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By Nitish Nattudurai
As national attention drifts from the opioid crisis, individuals discover that their journey to recovery often starts not in hospitals or courtrooms, but through the power of personal connections and community support.
People in recovery often describe reaching a point where survival depended not on strength alone, but on support. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who receive medication assisted treatment (MAT) combined with counseling are significantly more likely to sustain long term recovery.
In shelters across the nation, employees frequently witness the struggles and small victories of those battling addiction, noting that addiction often stems from deeper systemic issues rather than being the primary cause of homelessness. Studies conducted by researchers at San Diego State University suggest that people dealing with homelessness are likely to misuse opioids, but they can also succeed in their recovery.
Those on the front lines in the shelter system notice that recovery starts when stability is brought into the situation. The simple things in life, like a safe place to sleep, meals on a regular basis, and healthcare, make it possible for the individual to work on recovery instead of just surviving. Research supporting the housing first initiative indicates that providing stable housing significantly reduces relapse rates, emergency room visits, and overdose fatalities.
Many individuals in recovery return to the shelters as mentors, counselors, and outreach workers, providing invaluable guidance and hope to others navigating the path to recovery. Their presence as mentors and counselors underscores that recovery is a testament to the power of community support.
Recovery occurs when society begins to treat the problem of opioid addiction, rather than simply discarding people.
As the opioid crisis endures, the challenge of sustaining recovery efforts underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy changes and increased funding for addiction treatment programs.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
