Northwoods Recovery: Recoverees settle in Northwoods as a new way of life

Northwoods Recovery meetings — at least the one I attend most weeks — are an interesting mix of carefully crafted readings designed to shine a light on the Twelve Step Recovery process, followed by unguided small group discussions. Since the people involved are self-professed drug addicts in various stages of Recovery, some degree of mental instability on their part can be assumed; hence the need for at least minimal structure. That the organizations coordinating these meetings are wholly based on the idea of addicts helping addicts find and maintain sobriety makes for some lively back-and-forth interactions.  

In my view, the most productive meetings are those with a preponderance of newcomers eager to hear our message of hope:  We Do Recover. In return they share horrific stories of their struggles with addiction, which serve as reminders of our own struggles to find sobriety, lest we forget. 

Lately at meetings I’ve noticed a slight but significant trend developing; addicts visiting our area to utilize the local recovery network, and once here with sobriety working for them find good reason not to return to the scene of their former troubles.  

On every level the Northwoods provides a positive atmosphere for recovering from drug dependence; recovering addicts coming here to temporarily remove themselves from their home culture of substance abuse find a welcoming recovery culture that provides the tools and all-important support likely missing at home, which can make all the difference concerning positive prospects for a robust recovery. 

Recovering from drug addiction is a life transformation, and once transformed we can begin to make positive contributions to our communities simply by finally living sober, productive lives, no longer inflicting the chaos and criminality of substance abuse on our friends and neighbors. 

Personally, I have no problem with others choosing to engage in the recreational drinking common here in the Northwoods; It’s not only part of our culture but one facet attracting the annual influx of visitors vital to our economic well-being. But no one can argue against the need for sober role models who can demonstrate a workable alternative to the obvious problems of excessive alcohol consumption endemic to the Northwoods.  

That recoverees from substance abuse disorder are moving to the Northwoods is a positive development; they bring newly acquired life-skills that can be put to good use in our communities, and serve to demonstrate that despite having abused drugs in the past: 

We Do Recover.