Recovering drug and alcohol addicts shared stories of their struggles to obtain sobriety and normalcy with UW-Madison students Wednesday evening at the Red Gym.
Three speakers stressed that addictions are complex and do not easily fit into categories. According to the speakers, personal backgrounds and specific situations need to be taken into account when an individual is developing a path to recovery. The speakers all agreed support is a valuable aspect of recovery.
The friendship path is golden,"" John said, a speaker at the event who wished to maintain a level of anonymity.
John is currently the live-in mentor at Aaron's House, a co-op in Madison for college-aged males looking to maintain sobriety in a supportive environment. The men work together on goals on their road to recovery such as education, career, emotional growth and physical health, according to John.
Jason, also a speaker who wished to remain anonymous, recounted his own experience in a co-op home and said the homes do not always hold recovering addicts accountable for their actions. Curfews and constant vigilance were somewhat ""belittling"" although necessary, Jason said.
Some students at the event voiced concerns about the religious orientation of Alcoholics Anonymous and said many non-religious addicts could feel alienated and miss out on valuable support However, one speaker, a former priest and recovering alcoholic, said his experiences at AA led him on the path back to spirituality.
For people living with a loved one dealing with an addiction the speakers shared advice from their own experiences.
John said people in that situation should first look at their own lives and ask, ""How are we taking care of ourselves? Are we talking about it or pretending doesn't exist? [Addiction is] like an elephant in the room and nobody's allowed talk about it,"" he said.
The decision and power to put one's life in a different direction is entirely in the hands of the person with the addiction Jason said.
All three speakers said one of the most critical aspects in recovery addiction was not simply staying sober, but overcoming longstanding emotional battles.
Prudencio Oyarbide, associate program manager at the Mental Health Center of Dane County, said identifying as something aside from an addict is crucial.
""Whatever we do is a definition of our self.
