MAKE A DIFFERENCE

On the Fence

Not everyone will understand your recovery but as long as you are fully off the fence and admit that you need help you can receive it. Honesty, Open-mindedness, and Willingness the three "must haves" for recovery. It took what it took to get me where I am and by remembering the hurt and pain I can continually grow from it. Every experience in life shapes our character whether it be good or bad, it effects us. It is our perspective and outlook on the hard times that make us stronger.  So if you are on the fence still figuring out if you should go one way or another, remember what got you to that fence. Also know that the other side is filled with amazing opportunities and great life experiences. I have enough drunk stories for a life time but now I have a life that is worth way more than just a story. My life is filled with adventures I can remember!! haha Imagine that!

 Once I made the conscious decision to choose recovery and fully work a program my life changed for the better. For a long time I tried to hold on to those old ideas that maybe one day I could be normal and drink like a respectable lady. Or once I got out of this legal situation I will be better and everything will start working for me in the right way. It was my old thoughts and very close-minded outlook that wanted me not to change. Because lets face it change can be scary and that fear kept me sitting on the fence for a long time. The truth of the matter was that I wanted control of everything and everyone but it was the disease that had control of me.

Recovery has given me a life that I can be proud of. It has shown me a new outlook on things which used to be harmful for me. I no longer have the ability to judge anyone. You can never tell what someone else is going through and by no means compare yourself to them. "The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel."-Steve Furtick  I absolutely love that quote and it is so true! Who knows what someone else has going on in their life but we happen to know all the details of ours.

All I can say is what worked for me and that recovery works. Progress not perfection, every day I can choose to live to the best of my ability or squander it away in a bottle. That is right today I have a choice! At one point it wasn't a choice it was the only option. Having the ability to do the next right thing is just amazing! When I go and do things for other people I don't scream it from the roof tops, I do it because it is the right things to do. Of course in the process it makes me feel a little better too, but that's just a plus not the reason behind why I do it.

http://wellness.uncc.edu/collegiate-recovery-community-crc/your-support-needed

Addiction

It is amazing to know people Support Recovery!

The N.O.P.E. (Narcotics Overdose Prevention Education) candlelight vigil and Rockin' for Recovery went so well!!

 There was a good amount of people who made it out to Support Students in Recovery! It's very positive to know that other students on our campus are supportive to those in recovery. The rocking raised awareness about Recovery and helped new students to learn that we are there for them.

Other organizations on and off campus came to support and Rock with us! Thank you to Everyone it truly means a lot!

Thank you to everyone who came out or stopped by!! We all can make a change by letting others know there is always HOPE!







Our speaker and new found friend shared her story before the NOPE Vigil. Hearing the perspective of a mother who had lost her college age son to drugs was all to familiar.  I had the pleasure of introducing Deanna Uhler, a very strong woman who chose to overcome her nerves and share her experience, strength, and hope with us. I opened by sharing some letters that were written by Alex's(Deanna's son) friends after his passing. It really puts in perspective of why we do what we do. By telling her story in hopes of helping others she also brought awareness to this epidemic harming our youth all around. By educating people we hope to help others receive the proper treatment and care in all aspects of the continuum. Recovery being the piece that was missing for so long.

Her message was very strong, there was not a dry eye in the room. By telling her story she touched souls and helped so many people. Thank you Deanna! You are truly an amazing woman! We are here if you need anything.

The voices of Eden Choir sang so beautifully. It was very amazing that they were there.

https://www.facebook.com/voicesofeden

To remember the souls lost to addiction and overdose we held the candlelight vigil.

The Voices of Eden sang another song while we prayed for those who have been lost.

Know that Addiction is a disease just like cancer is a disease the loss of a person from one or the other should be treated the same. The sigma that is placed on Recovery makes it harder. Recovery is very positive and should not be a shameful thing.



If you are struggling and don't know what to do we here at The Center for Wellness Promotion in the Collegiate Recovery Community. Student Health Center Room 121. If we can not help you personally we can find out who can.

Center for Wellness at UNCC
https://wellness.uncc.edu/

N.O.P.E.
http://www.nopetaskforce.org/candlelight-vigils.php

If you are find someone who is overdosing or passed out and are afraid to get them help because calling for help might get you or them in trouble.  Please know that the 911 Good Samaritan law has been passed in NC as well as other states and you are protected. Please save a life the consequence of losing a child, sibling,  parent, or friend is way worse. DON'T HESITATE TO GET HELP!

911 Good Samaritan Law
http://www.drugpolicy.org/911-good-samaritan-fatal-overdose-prevention-law

Ikea supporting the CRC
http://inside.uncc.edu/news/item/ikea-provides-more-furnishings-collegiate-recovery-community