‘Addiction is a disease, not a choice,” says Athena, who’s been sober since 2012. “It is something that just overpowers you in a way that nobody would understand unless it happens to you.”
“You have to fill the void with positive things to keep you from wanting to use,” says Angela, who continues to participate in programs that help her stay sober.
“I have emotions today. I care about children and old people. Helping somebody cross the street. Holding the door for somebody. It’s called service. It’s cool,” says William, who spent decades on drugs and in prison. “I am most proud of my ability to care for somebody, because I didn’t care about nobody or nothing before — in my addiction.”
Athena, Angela and William are three of 14 local folks who share personal tales of addiction and recovery in a short, powerful new book called “Lifeline Changed my Storyline.”
Lifeline is Lifeline Connections, one of Clark County’s largest nonprofit agencies, which treats people for addiction and mental health conditions at the Center for Community Health on Fourth Plain Boulevard. Its collaborator on the book was another local nonprofit, Leadership Clark County, which trains small groups to sharpen their leadership skills and knowledge — and then challenges them to take on a vital community project.
In this case, Lifeline responded to Leadership Clark County’s request for proposals with an idea about videotaping the stories its clients in recovery could tell about how they first got into trouble and how they’ve turned their lives around. Underlying that, said Shannon Edgel, spokeswoman for Lifeline Connections, would be an overall message that policymakers and the public still haven’t really absorbed: addiction is a disease, not a character flaw.
“There is a desperate need for the community to understand the disease of addiction,” Lifeline’s proposal says. “This project seeks to bring the realities of addiction — and recovery — into the open in Clark County to reduce stigma and encourage those who need it to get help.
“We … believe there is tremendous potential in (client stories) to turn the tide of public opinion about addiction.”
The Leadership Clark County team that worked on the project said they were amazed at the courage and determination people in recovery display every day.
“Each one wakes up every morning and has to make a conscious decision to not drink or use,” said Angie Holden, an official at the YWCA Clark County. “Several people told us that they had to change everything about their life. They couldn’t hang around the same friends, they had to create boundaries for family members and others that would remain in their life. Some even moved to a city where they didn’t know anyone so they could start over.
“Life is hard enough to navigate through, and each of them had to learn to deal with past hurts, lost dreams,and a host of other issues … and do this sober. That takes tremendous strength,” Holden said.
The slick paperback book, which is full of colorful photographs, is available for $20 a copy through Lifeline Connections at 360-397-8246 or lifelineconnections.org.
Bits ‘n’ Pieces appears Fridays and Saturdays. If you have a story you’d like to share, email bits@columbian.com.
