James Sutton is back with a new episode of Road to Recovery with special guests Bakri Mckissick who is in long term treatment for addiction. Like many addicts Bakri was attending his groups in person until Covid-19 shut it down in March. These meetings are very important to him because routine and maintaining your support network is very helpful in recovery. Now they use Zoom for meetings and currently have outdoor meetings like a bond fire or yoga or regular too. The pandemic has challenged their routine greatly, but he attributes his recovery skills to maintaining calm during the stress in this challenging time. He has had the same job for 17 years that has evolved into a career and established solid relationships with family members. Bakri just celebrated his 20th year of sobriety! Congratulations!
In August Bakri began not feeling well, so he went to get tested and was positive for Covid-19. He lives in Oxford House, a supportive rehabilitative housing for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics. Four out of five roommates contracted Covid, but with lots of support, food, and loving prayers everyone is now feeling better. Bakri is happy to be past the symptoms he had, comparing it to being worse than his heroin withdrawal and incarceration. He said that the isolation is hard, but Zoom has been a blessing because one can still connect visually and spiritually. People with active addictions can’t get treatment unless they test negative for Covid-19, so having virtual support is key till you can be accepted into a recovery program.
People of recovery have some sayings to get through the trying times like:
Nothing Last Forever
This Too Shall Pass (I use this one when dealing with adversity, think its just a popular saying)
Given Time Some Time
Now Bakri knows there is nothing he can’t get through because he has his Spiritually Principles. Which is a truth or creed that we choose to live by to help become better people.
Recovery is real and worldwide. Color, Race, Religion, or Language doesn’t matter…Recovery exists and works! People in Recovery are now advocates for themselves and are helping eliminate stigma and put a faces or many on recovery like this show, letting the public know they do recover and it is a community effort. We all need to be involved.
Get Help
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
- If you need crisis assistance call the Crisis Center (open 24 hours) at
240-777-4000.
- Call Access to Behavioral Health Services (Mental Health/Substance Abuse Screening and Referral) at 240-777-1170 to discuss resources and referrals.
- If you are seeking services for adolescents and teens, call SASCA (Screening and Assessment Services for Children & Adolescents) at 240-777-1430.
- SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline provides free and confidential information in English and Spanish for individuals and family members facing substance abuse disorders and mental health issues. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1-800-662-HELP (4357) - For more information on teen suicide prevention, please visit BTheOne.org
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