The Knot by Rise Recovery Volume 1 Issue 2

Far From Over

Tom G York Jr shares how supporting his son's recovery led to revelations about himself

Fentanyl Facts

What you need to know about the fentanyl crisis affecting so many in our country

Pets of Rise Recovery

Our staff love their animal friends! Meet some of our favorite furry companions.

Emotional Support Animals

What is ESA certification, and why does it matter?

But with love and tolerance, he gained his goofy personality Smokie got certified as an emotional support animal and service dog in July 2016 When Smokie is working and has his harness on, he provides love and support to all who come into contact with him, whether that is Rise staff, participants, or students On his off time, he is either

Smokie is a 9-year-old, black and white Fox Terrier with a paw print spot on his tummy Smokie was adopted from San Antonio Pets Alive in 2014 After being treated for Parvo he was weak and very timid of people, places, and things

Originally published in the San Antonio Express News, November 22, 2022

cuddling under blankets or wanting to play with his large collection of toys Needless to say, Smokie and Katina are a perfect pair struggling with medical conditions Smokie has seen his mom, Katina Adcock, Young Adult Program Coordinator, struggle with active addiction, mental health, and multiple physical setbacks. On September 28th of 2022, Smokie woke Katina up by alerting her to another allergic reaction. Smokie is a genuine lifesaver!

Don't beat yourself up. Wrap yourself up in love, and respect your attempt at trying. Practice recovery coping skills as you recoup from the "emotional hangovers" of putting yourself out there.

Fall and winter holidays are known to bring either warm memories or stressful ones. The season can be a challenging mix as we try to bring our best selves to the family gatherings, "friendsgivings," and holiday socials

When the planning and visits get weary or overwhelming for me, I know it's time to bring out my healthy coping skills. For instance, I practice using healthy boundaries tactics, such as politely declining the guest room, being firm about the times I'm able to visit, and toasting good news with water or juice. We deserve to do these things for ourselves, for our self care and for our recovery Maybe you did your very best this year, but the best wasn't quite enough to keep you from social exhaustion.

One wonderful way I do this is loving on my pets. Snuggling with and talking to my pets, like my rescue Maple here, feels so rejuvenating because it blends the practices of gratitude, caring, trust and love.

When you feel empty, fill yourself up with healthy food, plenty of sleep, selfcompassion, and tending to your furry (or scaly, or feathered) friend. Healthy coping skills can bring us through the tough times, when we may be most triggered to lean on drugs or alcohol. Let's allow the companionship and communion with our animal guides walk us through. I hope you enjoy this wonderful issue, celebrating creatures great and small

Morin, CEO

Evita

Far From Over Far From Over

By: Tom G. York Jr., Rise Recovery Participant

2022 started out as most years, with nothing of consequence to speak of. New Year’s Eve was as usual a boring selfloathing end, and New Year’s Day was a boring beginning. As usual, the holiday came and went with little fanfare, and little expectation or enjoyment for me. My normal resentments and anger remained.

Then March of 2022 would be the beginning of a rock-your-world roller coaster for the year Nothing like discovering your son is addicted to drugs and alcohol. What I thought would be a program for him to be in would turn into a family program Rise Recovery would become our new home, church, family, and guide to our life. I never imagined the journey we would begin or travel along. I quickly learned that my son has to do his own thing to learn how to manage his addictions and heal. I would learn that I had work to do on myself. A lot of work!

As I became more aware of the things I needed to work on, for the first time I asked for

help and sought help I would meet two very important people: Frank, my counselor, and Brandon, my sponsor. I began a version of the 12-steps adapted for family recovery. I worked on finishing out the year almost completing my first journey through my steps. I attended classes at another recovery place in New Braunfels called Recovery Werks. We began to learn about boundaries, and about the meanings of the 12 steps. I would discuss things with another counselor, Eric, that I had never shared with another human being. I discovered that honesty does help one to heal.

Along this journey, I acknowledged that I had a problem with alcohol. At first I thought I was just at the level of having a problem, but, as I would attend AA meetings as an observer I would begin to realize my own addiction to alcohol In September, I accepted the fact that I am an alcoholic. I began attending a Friday night group, called Friday Night Fix. I have also discovered that if necessary, I may need to find additional meetings during the week. I view meetings as a reset button of sorts when my mind starts to wander.

I also began going to a church I wanted to be at, and allowing myself the meditation I needed Finding the experience of peace and my higher power as I see it.

On 12/27/22, I finished my 12-step study. I told myself that I wanted to start sponsoring when I was completed. At the end of *last night's meeting, I added my name to those available to sponsor.

As I reflect on this holiday season, I realize that this is the first time in a very long time that I enjoyed the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas looked very different this year, which is a good thing.

My journey has started and is far from over.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected a year like this one has been

If you or someone you know needs support recovering from drugs or alcohol, call 210-SAY CARE.

PETSOF RISERECOVERY

Only A Paw Print Away

People struggling with mental and physical setbacks can benefit greatly from having an animal companion Having a service animal for physical or emotional support increases the individual's wellbeing. Data shows, 16.1% of all Americans have been diagnosed with depression in their lifetime.

Pet (dog) ownership, has been linked to multiple positive physical, psychological, and psychosocial health outcomes Evidence from studies exploring pet ownership and other animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) suggests positive physical health outcomes include: cardiovascular benefits, increased physical activity, reduced cortisol levels, and lower blood pressure, particularly in response to stress. Dog ownership can improve psychological outcomes including lower depression, decreased loneliness, improved general psychological well-being, social interactions, and can act as a catalyst in building social networks and a conduit for building social capital.

By:

Katina Adcock, Young Adult Program Coordinator

Follow Rise Recovery on Social Media @riserecovery

Service dogs, Emotional Support Animals, and Therapy Animals

By: Mary Kate Brown, Training & Partner Coordinator

There are many differ animals, such as seein response, diabetic aler autism assistance, and They require extensiv from 18-24 months an training, socialization, training, and task train service animals are pr Americans Disabilitie can be accompanied b anywhere that the gen

Emotional Support An different shapes and si common ones are dog birds, reptiles, and ma of an emotional suppo doctor’s or therapist's p g of one These animals provide comfort and therapeutic support to someone with a mental impairment alignment or disability. The main difference between an emotional support animal and a service animal is that the emotional support animal has no specialty training required. Because they do not require specialized training, they are not covered under the ADA but they do have housing rights under the Fair Housing Act

service animal are: the handler MUST have a disability diagnosed by a medical professional, and the animal must be trained to mitigate that disability Service animals provide a specific service to their handler, such as guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting to many variations of medical conditions, alerting their handler of PTSD or anxiety-related attacks, and so much more

The job of a Therapy Animal is to provide comfort and assistance to people in nursing homes, hospitals, treatment centers, schools, and more. Therapy Animals require certification and must pass a test They do have required obedience training and socialization work in order to pass the test. Therapy dogs are not covered under the ADA and are only allowed in places where they have been invited to work there

So, what is it that makes this bond, that has transformed over several centuries, so strong?

Studies have shown that pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression, they have lower blood pressure in stressful situations, and they have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels Playing with an animal can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine. Even watching a fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and lower pulse rate Even if you don’t have a Mongolian hunting hawk, your companion is providing you with more than hair and slobber: They are providing love and relief. So let's cherish our fun furry friends!

BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOURSELF

Recently, in the height of the holiday season, one of San Antonio’s longstanding leaders, Councilman Clayton Perry, demonstrated the very public and tragic behavior of excessive drinking and drunk driving, resulting in a hitand-run accident. His own statements indicate that he may have more than just a passing problem with alcohol. Substance use disorder, commonly known as “addiction,” is defined as the regular use of substances to the point of causing significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities. As people in recovery like to say, “If you’re continuing to do something despite the negative consequences, you have a problem ” In this case, I’m here to tell you that if you commonly drive under the influence, even if you haven’t “been caught” yet, you have a problem with substance use.

Substance Use Disorder does not discriminate. It can affect every kind of person. Research has long confirmed that having an alcohol disorder is not a moral failing, but a disease of the brain. People with this disorder often fail to “just stop” because these chemicals tell the brain that it cannot cope without them. Help is available, but the stigma associated with having a substance use problem causes many people to delay getting help. When Councilman Perry was found under the influence, it may have been the most important intervention of his life No one says, “I think I want to lose all control of my faculties today” or “I think I want to risk the lives of others ” San Antonio Councilman Perry was lucky to not have killed someone In 2019 in Bexar County alone, a reported 60 drunk-driving incidents resulted in fatalities. San Antonio is one of the five worst cities in the nation for drunk driving.

In other words, we have a lot of people on our highways who need to be on the road of recovery Think about the many others who made it safely home despite driving drunk What are they to think when they read about the Councilman? My hope is that they recognize the risks they put themselves and community members in, and that the Councilman’s story is the intervention they need to get help.

If you are truly struggling with substances today, you are not alone. Let Councilman Perry’s situation challenge you to get the help you need You don’t need to hit rock bottom to change course Be accountable for yourself and reach out to a professional before that significant consequence. Not getting help until you’ve irreparably harmed another life is irresponsible. Accountability is saying, “I recognize that I need the help now.”

There are resources available. Call our helpline, 210SAY-CARE to get connected to recovery resources across Bexar County Rise Recovery provides drug and alcohol recovery support to Bexar County at no cost We provide community-based peer counseling, support groups, school-based programming at various Independent School Districts, and our very own recovery high school for young people struggling to stay sober in their current environment.

If you need help, seek it now, before the damage is irreversible You deserve it Your family deserves it Your community deserves it Visit www.riserecovery.org to learn more

By: Evita Morin,