R U OK Day is a vital part of Australia’s mental health landscape. It’s a fantastic reminder to check in with each other. It encourages us to stop, ask and really listen to the people around us, reminding us to check in with friends, family and colleagues, asking a simple but powerful question: Are you okay?
Being an emergency service worker is tough—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Whether you’re a paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, your constant exposure to high-stress situations can start to take a toll over time. It’s not just about handling the moments of crisis—it’s about how you handle the aftermath, day after day.
Recovery from addiction is a courageous and challenging journey, one that requires immense strength and resilience. As friends and family of someone in recovery, you play a vital role in your loved one’s healing process. It’s about more than just being there when they need you, it’s about understanding the unique struggles they face, particularly when it comes to peer pressure.
The journey from addiction to recovery is certainly challenging, often marked by setbacks. For many, these setbacks come in the form of relapse. It’s important to remember that while relapse can feel like a failure, it does not mark the end of your recovery journey; in fact for many, it’s part of it.
If you’re on a journey of recovery from addiction, you already know it’s about much more than just saying no to substances. It’s about saying yes to a whole new way of life. New outlooks, new passions and new directions, both personally and professionally.
When someone you love begins their journey from addiction to recovery, it all starts with a critical first step: detoxification. Put simply, detox is the body’s method of clearing out the toxins accumulated from long-term substance use. For friends and family, understanding and supporting this process is critical. It can be daunting to watch someone you love go through detox, but knowing what to expect can make you a pillar of support during this pivotal time.
Asking for help isn’t easy, especially for those struggling with PTSD or addiction. As a friend or family member, it’s important to recognise there are many mental and physical barriers that can deter a person from asking for support.
Hope in Health’s innovative and integrative approach to rehabilitation was born out of great adversity. Struggling with a seemingly unshakable dependence to drugs and alcohol
