The Response Winter 2020-2021 - 14

FEATURE

Addiction recovery supports happen in various pathways.
And while there is no single definition of recovery, many
people interpret recovery to include complete abstinence.
Still others believe this term is synonymous with remission,
and others associate recovery with quality of life indicators.
One thing is for sure; recovery from substance use disorder
and process addictions is empathic. The Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Commission (SAMHSA) defines
recovery as " a process of change through which individuals
improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives and
strive to reach their full potential. It moves a person from a
place of isolation, hurt and shame to feeling hope, extending
the willingness to help and embracing the moments of
healing. "
In Berks County, hundreds of mutual aid and self-help
support meetings occur on a weekly basis. In the Spring
2020, there was a shift in the way support groups held its
meetings. The onset of COVID-19 and social distancing led
to the closure of gatherings in public places and in-person
meetings. And while social distancing serves as a public health
measure to help curb the spread of COVID-19, it presents
unique challenges to people with alcohol or other substance
use disorders. The disruption to structured schedules and
increased idle time can contribute to a person's anxiety. The
recovery community needed to find alternatives ways to stay
connected and engaged in the recovery process.
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THE RESPONSE // WINTER 2020-2021

The emergence of Zoom meetings and telephone conferencing
have filled in the gap where physical meetings were previously
held. The Council on Chemical collaborated with local
mutual aid support group meeting leaders to publicize local,
state and national self-help meeting websites for individuals
to access support virtually and telephonically. Social media
platforms also provided safe spaces for people to give and
receive support. Technology is increasingly being used to
overcome logistical barriers frequently encountered when
accessing recovery supports.
Also, the Berks Rise Center used its virtual platform to uplift
and celebrate recovery through its #RecoveryOutLoudBerks
Speaker Series. Initially created in recognition of National
Recovery Month, the speaker series continues to shine the
light on the disease of addiction, provide information and
education on pathways to recovery, ignite hope, and decrease
stigma. This public share puts a face to the disease of addiction
and lets viewers know, recovery works.
Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford
University School of Medicine, states, " Every American
is acutely aware of the negative impact of drug and alcohol
addiction; it's impossible to ignore. Yet we have somehow
missed a very positive story about addiction that is right
in front of our nose: Tens of millions of our fellow citizens
come out the other side to live substance-free, healthy and
The Response Winter 2020-2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Response Winter 2020-2021
