MATTERS OF SUBSTANCE

Return to action, hope and recovery

By Danielle Owen

The IIC’s Community Counseling coordinator Danielle Owen provides counseling, support, referrals, and case management along with outreach, education, and consulting services to Irish immigrants; both new and well established Irish community members. We can assist you if you are experiencing issues such as substance abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, healthcare access, and homelessness.

“I had stopped drinking for over a year and had been getting on great with my husband, who had threatened to move out unless I quit. I was just given a promotion and a raise with my job and I thought that I had turned a corner. As work got busier, I became more stressed. People at work have drinks after 5pm and I began joining them a few times a week, just to let off steam. My husband hated I was drinking again and finally he decided to go home to Ireland for a few weeks. I’m heartbroken, but all I think about is going to drink at 5pm! Since my husband has been away I am drinking at home now, especially over the weekend. I’m so scared about losing my job, my husband and the life we were enjoying but is it too late for me?”

It’s never too late, no matter who you are and what you have done. It sounds like you had made great progress when you stopped drinking before and there is nothing to stop you from doing it again. Relapse or drinking again after stopping is all part of recovery, believe it or not. It is what you learn from this relapse that will help bring you back to action and recovery. Change happens very gradually, as described by the “Wheel” or “Stages of Change” model developed in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s by James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente. It is a great tool to help people with alcohol or drug problems because it describes the stages that someone goes through as they work toward recovery. Here are some examples of statements that could identify where you might be on the wheel of change?

Pre-Contemplation: “It’s not a problem; I drink the same as anyone else!”

Contemplation: “I hate the hangovers, but I need to relax!”

Preparation: “That’s it!! I can’t do this anymore.” “What if I can’t stop?”

Action: “I could use a drink now but will find an AA meeting instead.”

Maintenance: “I am bringing Mary to a meeting, because it has helped me so much.”

Relapse: “Would one drink really hurt?”

 Change is always possible, no matter how far away it seems but you need support, meetings, and perhaps treatment to move towards recovery. When a relapses occurs, some return to the pre- contemplation or contemplation stage. This is very normal. However, it sounds like you may be ready to move from the preparation stage and take action again.

If you would like to learn new ways to manage your life, including stress management for example, without alcohol and drugs, please join us for our Relapse Prevention Group, in Quincy beginning this spring. The IIC is collaborating with the Maria Droste Services in Quincy to bring you a twelve week Relapse Prevention Group. The group will help you explore ways of staying sober and give you the opportunity to share issues and challenges faced while trying to overcome substance abuse.

Participants will work together to support one another in the difficult journey of staying sober. The program will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1354 Hancock St., Quincy. Call Danielle, in confidence & without judgment, at the Irish Immigration Center for more information or for support/counseling. Phone: 617-542-7654, Ext: 14, or via e-mail to dowen@iicenter.org. Learn more about the Relapse Prevention Group or to sign up today.