Education can play a significant role in addiction recovery. One of Field of Hope’s goals is to help individuals understand the underlying causes of addiction and provide them with the knowledge and tools necessary to overcome it.
Role of Education In Addiction Recovery
- Understanding the nature of addiction: Education can provide individuals with a better understanding of addiction
- Physical and Mental Health: Specifically, how it develops and impacts their physical and mental health. This knowledge can help them recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction. Knowing these signs can help develop strategies to manage their cravings and triggers. Read more about addiction at Why Addiction Happens.
- Learning coping skills: Education can teach individuals coping skills to help them deal with stress, anxiety, and other triggers that can lead to substance use. Coping skills include relaxation techniques, mindfulness, spiritual and religious practices, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Field of Hope’s 95% success rate is largely due to our faith-based approach to recovery. The National Library of Medicine reports that research shows a person’s effective use of the spiritual resources from their faith contributes to better substance abuse recovery outcomes. Positive religious coping (PRC) may range from prayer to convictions of religious faith and belief itself.
- Developing a support system: Education can help individuals identify and connect with support groups and other resources to provide them with the emotional and social support they need to overcome addiction. Field of Hope hosts events throughout the year to spread the message about the issues affecting our community and where to find help. In August 2022, we hosted an event for Ohio Addiction Awareness Day with some amazing testimonies of recovery.
- Reduce the stigma: Making the community aware of the truths and myths of addiction and the recovery process helps reduce the stigma of those with substance use disorders.
- Improving self-esteem: Education can help individuals build self-esteem and confidence by providing them with a sense of accomplishment and new skills. This can help them feel more empowered and motivated to stay sober. Our clients walk through our doors with varied backgrounds – from individuals who did not finish high school to those with college degrees and professions before addiction took over their life. Field of Hope and Tasha Penwell provide classes to our clients to help with their resume writing skills and provide computer skills training on using Google Docs and Sheets. We’re happy to see that the interest in these classes has doubled in the past year. Tasha Penwell notes that she can see a visible excitement in the clients as they learn new skills and earn ISTE-recognized certificates of completion from Google.
Overall, education can provide individuals with the tools and knowledge necessary to understand and overcome addiction, leading to long-term recovery and a better quality of life.
Organizations such as Field of Hope and Gallia-Jackson-Meigs ADAMH Board work to try to help those who are lost in addiction and unsure where to go or who to turn to. At Field of Hope, we understand that there can be many obstacles when rebuilding a new life in recovery. You will not do this alone. We provide services for drug, alcohol, and gambling addiction recovery and mental health care. Caring staff will walk alongside you to help you put the pieces together from start to finish. Call us today at (740) 245-3051