In this episode, Ganel-Lyn discusses addiction recovery with Jason Coombs, a recovered addict, and author of the new book, ‘Unhooked: How to Help an Addicted Loved One Recover.’ Jason is also the founder of Brick House Recovery, an addiction recovery center that specializes in support for addicts as well as their families.

Jason opens up about his path into addiction, and the subsequent fight to recover. He shares his belief that there is always hope to overcome addiction, but it requires faith. “If you’re going to talk about the dark, you can’t NOT talk about the light. What we’re addressing is: How do we help people lean into the light?” 

Some important things to know about addicts are:

• They are usually filling a void in their life with an addiction. 
• Addiction changes people, and makes them disconnect from others and become almost entirely self-serving. 
• They choose addictions because of the benefits; in order to help them stop, you must explore the cost/benefit relationship with them. 
• They can become very dishonest, which can be the most painful part for loved ones.
• Addicts tend to minimize the problem in their minds, so denial from loved ones can reinforce the disease. Listen when someone comes to you with an admission.

Jason says, “To the families of those struggling: There is hope. Hundreds of thousands of people have recovered from this.” 

He also shares that, as a loved one of an addict, some things you can to today to create hope are: 

1. Get yourself healthy and empowered. Know where you end and others begin; remember that you are not your struggling family member. 
2. When you feel that you can reach out in love, not fear; in hope, not despair; in compassion and empathy, not depression or anxiety, then you can influence positively. You don’t have control of others, but you DO have influence.

Ganel-Lyn closes by reminding those who are struggling that you can find God in your darkest places.

You can find out more about Jason, his book, or his recovery program, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/brickhouserecovery/ 

brickhouserecovery.com

@brickhouserecovery

Or for those battling addictions, join The Recovery Movement group on Facebook. 

The ReConnect Podcast is produced by Anasazi Foundation. Anasazi Foundation is a wilderness therapy program for at-risk youth, and our mission is to help turn hearts homeward. Learn more about us at Anasazi.org. You may also find inspiration in reading our book, The Five Legends.