You likely interact with someone in recovery from substance abuse disorder frequently, perhaps even daily.
Extrapolating national percent- ages and census data, estimates put the size of the recovery community in the Richmond region at approximately 160,000 people. The faces of people struggling with substance abuse or actively in recovery aren’t always what you expect. Media often distorts the reality of those in recovery. The recovery community in the Richmond region includes your neighbors, colleagues, family members or friends. They work in all fields and are an important part of our social fabric. CARITAS and 2 End the Stigma recently hosted our annual Community Day for the region’s recovery community. This event recognizes those in recovery and is an important opportunity to come together for support and learning.
What can we do as a community to end the stigma around recovery and support those on this journey?
Three lessons emerged from the community day and offer opportunities for everyone to help.
First, create spaces for people in recovery to share their stories. The best way to reduce the stigma around substance abuse disorder is to talk about it. If you’re in recovery, be willing to share your experiences. If you’re not in recovery, be willing to listen to the stories of those who are recovering from substance abuse disorder. As awareness grows, the stigmas around both substance abuse disorder and recovery will fall away. We must give voice to those in recovery and be open to hearing their stories. Listening with respect and compassion can have a huge impact. It demonstrates that someone cares and builds confidence for the person in recovery because they will feel less ashamed and deficient.
Second, naloxone, often identified as Narcan, should be more accessible. This medicine quickly reverses an opioid overdose and, as a critical tool in saving lives, it should be readily available throughout our region, including schools, restaurants, community centers and other locations. Similarly, more people should participate in Narcan training so they can help in a life-threatening sit- uation. Knowledge is powerful and will save lives. Lifesaving interventions, such as Narcan, should be more prevalent in our community.
Third, advocate for policy changes that will help our recovery community flourish. One such change is making it less difficult to establish new recovery houses. These programs are crucial for recovery. Onerous zoning requirements and resistance from local citizens add significant barriers to creating new recovery housing.
Fortunately, many localities in our region are supportive of these efforts, but we all can push for more recovery housing. Likewise, support changing how we treat someone with a criminal record, especially for nonviolent crimes. For example, although evidence-based peer recovery is the gold standard for recovery services, many of those in recovery who want to be certified for peer support face daunting challenges because of their criminal records. Laws dealing with felons should take into account if someone is in recovery. Employment and insurance barriers also need to be reduced.
Recovery is an ongoing process and those in recovery will always be there for one another.
Perhaps most inspiring about this community is that new people are always welcome to join, including allies and neighbors.
Gratitude, compassion and love are three tenets of recovery. No matter who you are, we invite you to join our region’s recovery community. You can have a meaningful impact on the lives of others by supporting their efforts and helping end the stigma around recovery.
Benjamin Carr is director of recovery services at CARITAS. he can be contacted at bcarr@caritasva.org.
Jill cichowicz is Founder and President of 2 End the Stigma. She can be contacted at jill.2endthestigma@gmail.com.
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