quote suggests, it is good to exhibit valor and bravery and if you are careful, you will not find yourself in as many situations which require bravery.

Not to ponder potential fall-out to disclosure would be uncharacteristic of typical behaviors we have come to know as compatible with recovery, such as thinking things through and  discussing things with key members of one’s support group prior to proceeding. 

Next week’s blog will itemize a few things to consider prior to public disclosure of recovery status.

Paula

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Strategic Preventive Initiative Launched in Rhode Island

Posted on September 24, 2011 by paulascimeca

While you may not have felt the earth tremble, the launch of the Rhode Island Nurses’ Association Substance Abuse Prevention Program on September 23rd created what may ultimately prompt a seismic shift in the minds and hearts of Rhode Island nurses.  The state-of-the-art toolkit unveiled in Providence was designed with the lofty goal of preventing substance use disorders in nurses. 

Rather than utilizing the passive approach of merely identifying and responding to nurses with such disorders, the components of the toolkit are aimed at identification and reduction of risky behaviors and situations in nurses and student nurses prior to the advent of any serious difficulties with substance use.

The event featured a screening of the unforgettable DVD produced by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, titled “About Wellness” as well as presentations from three dynamic nurses who were vital to the formation of the program.  Having been invited to wrap-up the day’s activities placed me at the epicenter of an endeavor which in this writer’s opinion is long overdue since over fifty percent of nurses with a substance use disorder identify that the issue began during or prior to nursing school.  (Coleman, 1997.)

As nurses, we are graced with many opportunities to witness “light-bulb moments” we have provoked in our patients through health education; instances of crystal clarity which generate an “AH-HA!” flash in the eyes of those we care for.  Being able to partake in this monumental venture and watch numerous light-bulbs flash through the minds of those in attendance was truly a privilege I will always remember.  

Paula

Coleman, E. A., Honeycutt, G., Ogden, B., McMillan, D. E., O’Sullivan, P. S., Light, K., & Wingfield, W.  (1997).  Assessing substance abuse among health care student and the efficacy of educational interventions.  Journal of Professional Nursing, 13(1), 28-37.

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Gotta Believe

Posted on September 18, 2011 by paulascimeca

One of my favorite movies is the original version of the movie “Miracle on 34thStreet.”  The most captivating scene for me was the one where Natalie Woods was chewing her bubble gum after she taught Santa how to blow a bubble.  In return, he tutored her on believing that he could deliver what she wanted for Christmas.  After he left her room, she recited over and over with the most “doubtful Thomas” expression I have ever seen, “I believe… (chew, chew)… “I believe”… (chew, chew)… I believe.”

Even though I remain convinced that a pre-requisite to recovery from addiction is HOPE, without an accompanying element of BELIEF that it is truly possible to achieve, recovery is unsustainable.

When I learn anything that I have yet to accomplish, whether it is walking, talking, swimming, jumping rope, learning to read or passing nursing boards, I have had a BELIEF that I could actually do it.  As difficult as any new challenge seems, it has always been BELIEF that has preceded my ability to actually accomplish anything.

Hope is all around us, in the growing volume of stories of recovery available to us.  We need only look for them and recognize them.  We need to encourage and appreciate these stories recovery; the strength, hope and experience.  Ah!  But to BELIEVE, to begin that process, I must suspend my doubt, view myself as a human being with the same potential for positive growth as anyone who has gone before and proved that my doubt is unfounded.

Listen to the television clip attached to this link http://tinyurl.com/3kh2w45 for a brief synopsis of one nurse’s story of addiction recovery featured in the book, “From Unbecoming A Nurse To Overcoming Addiction.”

Maybe the next time you hear that nagging voice of doubt sucking the determination and courage out of you, you will remember Natalie Woods, chewing her gum, being doubtful and mistrusting, yet chanting over and over, “I BELIEVE… I BELIEVE… I BELIEVE.”  Maybe you will think of the nurse who lost so much during her first three years in recovery, yet BELIEVED she could continue on in recovery in spite of her grief and loss and is now celebrating her 20th continuous year clean and sober. 

Paula

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Contingency Planning Boosts the Odds of Uninterrupted Recovery

Posted on September 11, 2011 by paulascimeca

When a tsunami struck an island several months back, a comparison was portrayed of two villages with distinctly different outcomes: one which sustained no fatalities and the other which was totally wiped out.  The lack of casualties in the one village was noted by one of its surviving residents as directly related to the careful contingency planning that all villagers engaged in regularly, including routine evacuation drills.

As addiction recovery is a lifelong process which requires successfully navigating through all of life’s possible conditions and terrains, it is vital to prepare and plan for the likelihood of events which typically occur as we age.  Since the risk of accidental injury or the occurrence of a medical condition are more likely as we get older and such circumstances may be accompanied by symptoms of pain, it is wise to plan ahead in order to deal most effectively with such situations. 

It is noteworthy that physician groups such as Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) are beginning educational campaigns to arm the public with pertinent facts regarding the risk of addiction to potent mood-altering prescription medications.  According to information available on PROP’s website, www.ResponsibleOpioidPrescribing.org , research studies indicate that the aberrant use of legitimately prescribed pain relievers is as high as 43% in chronic back pain patients who are prescribed opiates.  With an average of 28% of back pain patients displaying aberrant use of their prescribed medication and no indication that any of these individuals had previous addictive disorders in their history, it seems best that all people, but especially those in recovery who have a known history of risk, should be forewarned.

Addiction professionals with expertise in pain management are excellent resources to consult with regarding pain control early-on to identify options which do not endanger hard-won recovery efforts.  Better yet, many individuals in recovery are opting to consult with addiction professionals prior to any indicated need for pain relief in order to develop a detailed plan of action in the event pain becomes an issue at some time in the future.

Surely everyone in recovery is worth the few minutes of time that is necessary to develop a contingency plan which may mean the difference between the continuation of a life beyond their wildest dreams and revisiting a life beyond their most horrific nightmares and regrets. 

So plan ahead for the very best of outcomes as we have all heard stories about people who fail to plan.

Paula

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Uninterrupted Addiction Recovery Really is Possible

Posted on September 4, 2011 by paulascimeca

The grassroots of the 12-Step movement is quickly nearing the century mark.  This means that the reality of addiction recovery utilizing these self-help programs has been present for longer than most of us have been alive. 

Though the infancy of AA and similar fellowships were clearly marked by struggle, trial and error, the stewardship of the original members and support of powerful public figures such as Rockefeller proved sufficient to perpetuate the movement that is credited with achieving numerous recoveries among even the most desperate, seemingly hopeless cases. 

Way back then and even today, many have recovered, without ever experiencing any interruption in remission of the disease.  Unfortunately over the years, the field of addiction has become littered with the concept that addiction is a “relapsing condition.”  In fairness to the community of individuals who are in recovery, and especially those in need of recovery from addiction, this notion has contaminated the very hope which remains a vital ingredient in achieving wellness. 

With a growing array of powerful agencies and well-respected individuals overemphasizing the obvious – that remission from the chronic, progressive neurobiological condition of addiction cannot be guaranteed any more than permanent recovery from any other chronic condition – the embers of the disease can more easily be fanned into flickering flames.

As William White has so astutely noted, relapse is not a part of recovery.  Yet, in spite of his eloquent and prolific writing on this very matter, the notion of addiction as a “relapsing condition” has been underscored by  some well-known agencies and well-respected individuals at every opportunity.

While there is no doubt that addiction is a chronic, progressive, neurobiological condition which cannot be permanently eradicated from anyone once afflicted, and that ongoing vigilance and maintenance practices are absolutely essential to maintain a state of recovery without interruption, the term “relapse” should not be allowed to eclipse the possibility of continuous recovery.

After all, where would thousands of cancer survivors be today if they were fed a steady diet of cancer as a recurring disease?  Thus it seems that, once again, a gross injustice has been leveled at those afflicted with the disease of addiction; an underhanded blow that undermines the very essence of hope.

As EVERY recovery can be nurtured into a one-day-at-a-time span which endures, uninterrupted, until the final breath, it seems best to confront those groups and individuals.  Please let them know that you believe that addiction survivors have as much of a right to have the disease of addiction profiled without any undue emphasis placed on the fact that recovery comes with no guarantee of permanent remission.

Paula

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Join the 22nd National Recovery Month Celebration!

Posted on August 31, 2011 by paulascimeca

We live in an age of sensationalism, confronted with endless bits of information from public media competing fiercely for our attention.  While reporters swarm over celebrities and other individuals caught in public scandal, those in the headlines are not the only casualties if alcohol and other drugs are involved.

Hope is fundamental to achieving any difficult feat.  As anyone who has ever been afflicted with addiction will readily attest, overcoming addiction ranks at the top of the list in its degree of difficulty. 

Yet each day the hope of those in recovery, and those in search of recovery, is assaulted by headlines which depict the downfall of the famous and well-connected, the obscure and the notorious, due to alcohol and other drug use.  Rarely if ever are these headlines countered with the other side of the equation: the countless individuals going about the various mundane or amazing tasks of daily living while remaining steadfast in their abstinence of mood-altering substances.

To counter the proliferation of broadcasting which dashes, rather than plants, seeds of hope for addiction recovery, I wrote “From Unbecoming A Nurse to Overcoming Addiction: Candid Self-Portraits of Nurses in Recovery.”

Additionally, I’ll celebrate this September as the 22nd year we have recognized September as National Recovery Month.  The aim of National Recovery Month is to educate Americans that addiction is preventable, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. 

Please join me along with the 140 federal, state and local government entities, as well as non-profit organizations and associations, in supporting the Recovery Month initiative.  For more information, visit http://www.recoverymonth.gov/

Paula

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