“And it gets so old just saying we’ll keep trying. But it’s mine to decide when and if I’ll be alright. And that’s just a thing that takes time”
– Cross My Heart, The Rocket Summer
The topic of communication and addiction was one I had wanted to tackle for quite some time but needed to speak to a person who felt comfortable presenting the information in a manner that clearly conveyed their personal journey. I came across an article shared by a professional peer of mine featuring her daughter Dara Wright’s story of overcoming addiction. I was intrigued by Dara’s story, and I was also impressed with her willingness to candidly describe what life was like for her during this period. Honesty can expose our vulnerabilities but can also endear us to others. This seemed to be the result of reading about Dara’s struggles.
Addiction is never a fun topic to discuss, yet with it being one of the aspects of human existence that highlights both how fragile and how strong we can be, it’s a necessary conversation to have. Whether or not you’ve experienced addiction personally, it has likely affected someone you know. Substance abuse is far reaching in that it not only affects the life of the user, but those close to them. In terms of communication, it can ruin relationships, create strife and destroy trust among other things.
My goal was, as always, to effectively communicate a message. This is a message that states addiction is not restricted to a specific age, race, gender or social class. Anyone who has experienced addiction in some form knows that it can creep in at the most unexpected moment and develop into a long-term battle. At its core, it can derive from internal battles that often go unseen.
If there is anything I learned from Dara and her story, it’s that acknowledgement and self-awareness play a major role in the progression from addiction to recovery. Only when the individual battling addiction recognizes there is a problem at hand and the effects it is having on their lives and the lives of the people around them, can true change be made. It is the desire to change and the desire to get to a better place in life that can help fuel forward progression. Dara went from harming herself with substances to spending time helping others and indulging in fun hobbies like art and reading. A beautiful person with a beautiful heart, Dara feels it is important that she continue educating others on the topic of addiction and recovery. Her story is one I can personally relate to and I am confident will also be the case for you or someone you know.