It's been a bit of a busy day, and along with a severe dose of hay fever (which slows one down) and a visit to the vet with my beloved aged Welsh collie Tessa, I've run out of time to write a full Blog.
However, I can tell you that Lucie and Kevin have loaded up on some more film on our YouTube channel which you can link to from the Our Films Blog. This section focuses on life as a heroin addict, with the same people who were introduced last week.
If you want to check out all our film material on YouTube, check out the Wired In Recovery channel, to which you can subscribe. Please send the details to as many people you can.
I can tell you that the people who participated in these film clips are really excited to know that they are being looked at by lots of people.
Just had a talk with Lucie from Glasgow where she and Kevin are attending a conference tomorrow. They spent the day at the LEAP project (led by Dr. David McCartney) in Edinburgh and had the most amazing time. They were absolutely buzzing about what they saw and the potential for a strong collaboration.
Going to have to tell you more about LEAP in a future Blog. What I can say is that it's one hell of a recovery project (excuse the swearing) and is making a significant impact. I tell you what - it's a good job I live within 15 minutes of Cardiff airport and Kevin and Lucie live only a few minutes further away. We're going to be using the shut-eye express (07.00 flight) between the two Celtic nations quite a bit! And I love Edinburgh!
1 comment:
I was asked today why I thought recovering addicts had anything to offer the field and I tried to answer along these lines. Bearing in mind i wasn't asked whats the difference between someone who has recovered and some one never having the experience of addiction.
I believe the recovered/recovering addict working in the field has the sustained courage to face and transcend pain and trauma that deepens our ability to enjoy mutually rewarding relationships with others and ourselves.
Unlike some of our fellow workers we have had the chance to do the necessary soul searching to understand that it is relationship dynamics that harm us, particularly in childhood. So it is critical that we as recovery coaches/counsellor's/facilitators work deeply to continue to heal ourselves. This self awareness in active recovery means that we remain honest, humble, open and teachable. Not I hasten to add requirements in any drug or alcohol job spec I have ever seen but as recovering addicts in the field like those at LEAP The dynamics between counsellor's and clients can either facilitate healing and growth or reinforce further confusion and negativity for all involved and my own recovery/life depends on my level of integrity and truth.
I for one believe that Recovered/recovering addicts who work in the field, no matter who we are, what our history has been and what we currently do, our purpose is to use all of our experiences as opportunities for learning, healing and growing, I'm not sure if everyone in the field would agree or even subject themselves to this rigorous process but if recovery is to be gained and sustained I suggest we as professionals must keep our own house clean before we attempt to help others and the advantage those in recovery have who serve in the field is the necessity of this rigorous self inventory process that perhaps our fellow workers do not have to undertake in order to stay alive.
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