At our August 29 New Canaan Vigil, I introduced the concept of Power of Story. By this, I meant that recovery stories told, in a courageous, vulnerable way, saves lives. I have even quantified it, even though–as I mentioned–I have no academic or work-related credentials. I said that every story told openly results in at least one life saved.
Why am I so big on recovery stories, whether by a loved one who struggled or their family member? Because of the evidence I have seen in the 100+ occasions where I’ve listened to a testimonial at one of our Vigils or other open sessions. or through the Recovery Blog section of our newsletter. When a story told is vulnerable, addressing the fact that the narrator struggled in the past–and then describes a specific recovery pathway–it can be powerful indeed.
Emotionally, these stories affect me. I also can see it in others around me. As we take in a story of redemption, we are touched and inspired. While this alone may not cause someone to specifically engage in treatment or call for help, the testimonial can move a person who struggles into the “contemplation” stage of change. They may reach out to a friend and ask if they can talk. They may investigate types of treatment, like a therapist, 12-Step Meeting, intensive outpatient program, or even a 28-day rehab. They also may just stop using, or at least moderate their use.
At the Vigil, I stated that I believe the NCPSG community has saved 100 Lives, by just multiplying the number of stories told by 1 life saved each time. While there are many models out there, which in theory work to help those with addiction and mental health disorders, I’m convinced that for NCPSG we have made a difference with storytelling.
New Canaan Parent Support Group’s two-pronged Mission is to: 1) support parents in a safe, confidential setting; and 2) raise awareness and educate to save lives in our community. With this 8th Annual Vigil on August 29, 2024, I stated for the first time a core NCPSG belief: that lives are saved by being open and vulnerable in sharing stories of recovery. We will make this belief a guiding principle in our actions going forward.