Why Advocacy in Recovery Fails?
By: Tim Alexander
“We must
all work in harmony with each other to stand up for what is right, to speak up
for what is fair, and to always voice any corrections so that the ignorant
become informed and justice is never ignored. Every time a person allows an act
of ignorance to happen, they delay our progress for true change. Every person,
molecule and thing matters. We become responsible for the actions of others the
instant we become conscious of what they are doing wrong and fail to remind
them of what is right.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of
Suzy Kassem
The path
I chose has been difficult to say the least. I’m an addict. I’ve lied, I’ve
cheated, and I’ve stolen from all those who have ever loved me. For many years
I sacrificed my morals for the lonely degradation of a spoon, a needle, and
heroin. I invested my entire life into a farce, a posy scheme designed to steal
the most important assets we as humans possess, each other.
From childhood
until my journey into recovery I was unable to connect with other people. The
truth is that I didn’t know how to connect with people. I was shy and insecure
as a kid. I was taught to believe that vulnerability is a kind of weakness. If
I wore the wrong clothes I might not be cool, the wrong shoes I might be a
loser. If I didn’t date a pretty girl I was ugly. These are the first run ins
with the stigmas of our culture, and being judged as a person.
Over the
years I found myself judging others according to societies unwritten rules. I
labeled people. I bullied those smaller and less fortunate than me to calm the
identity storms that headed my way. The fact that I had to drink beer or smoke
weed to connect with others never occurred to me. As my tolerance built, I had
to use more substances to continue my path of self-omnipotence to maintain my
image. Little did I know, the more that I used, the more I became detached.
These
actions led to many years of suffering and self-centeredness. Rehabs, prisons,
and isolation from my community. If you’re wondering what that beautiful quote
has to do with this blog, it’s quite simple really? And no, I’m not going to
rant on about our failed drug policies, although that would be an easy topic to
target. Placing blame on others has always came easy to me. #itsnotmyfault.
Today I
rant about hope in unity. Our ability to come together as human beings for the
sake of other human beings who suffer and die as a direct result of substance
use disorder. This topic also entails mental health disorders and suicide. The
question is how many people have to die before we stand up to the bureaucracy involved
in human life?
When is
the right time to stand up and let our voices be heard? How long will we allow
pointless squabbling among lawmakers to continue while people suffer and die? Is
it until it affects us individually?
Maybe I can help.
The day that we unite
as one and show our country that human life doesn’t wait years for a bill to
pass.
How is this done? Well, we become active in a
movement. We participate and sacrifice our time and energy in selfless service.
We show up although something “fun” is on the same day. We ask questions and
research answers. We get out of our own self-righteous views and do the very
thing we feel in our hearts, contribute to the greater good of our country. We
love others until they can learn to love themselves for we are beacons of light
in a world that has quickly become detached from the very thing that fuels our
existence, compassion.
Don't spend pointless hours surfing Facebook,
and Instagram, while Snapchatting stuff that doesn’t contribute to making our
world a better place, mix it up a little. Not everyone, but collectively “We”, as a whole, fail to
follow through with the gifts of freedom. Freedom of speech. Freedom from
tyranny and oppression. The freedom to choose leaders who value what is
important to us all…life!
This isn’t a personal indictment on
any one person. This is a plea for help from our community. It’s time to stand
up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. It’s time to stand as one, and love
everyone in our communities and make it through this epidemic. These issues take more than a handful of people to overcome.
I work for the Mcshin Foundation.
My name is Tim Alexander and I’m in the business of saving lives. Come stand
with us Saturday October 7, 2017 at the Virginia Historical Society for an
amazing event known as CARETALKS. The event starts at 5pm and if you need
tickets, guess what? They are free! Help unite our communities and bond with
those who are fighting hard to find solutions to our deadly opioid epidemic. I
love you all and if you need help and support we’re a phone call away. Tickets
can be secured at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/care-talks-richmond-tickets-36001328944.
