I'm Not In Addiction Recovery; Is Your Weekly Support Group Still For Me?
Perhaps you've been curious about joining our weekly online support group, but the word "recovery" is tripping you up. That's fair! It's common to only here this term being used in the context of substance use disorders/addiction treatment programs, and you may be asking yourself, I'm not in an addiction recovery process, so can I still join - and benefit from - this support group?
And to that we say, simply, yes - and, let's get into why.
The Stigma of Addiction & Substance Use/Abuse
While there has been progress made in understanding the roots and effects of addiction and substance abuse, there is still a pervasive attitude towards people navigating these conditions, of moral indignation and superiority perpetuated by classism and racism, and upheld by systems of white supremacy, colonialism and capitalism.
Aspects of these systems may prevent and even block people from seeking and accessing support, whether from social groups or government programs.
When we can consider approaching the concepts of addiction and substance abuse through a trauma-focused lens, we may better understand that these behaviours are symptoms of larger, systemic issues.
Systems of oppression seek to keep us separated not only from each other, but from ourselves and our sovereignty; these systems benefit from our continued dependence on dehumanising, often violent, institutional frameworks that limit our abilities to maintain the innate interdependence that we need to thrive with each other and with the natural world.
Modern research shows us that there is plenty of evidence that addictive behaviour and substance abuse occur in people navigating the many effects of trauma. People with high ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are particularly vulnerable to developing addictive behaviours as a coping mechanism for symptoms of PTSD and CPTSD, including depression, anxiety, depersonalisation and suicidal ideation.
For so many of us living within the constraints of capitalism and white supremacy, we have long been programmed that trauma and subsequent emotional pain is a burden to productivity and perfectionism.
We adapt to this by learning to mask and bury our pain in external coping strategies that may indeed provide a temporary balm, but do not contribute to our on-going well-being and empowerment, and in turn may leave us even more dependent on our abusers (the Systems).
When we are consistently fed the narrative that we aren't good enough, that we much always be seeking more, whether materially or in appearance; when we are told that we do not deserve care and support because of the colour of our skin or how much money we have in the bank; when we are continually faced with gender and race-based violence - our personal power, mental health and physical health, sense of self and community, erodes.
We may seek to find solace and comfort in consumerism, substances and potentially harmful, isolating behaviours that undermine our personal autonomy and relational abilities, and well-being. We often engage in these behaviours because they are accessible and frankly, they work; but they aren't sustainable.
It's important to understand that addictive behaviours and substance abuse are chronic and progressive conditions with genetic, neurobiological, hormonal, nutritional, psychosocial, environmental and spiritual factors contributing to their development and manifestation.
They are complex conditions that require nuanced, compassionate and complex care. The reality is that we all have addictive tendencies because we live under conditions where these tendencies can thrive; while some may appear more extreme than others, this is simply besides the point.
In this sense, we are all in Recovery.
How The Breathwork For Recovery Support Group Can Benefit You
We all need support.
It can be difficult to admit it, because we've also been programmed that independence and hyper individualism are the guiding principles of freedom, but the truth is that we cannot survive or thrive in this world without learning to care for each other, and for the planet we are miraculously cohabiting with.
Liberation is only possible when we seek to liberate not only ourselves, but each other.
Support groups, like BFR, can provide care through the practice of breathwork, in addition to being in community with folks who get it. We are inclusive and expansive; you can show up as you are, without your "masks", and be seen and heard in your experiences.
Additionally, there are guiding principles and group agreements in place to ensure ethical frameworks are followed.
Being witnessed, and feeling connected to others, can be one powerful antidote to the violence and injustice we face on a daily basis. It is from this place that we can begin to envision, and take action, towards a future that respects the dignity of all life.
The session is online, and donation-based, though you can definitely join regardless of a donation. It's one hour in length, which includes a voluntary check-in/intention setting session, where a skilled BFR facilitator invites participants to share about their intentions and/or needs within the breathwork session.
A musical soundtrack is provided by the facilitator, and the active breath portion of the session is about 20-25 minutes, which a rest and integration period. Participants are welcome to share any insights following the session. If all you need is to show up in a space with other folks, that is enough. There is never any pressure to participate, only an encouraging and compassionate space to gather with other folks navigating this wild life.
You might still have questions, and that's ok! If so, you can connect with a BFR team member at 888.690.BREATH (2732) or via email at info@breathworkforrecovery.com to learn more.
