In this conversation our guest this week is Isabelle Serafin, a clinical case manager, along with us, your hosts, Monica and Dylan, discuss our experiences in addiction and recovery. We delve into the role of art in recovery, the significance of engaging in hobbies, and the challenges we faced in early recovery. We also explore the impact of identity on addiction and recovery, the reality of relapse, and the importance of representation. Additionally, we highlight the disparity between sober living and halfway houses, emphasizing the lack of available options for women and the hurdles they encounter in accessing gender-specific substance use treatment. We stress the need for more equitable access to recovery resources, advocating for government legislation and grants to support women's sober living. Our conversation also touches on how individuals can contribute by getting people into treatment, carrying Narcan, and staying informed about addiction. We underscore the importance of compassion and understanding towards those suffering from addiction and acknowledge the role of social media in providing hope and support.

Takeaways

Engaging in artistic spaces has helped me in recovery, allowing me to regain my sense of humanness.

Having hobbies and creative outlets has been a crucial component of my recovery journey.

Meeting people where they're at in their recovery is something I've found to be crucial for providing effective support.

Relapse is a common part of my recovery story, but I've come to understand that it is not inevitable or necessary for everyone.

Representation and diversity in recovery spaces are personally important for me to see myself and find hope in my own recovery. The significant lack of available sober living options for women has made it challenging for me and others to access gender-specific substance use treatment and recovery resources.

Improving access to recovery resources for women requires government legislation and grants that prioritize women's sober living and address barriers like insurance coverage and location.

I can contribute by getting people into treatment, contacting admissions at treatment centers, and providing support and resources to those in need.

Carrying Narcan and staying informed about addiction are ways I can support the recovery community and potentially save lives.

Exercising compassion and understanding towards those suffering from addiction, and staying informed about the issue, can help break down stigmas and promote empathy.

Sharing my personal recovery stories and milestones on social media can serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for others who may be struggling with addiction or related issues.

Isabel's Instagram: @IsabelSerafin

Follow us at: @BloomScrollingPodcast

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

03:00

The Role of Art in Recovery

05:27

Finding Humanness in Artistic Spaces

09:14

Engaging in Hobbies and Rediscovering Passion

10:10

Connecting People to Recovery Resources

11:31

The Importance of Focus in Early Recovery

13:38

The Challenges of Externalizing and Personal Responsibility

15:30

Meeting People Where They're At in Recovery

17:24

The Importance of Breakthroughs in Recovery

19:19

The Role of Identity in Addiction and Recovery

24:07

The Reality of Relapse in Recovery

26:59

The Impact of Identity on Addiction and Recovery

39:41

The Importance of Representation in Recovery

49:40

The Difference Between Sober Living and Halfway...