National Recovery Month - Recovery is Possible

Jason Arsenault, CARC, CRPA • Sep 19, 2022

National Recovery Month - Recovery is Possible

My name is Jason Arsenault and I’m a person in long term recovery, it took me some time to say it clearly and boldly without shame. 

September is one of my favorite months of the year, the beginning of Fall and National Recovery Month.   With each seasonal change and especially in September I take the opportunity to reflect on my journey in recovery and live in gratitude for how far I’ve come.


Today I have just over 8 years of sobriety from drugs and alcohol, as I write this I’m filled with an enormous sense of gratitude for my journey and for all the individuals that have supported me along the way.   I remember participating in a group in early recovery when the facilitator at the time said “it takes a village to recover” at the time I had no idea what it was like to depend on the help of others.  In the beginning of my recovery, I found it difficult to ask for help or guidance. I had so much self-will that I thought that I already had all the answers. I quickly learned that I didn’t know much about recovery and relied on the help of others that had done it before me. 


Throughout the years, I’ve started to “peel back the layers of the onion”, become vulnerable, honest and look at the underlying mental health challenges that lead me to addictive behaviors.  Recovery for me is a lifelong journey, with each minute, hour, day, week, year that passes I have an opportunity to grow, evolve and put my best foot forward and do the next right thing for myself and others. 


National Recovery month is a time to celebrate my own recovery and demonstrate to those that might be having a difficult or challenging time that recovery is possible.   Being a cheerleader, mentor, advocate and ally is part of my personal journey as well as my life’s work.  I believe in the power of example, demonstrating and supporting individuals along the way through the good times and challenges. 


In 2016 I became a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, a professional accreditation that would shape my career path.  Never did I think that my past substance misuse and mental health challenges would be helpful in supporting others wanting to recover.  The most impactful part of my training was the training on supporting individuals that practice harm reduction and engage in multiple pathways to recovery.  I also learned that a person is in recovery when they say that they are in recovery. Their pathway to recovery may look different then mine and if someone is showing up they have a desire to recover. 


Meeting individuals where they are at has provided me the opportunity to look at my journey, and acknowledge that I was seeking recovery long before I got sober.  Providing space,  guidance, and a non-judgmental approach has led many individuals that I have had the opportunity to work with over the years a sense of hope that has blossomed into sustainable recovery. 


Recovery coaching and peer support is beginning to get national recognition as an integral part of the continuum of care for both mental health and substance use disorders.  Bridging the gap between clinical care and clients engaging in daily life activities is so important for individuals in early recovery.  Using motivational interviewing to support an individual’s pathway is imperative. No one likes to be told what to do. It is important for them to come up with a plan of recovery with some guidance and shared lived experience.   Being a “truth teller” is a very important part of the peer advocate role, transparency and authenticity.


I’m grateful to work for You Are Accountable as Head of Business Development and Partnerships to expand our services to those that suffer from substance use disorders.  I’m grateful for our dedicated team of professionals, peers, advocates, cheerleaders and allies that use their life’s experiences to guide and provide hope to those seeking recovery. 


I learned early on in my recovery that my past does not have to dictate my future, but to use it as a strength to building a new future. 

"THE SECRET OF CHANGE IS TO FOCUS ALL OF YOUR ENERGY NOT ON FIGHTING THE OLD, BUT ON BUILDING THE NEW."

- Socrates

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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