Growing up, my family never openly discussed topics like mental health, alcoholism, drug use, suicide, prevention, or recovery. We lived with alcoholism, but even saying the word “alcoholic” out loud came with a reminder to keep it a secret. I didn’t know it then, but this was likely my first experience with shame; and it felt very uncomfortable.
My mom was often “sick,” other family members were enablers, and my siblings and I were confused — because we were kept in the dark about what was really happening. Like many families we had the ‘giant elephant’ in the room.
We’ve come a long way in working to remove the stigma and shame surrounding the disease of addiction. From my perspective, we’ve made quantum leaps in the world of healing, health, and self-care. From adolescents to seniors, addiction does not discriminate by age.
One key is having the right resources and professionals to guide the way. Without fear, we can now openly talk about finding solutions, offer support, and most of all, provide hope. Let’s continue to shine a light on recovery together.
While I didn’t initially plan for our front-page stories to cover both ends of the age spectrum, it offers the perfect perspective—that recovery truly is for everyone.
Thank you to all of our outstanding contributors for providing your expertise and being a valuable resource to our community.
Barbara
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