A Vision...

We have a vision, it is to see this CRC program we offer on campus grow into a strong, structured safe haven for the recovering population. Since we have started this blog a couple months ago I am the only one who has written entries. The student participation is low right now, but it is our hope to have other students come forward and share through this blog. In the mean time we have decided to go a different route.

The only practical solution was to reach out to the community! As a person living in this society I knew it was possible because we like doing things together (Maslow's Hierarchy of needs). In reaching out to other bloggers in the community for different perspectives we have come across a new benchmark.  Everything I have read so far has been inspiring, there is a lot of great information out there and I think making those connections is paramount. The idea of guest writers is another avenue we want to explore. I am not a boring person and this is a really great cause, the people that are helping behind the scenes are courageous and amazing people. So it is only appropriate the blog mirrors the people supporting it.

We are looking to find innovative and creative ways to help people going through tough times. Imposing views on people is not the answer, saying it is easy is not the answer but letting people know it is not the end of the world if they need to stop is instrumental.

We have a vision deep in our hearts,
The days light up and we give it all of our smarts.
We work to bring people together,
closing gaps and starting the next endeavor.
It takes time and ambition to stick it out,
But everyone I work with has no doubt.
The things we do come naturally,
Making it easy to give advocacy.

We have decided to continue the AA meeting starting July 10th, this will be the following Monday after second session begins. The meeting will be the same 6:00pm-7:00pm in Student Health Center, Rm. 293.

Thank you for following, or please join us if you are in recovery, know someone in recovery or just would like to follow us!

Hillary Belk
Undergraduate Assistant
Wellness Promotion, UNC-Charlotte

Check out this helpful link. Great insight and a fresh perspective to the same old situations-:-D!
http://www.esoberbuddy.com/home

An Ah-ha moment

If you would have told me six months before I got sober, "six months from now you will be sober", I would have argued no way and it is against all odds I would even try. Six months before I would have given you some arrogant smart ass comment due to delusions of grandeur. There was no way that could be the case, my whole life revolved around alcohol. The plans always included it, no matter where I was headed. I would even go as far as to say I would have found a way to "glorify alcoholism" (I was the worst active alcoholic), even though it was ruining my life. Before I was in recovery, I remember running into someone who was a couple years sober. I was drinking a Bloody Mary on Sunday (hung over), and I remember just feeling so sorry for him. Thinking he was the "quitter" unbeknownst to me the joke was definitely on me.

So in that very short window of time a switch turned on that I did not think I had. Logical thinking in a drunken stupor helped me to understand something was terribly wrong. Why could I not get my life and health insurance license? Why am I constantly calling people to see what I did last night? Why am I double checking that I did not do anything wrong and if I did call whoever I offended? Why do I have a routine to look out the window to make sure my car is outside the house/my check card and id are in my purse? Why did I lose many jobs? why were people telling me I wreak of alcohol? Why did the people I love constantly address my "problem"? Why am I depressed? why don't I have any ambition? Why was my car totaled? why am I getting cuffed? (I will never forget this internal monologue). Doing an inventory in this moment of truth, it became clear drinking was causing my demise. The time for change became that moment. My whole entire world lit up like the most beautiful blossoming flower. I was forever changed when I quit drinking alcohol.

I walked into it willingly as my present turned into my future. I learned how to deal with it, accept it and embrace the world around me without a drink in my hand.

Anyone can have an "Ah-ha" moment, students around campus may be opposed to the idea of coming to a meeting or hanging out in our designated Collegiate Recovery room. Six months from now the ones who knock it might just need it. Done with substances holding them back. Tired, want change. Ready to see the full potentials that are obtainable.

AA meetings will stop during summer, but we plan on having two in the Fall. Middle of the week Niner Noon Meeting and the usual Campus AA meeting.

Thank you for following, please join us if you are in recovery, know someone in recovery or just would like to follow us!



Hillary Belk
Undergraduate Assistant
Wellness Promotion-UNCC