Summary
In this testimonial, Affect member Jamie shares the impact of community in her recovery, from Affect's online community Circles to her counselor-led groups.
Sometimes, what you think is going to help you change is not what actually succeeds! In this testimonial, Affect member Jamie talks about Affect’s contingency management program which motivates recovery progress through financial rewards. Soon, Jamie learns that the rewards of recovery – community, a sense of purpose – were the real rewards. Listen to her story or read below!
What made you decide to join Affect?
Jamie: I originally chose Affect because of the money that was offered doing the app. I thought that was a great idea. And I soon came to find that Robert, the counselor, was amazing and easy to talk to. Missy was priceless on giving resources, and her groups were great. The community alone was just obviously exactly what I needed at the time that I needed it. I’m gonna miss Affect, and I thanked him greatly for leaving me with the tools to do what I need to do and be the best version of myself that I can be. I would strongly suggest Affect for anyone coming off addiction or needing extra support.
Tell us what your life was like before Affect. What were you struggling with?
Jamie: When I first started Affect, I was the survivor of a violent crime. I had lost my teeth, lost my life. And it had put me in trauma where I made extremely bad choices. I felt alone, isolated. And when I found Affect, I found understanding, I found people that I could align with, I found people that really cared. I can tell you that was worth a million dollars. The care and support that they injected, I was able to find my feet back to who I was, and that is priceless.
How has your life improved since you joined Affect?
Jamie: My life has made complete a rebound, with Missy from North Carolina, she was able to give me the resources to some community involvement like Community 43, where I’m now getting my peer support license to be like her, and I’m getting my food handler license. And I feel like I belong in something greater than myself. And I feel like a part of me has awakened that could have only been supported and nurtured by a team like Affect. So hats off to you guys. Keep on doing it. You’re doing it well.
What has been your favorite part of working with Affect?
Jamie: The community as a whole, the community chats, the group where you got to support other people and other people got to support you. The fact that after you were passed through 1 day sober and 5 days sober, there were other people coming in that was barely getting their 1, and you could think back to where that used to be you. I can’t tell you my favorite aspect, because y’all were so life changing to me.
What advice would you give to someone considering getting treatment?
Jamie: My advice is that you can sit and sit with the grief, sit with the loss, sit with the denial. Or you can give it up, and you can move forward with professionals and with fellowshipping with people that are in your same boat. It’s not a bad boat to be in. We’re all just trying to get up that stream and do the same thing. So I strongly suggest you align yourself with people that are like-minded and grow with them and heal with them. Call it a team effort, man. Affect’s got it going on.
