the past 18 months have taught us many life lessons , allowing us to create amazing connections and opportunities , which appeared even though we were going through difficult times . We now apply all these lessons in order to contribute to our family recovery , our amazing recovery coaching community and provide hope to others .

We truly discovered the gifts of recovery in so many moments , conversations , and situations that before we only thought were difficult times . In those virtual rooms we met an eclectic mix of extremely remarkable and diverse people as we sought guidance to build the recovery community we knew we desperately needed in the UK .

We not only received knowledge and mentorship , we made life-long friends . Although we were already on a recovery coaching journey , the team at the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery ( CCAR ) believed in us , empowered us , supported us to make a bigger impact , and believed in our ability to do it .

We have created Recovery Coach Academy , become the first CCAR authorised recovery coach trainers , and the first recovery coach professionals in the UK . Calliese is now the youngest member on the board of trustees for FAVOR UK . Naetha Uren and Calliese Conner , mother , daughter , family in recovery and founders of www . recoverycoachacademy . co . uk

‘ AN APP ON MY PHONE HELPS ME STAY FOCUSED ’

On occasions , my ongoing recovery / sobriety feels simple and life becomes easy . Other times it ’ s a daily battle to fight off the debating society and negative committee in my head .

I endeavour to take everything one step at a time . Being grateful for every morning I wake up clearheaded and without a hangover , not piecing together the night or day before and being apprehensive to check my bank balance and look at social media or my phone , for fear of shame / guilt / remorse . How times have changed and being free of those apprehensions is most welcome .

I have an ‘ I Am Sober ’ app on my phone in order to track progress of my ongoing recovery and sobriety that details such things as money saved and time spent in active alcoholism . It helps me stay focused when things get tough , as they often do .

Comprehending how much time and effort has gone into my recovery , and how much that means to me , is a real motivating factor . I attend the meetings on a daily basis ( Zoom in lockdown and physical now lockdown restrictions have been eased ) and I draw great strength from listening to other

people – what they were like , what happened and what they ’ re like now . Meetings are a great distraction to help me get out of my own head , help other people , and the opportunity to share what ’ s on your mind . Robin Whitefield

‘ WELLBEING IS AT THE CORE ’

Focus on recovery can often be distilled down to the ‘ five ways to wellbeing ’ and as an individual in long-term recovery , nurturing , practising and feeding these core beliefs are key .

It is so important in my personal recovery , to both its maintenance and leading a fulfilling and meaningful life free of dependency ( not only on substances ). When looking wider there is no magic wand to wellbeing – it ’ s down to these principles being practised and modelled by health citizenship and communities in society and easily replicated across all walks of life .

Unfortunately the pandemic has driven the gaps around inequality wider and distorted some people ’ s abilities to practise these principles for others – even severed them for some – demonstrating that nurture has a bigger part than nature . People who are already unwell are

presenting at services ’ front doors with increasing levels of mental health issues and distress . If there was ever a stark reminder of where addiction can take you , the last 18 months are it . Stuart Green , manager of Aspire drug and alcohol service , Doncaster

‘ EVERYONE BECOMES PART OF MY RECOVERY ’

I volunteer with Recovery Cymru and the local health board and have been in my own recovery for five years this coming October . The most important part of my recovery is meeting new people and being able to share my recovery journey with all the ups and downs but with the message of hope at its heart ; meeting people who just want someone to listen to them – not to be judged or stigmatised , just listened to .

I know what effect it can have through my own journey and the amazing generous people who have helped , and still give me that help , making me realise there is a life after addiction . Just to be part of that process of giving hope back to just one of the people I meet is enough for me . Everyone I meet becomes part of my recovery . Meirion Evans , volunteer with Recovery Cymru

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