September is National Recovery Month, and HCC would like to bring awareness to what it means for those in recovery and to recognize the journey so many have been through and continue to take every day. There are no boundaries in substance abuse addiction, anyone can be affected. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, people from all socioeconomic backgrounds and of all ages – there is no divide in who can develop a substance use disorder. As a coalition, HCC is focused on the prevention of substance use among our local youth. However, we are much more than that. We are comprised of members and partners, working day-to-day in the community to provide support and services in order to help people make healthy choices while also spreading hope for a fulfilling future.
As human beings, we are not perfect and we know that life is unpredictable, and at times messy. But we have also been given the gift of choice and the power to make our own decisions. However, sometimes beyond any control, mental illness and substance use disorders can steal away that power from some people and be the driving force in a person’s choices and decisions. This is why it is important to learn acceptance and forgiveness for ourselves and others and recognize that judgment will only cause further harm. Let’s consider the possibilities if we all were to provide support, give hope, and be kind, compassionate, and empathetic to one another. Also remember that recovery is a lifelong journey so let’s celebrate those who are taking this path and encourage them to keep moving forward.
Please take this time to support the recovery community, listen to the stories, and provide hope. I would like to share a couple of links to the “Reclamation Sisters” website and YouTube channel where you can follow the journey of two sisters. It is a story that is raw, honest, and unfiltered presented by one sister who tells of how she has come to terms with her past relationship with her sister who has struggled with a substance use disorder to what their relationship has evolved to today as her sister “reclaims” her life in her journey through recovery. They offer open and honest discussions about things that are not always easy to say, but nonetheless are important to say, and in a way that many people can either relate to or understand.
Reclamation Sisters Website:
https://www.reclamationsisters.com/post/readthestory
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKKabw3M-pw&t=548s
Thank you,
Tara Estright
Healthy Cattaraugus County
Community Coalition Coordinator
As human beings, we are not perfect and we know that life is unpredictable, and at times messy. But we have also been given the gift of choice and the power to make our own decisions. However, sometimes beyond any control, mental illness and substance use disorders can steal away that power from some people and be the driving force in a person’s choices and decisions. This is why it is important to learn acceptance and forgiveness for ourselves and others and recognize that judgment will only cause further harm. Let’s consider the possibilities if we all were to provide support, give hope, and be kind, compassionate, and empathetic to one another. Also remember that recovery is a lifelong journey so let’s celebrate those who are taking this path and encourage them to keep moving forward.
Please take this time to support the recovery community, listen to the stories, and provide hope. I would like to share a couple of links to the “Reclamation Sisters” website and YouTube channel where you can follow the journey of two sisters. It is a story that is raw, honest, and unfiltered presented by one sister who tells of how she has come to terms with her past relationship with her sister who has struggled with a substance use disorder to what their relationship has evolved to today as her sister “reclaims” her life in her journey through recovery. They offer open and honest discussions about things that are not always easy to say, but nonetheless are important to say, and in a way that many people can either relate to or understand.
Reclamation Sisters Website:
https://www.reclamationsisters.com/post/readthestory
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKKabw3M-pw&t=548s
Thank you,
Tara Estright
Healthy Cattaraugus County
Community Coalition Coordinator
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