Living in recovery from substance abuse requires as much support from community resources as it does personal perseverance. Many of those recovering find themselves struggling to find the resources they need to heal and live an effective, engaged life. Recovery Connection’s objective is to create a culture of recovery in the heart of our community.
First developed four years ago through Porter County PACT, a provider of community-based criminal justice solutions and agency partnerships designed to tackle issues stemming from criminal behavior, Recovery Connection found its firm footing two years ago.
“We saw a real lack of support in our community for people in long term recovery,” said Megan Johnston, Recovery Connection Coordinator. “While treatment facilities existed, there were no organizations that focused solely on recovery support. That realization drove our focus and solidified the kind of role we wanted to play in the community.”
Recovery Connection’s stance is that recovery should encompass and impact all aspects of life. To overcome the destruction of addiction, a person must engage in support that stimulates mind, body and spirit. The organization stresses that lifestyle balance is the key to a successful recovery, and works with local treatment facilities, community support agencies, and halfway houses to impact as many lives in the recovering population as possible.
Using evidence-based practices and trained staff, interns, and community volunteers, Recovery Connection offers a wealth of resources and a structured schedule of workshops, training, activities, and social events to clients. Johnston explained that the organization offers several different types of FREE support groups and educational workshops catered to every client’s need.
For instance, under the umbrella of prosocial support, Recovery Connection partnered with Women United PC to offer events geared toward women in recovery. Each event centers on an activity, such as journaling or crafting, and promotes companionship, an element of recovery that is personal and often taken for granted. Other prosocial events offered to clients include Wednesday game nights, sketching, and dinners.
For educational resources, Recovery Connection offers resume, financial, and nutrition workshops to clients, and their website has a section devoted to questions. Recovery Connection adopts several support group strategies. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Circle of Support - a group designed for families reeling from the complications of addiction and recovery - are several available outlets. SMART Recovery, a science-based 4-point program that helps individuals recovering from all types of addictive behaviors, is another option.
Recovery Connection also offers one-on-one services, such as a peer mentoring program or recovery coach. In addition, the organization acts as hub linking to any resource necessary to a client’s successful recovery. Treatment solutions, counseling, and additional forms of support are all accessible through Recovery Connection.
“At Recovery Connection, we really respect each person’s individual recovery journey,” Johnston said. “We don’t think there’s one set path. The journey is different for every person. That’s an important part of recovery that we want people to know—you are valued, respected, and your voice counts.”
For more information about Recovery Connection’s services, or on how you can volunteer or donate to help further its free programs, visit their website. Additional information can be found on the PACT website.