Summer Enjoyable in Recovery | Community Services Board

Eugene Molina, Program Peer Recovery Specialist and Group Facilitator on the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) shares how being in restoration from substance use or psychological well being points helps heal the mind and may even be enjoyable. Eugene is a Registered Peer Support Specialist in addition to an Integrated-Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist and is an lively member of the CSB’s restoration and peer help providers.

Q. What is a Peer Recovery Specialist?

A. We’re educated professionals who use our personal lived expertise to help individuals engaged on their substance use or psychological well being restoration. We provide steerage, encouragement and sensible assist in many alternative circumstances. We don’t advise. We don’t let you know what to do. We stroll alongside others going by means of related experiences. We have been by means of lots of the identical struggles, which permits us to satisfy individuals the place they’re with out judgment.

Q. How do you outline restoration?

A. To me, restoration is not only the absence of substance or signs, it’s the method of changing into the particular person you had been at all times able to being.

Q. If somebody’s restoration feels tough, why ought to they be open to having enjoyable?

A. It’s all about dopamine, a chemical in our mind that helps us really feel motivated, targeted and rewarded once we do one thing pleasurable or accomplish a aim. Numerous what we’re speaking about revolves round dopamine. By having extra enjoyable and extra connection, our mind begins to heal across the pathways the place dopamine and different features had been imbalanced. 

One day at a time, we be taught to be comfy with discomfort. It can really feel like a problem at first to seek out new methods to take pleasure in your self and others, however you need to get on the market and apply the brand new expertise that you simply’re studying.

Q. What does it imply to have enjoyable in restoration?

A. When you’re new to restoration and also you’re making an attempt to determine who you are actually, your identification can turn into closely targeted on restoration, and that may turn into exhausting. Treat your restoration journey like an journey! It doesn’t have to turn into a job or a burden. That’s the enjoyment of it — the sudden and the unknown. 

Recovery allowed me to really feel what it feels prefer to be human once more. Getting to rediscover pizza was an immense pleasure! I actually benefit from the burnt crust. I actually benefit from the cheese. It’s a brand new expertise that I didn’t know I used to be lacking.  

Q. What are a few of your favourite issues to do in the summertime for enjoyable?

A. I’m a Civil War nut, so I’ve been going to the entire battlefields. I really like Bull Run. I do know Bull Run just like the again of my hand. I additionally like to go antiquing and go to historic cities. I neglected these particular alternatives earlier than once I wasn’t in restoration. Finding one thing new, or previous, that pursuits you is a superb place to begin.

Q. Summer is usually a time for lots of celebrations and events. How do you deal with that and what recommendation do you’ve gotten for others?

A. My first summer time in restoration I used to be very conscious of the individuals, locations and issues I surrounded myself with. Now, I keep effectively inside my boundaries throughout totally different environments. 

If you’re seeking to have extra enjoyable whereas in restoration, ensure you have a strong help system. That would possibly imply having a sponsor on velocity dial or sharing with the get together host that you simply’re in restoration. You additionally don’t must share about your restoration should you’re not prepared for that. Always have a backup plan and an escape route in place earlier than you go someplace the place temptations might come up.

Q. What are you able to share about getting essentially the most out of participating with a restoration neighborhood?

A. It’s a really, very particular neighborhood. There is ethical help 24/7. There’s at all times a BBQ, a live performance, some sort of enjoyable gathering that’s particularly provided for individuals in restoration. You’ll be related with like-minded people who’re strolling a really related path to your individual.

Q. What function do CSB Peer Support Specialists play in supporting people by means of tempting seasons like summertime and the vacations?

A. We convey our lived expertise entrance and middle. We’re sharing how we’re having enjoyable, training boundaries and the way we’re residing our personal journey in the future at a time.

Accessing Peer Support Services on the CSB

You don’t must be utilizing CSB providers to get peer help. It’s free to Fairfax County residents. 

To entry Peer Support, name the Peer Outreach Response Team at 703-559-3199, Monday by means of Friday, 9:00 a.m. to five:00 p.m. You can even stroll in throughout these instances on the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health and ask to talk with a peer. 

Contact for media inquiries: CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov