Happiness in Addiction Recovery - A Celebration of National Admit You're Happy Month!

Katie McKenna • Aug 02, 2022

Happiness in Addiction Recovery - A Celebration of National Admit You're Happy Month!

It’s August! Did you know that August is “Admit You’re Happy Month”? 


What would you admit you’re happy about?

Those of us in recovery know what it’s like to get hooked into the toxic and deadly cycle of chasing imitation happiness, in all of its various forms. The way I look at it is that with imitation happiness, you pay a price, and the price is misery. With genuine happiness however, there’s no price to pay. You just get to enjoy it and all the pleasant, blissful sensations it brings. 


My first day of August kicked off in the morning getting my two daughters ready for camp before I had to work. They were extremely excited, because they were going swimming and that’s just about their favorite thing ever. They were happily in the zone, giggling away, playing some make believe game with their dolls. It was getting near time to go so of course, here comes Mom, being a giant buzzkill:


“Girls.. Get your shoes on! Now!” 


Even in the moment I realized that I was potentially killing their whole happy vibe with my insistence that they stop playing and get serious! The pressure of having to stick to a schedule and all that. Fortunately, they were unphased by my stress and put their shoes on, still laughing and happy as we walked out the door. 


We go outside and the neighbor next door is playing with his little baby on their front stoop. This baby is gorgeous and smiling from ear to ear! I comment, “Wow, she’s always SO HAPPY!” 


Happiness is contagious. In that moment, knowing my kids were so happy, and then to see that cute little baby happy and smiling, it made me just smile, and relax.. and feel so happy too. We get in the car and I decide to play my daughter’s favorite song, “This Girl is on Fire” by Alicia Keys. While we were on vacation back in July we listened to this song over and over again, and it became their official anthem! So they were excited that I decided to blast it for the car ride. We all just cut loose and sang at the top of our lungs, “THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE! THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE!” It brought back very recent, happy memories of how much fun we all had together on our vacation.

Music is really something that can make you feel instantly happy isn’t it?  Especially a song you LOVE, and a song you and someone else love together. I have to admit, I never loved the song, “This Girl is on Fire” before, but I do now. I do now because my daughters love it, and to hear them sing it together is the cutest, sweetest thing that honestly makes me feel so happy. 


As I mentioned before, being in recovery, you come out of such a dark place and begin to experience life in an organic way and these moments of happiness somehow become so much more meaningful. But if you really think about it, the opportunities to be happy were always there all along. I watch my kids and how EASY it is for them to be so happy in the moment. It makes me wonder why it seems harder to be this way as an adult. What changed? 


I am not sure of the answer, but for now I will admit that I am happy singing with my kids, and having a baby smile at me and feeling the sun shine on my face. Life just gave me these little moments! They didn’t need to be enhanced or chemically altered in any way and I appreciate them for what they are. 


So since August is “Admit You’re Happy” month, go ahead and admit you’re happy! Just because it feels good. Happiness is happening all around us and life is beautiful. 

Marking Women's History Month: A Reflection on Sobriety, Self-Acceptance, and Shaping My Legacy

By Nicole Benoist, CPS, CCAR • 29 Mar, 2024
As we conclude Women's History Month, I have been thinking about what being a woman means to me at this stage in life. In just a few weeks, I will (hopefully) enter my fourth year of sobriety, a journey that intersects with another milestone: my 50th birthday in November. Reflecting on the woman I have evolved into, I am at peace. The false sense of all-knowing that once dominated my youth has given way to a welcomed uncertainty. My heart is open to the possibilities that life has yet to unveil—undiscovered people, places, and experiences. The path ahead is a beautiful unknown; I'm meeting it with open arms. My sobriety has been transformative, illuminating the brighter paths in life while diminishing the darker trails. Most importantly, it has taught me that my history does not dictate my destiny. My journey through life has given me invaluable lessons about my limitations and the beauty of accepting them. The jewels of my existence—faith, family, career, a close circle of friends, and self-care—finally have the focus they deserve. Through forgiveness, I have learned to cultivate love and compassion for myself. I have discovered the strength to alter the course of my life through persistence, discipline, and patience. My spiritual connection has deepened in unimaginable ways, offering a new perspective on my relationship with God. The complex challenges of parenthood have revealed themselves as both the most demanding and rewarding endeavors of my life, underscoring the inevitability of imperfection. I've found vulnerability is not a weakness but a conduit to genuine connection, understanding, and profound love. As I navigate through life, the narrative of my personal history continues to unfold, prompting introspection about the legacy I aspire to leave behind. The impact of my place in the world becomes of utmost importance—what does legacy mean to me? This question often guides my advice to my children: "Did you leave that conversation, person, or situation better than you found it?" My ambition is that my legacy will be the sum of positive daily interactions and acts of kindness that collectively contribute to a more compassionate world. This reflection is not just a personal testament but a universal invitation to embrace the unknown with grace, to recognize the transformative power of self-acceptance, and to acknowledge the profound influence of individual actions on the fabric of our shared humanity.

Embracing Our Essence: A Women's History Month Reflection on Rediscovering and Celebrating Authentic Womanhood

By Ailish Abbate, PRC • 22 Mar, 2024
To all the women reading this, it's clear that the mantle of womanhood carries an immense burden. Our surroundings incessantly dictate the essence of being a woman, often presenting a paradox: to embody everything yet simultaneously embody the antithesis. The act of womanhood propels us far from our origins, to the extent of erasing the memory of our childhood streets. It nudges us toward oblivion, making us forget our desires, preferences, and identities. Navigating womanhood correctly seems an unattainable feat, pushing us to seek love, acceptance, and validation externally. I, too, succumbed to these norms of womanhood, adhering to expectations that dictated my body size, compliance, and emotional expression. I was taught that self-prioritization is selfish, that expressing emotions is overly dramatic, and that any display of humanity is frowned upon. I believed that to fit in, I had to diminish myself—altering my appearance, interests, and essence. In a world where self-love is an act of defiance, I desperately sought validation elsewhere. My encounter with drugs and alcohol falsely promised me inclusion into the desired mold of womanhood, allowing me to display the traits I believed were necessary. However, this pursuit led me to a breaking point, bending over backward to conform to an imposed standard. Sobriety became the key to liberating my true self, embarking on a journey back to my roots. It has allowed me to reconstruct the meaning of womanhood, celebrating qualities like compassion, strength, intelligence, bravery, sensitivity, and wisdom. The burdens I once bore have been replaced with profound gratitude for the honor of belonging to the extraordinary collective known as women. In celebration of International Women's Day, let's embrace the diversity and strength inherent in womanhood, forging a path of empowerment and self-discovery.

Breaking Barriers: Black History Month and the Intersection of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder

By Nick Dansby, RCP • 23 Feb, 2024
February marks the celebration of Black History Month, a time to recognize the invaluable contributions of African Americans throughout history and today. Beyond the achievements and milestones, it’s imperative to shed light on the intersections of mental health within the black community. First-hand experience has exposed the gaps in access to treatment. Historical adversities like slavery and systemic exclusion from leverage, equity, inclusion and basic human rights have left a lasting impact, manifesting as socio-economic disparities and barriers to mental health treatment today. The Connection Between Black History and Mental Health: While mental health conditions don’t discriminate based on race, the challenges of accessing adequate mental health treatment are more common for people of color, particularly African Americans. Misdiagnosis, limited access to healthcare, and the scarcity of African American mental health professionals contribute to a significant disparity in mental health outcomes. After an unprovoked assault in 2017, I was told by a therapist that I had exhibited symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, the follow-up, specialist referral, an official diagnosis and treatment were all lacking. Key Trends: The statistics reveal a harsh reality. African American adults are 20% more likely to experience mental health issues than the rest of the population. Black young people face challenges in accessing mental health services compared to their white counterparts. Only 25% of African Americans seek treatment for mental health issues, in contrast to 40% of Caucasian individuals. Socioeconomic factors further propagate the situation, with those living below the poverty line being three times more likely to report severe psychological distress. The Role of Stigma and Lack of Representation: Misdiagnosis by healthcare professionals, societal stigma, and a shortage of black mental health practitioners contribute to the current plight of access to mental health resources in the black community. The underrepresentation of blacks in mental health professions, as highlighted by the statistics, creates a significant gap in culturally competent care. 6.2% of psychologists, 5.6% of advanced-practice psychiatric nurses, 12.6% of social workers, and 21.3% of psychiatrists are members of underrepresented groups. Remember my therapist who informed me about my PTSD? Well, she was also black. I’ve often wondered if she was equipped to complete a full diagnosis, with recommended treatment. Or did she face barriers in performing her professional duties? Paving the Way for Change: Black History Month serves as a reminder to work continually towards breaking down those barriers for the underrepresented, ensuring equal access to mental health and substance abuse resources. Notable figures like Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller, Dr. Paul Cornely, and Mamie Phipps Clark have paved the way for equitable healthcare, making significant contributions to psychiatry, public health, and psychology, respectively. A Call to Action: As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wisely stated, progress requires relentless forward movement. Beyond February, it is our collective responsibility to advocate for equal access and dismantle the barriers preventing adequate mental health care. By building awareness, supporting initiatives that promote inclusivity, and demanding change at all levels, we can contribute to a society where mental health is prioritized for everyone. And, hopefully, we may all experience a world where all voices of positive self advocacy are welcomed and encouraged. Sources: Excerpts and data used from Discoverymood.com, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Plymouth Psych Group
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