Charlotte Rescue Mission’s Post

If you risk making the person you love the most in life ALSO your best friend there is huge risk! If they leave you, lie, or betray you (or all three), you most likely also lose your best friend! You cannot trust a spouse OR a close friend who lies to you, and/or betrays you. That is a tragedy of the deepest proportions and this sometimes will cost a person their life in an extreme example. It is so true that when you suffer that tragedy, and I will include the word trauma, you can either grow numb and stay there, or you can pick up the pieces and move ahead. Many people who suffer loss, can, and often do, take their own lives or turn to drugs to numb the pain, which then often leads to addiction, sometimes homelessness, then death. It happens when the logical mind is overpowered by the emotional side of the brain and you add in a broken heart, and it can often be a deadly combination for many people, from which they never recover. I have one friend who lost her son to addiction two years ago and is fighting to stay alive now. She is becoming homeless, losing her job, and cannot see her children because the abusive father will not allow it and her options are dwindling. She may leave us at any time. Suicide can affect anyone at any age and in fact, seniors are the fastest growing segment of our population now than any other age group. There are lives at stake. I can say that safely because I nearly lost my life over the trauma and pain that I was going through, and I’m glad that I didn’t. Some people are not so fortunate, and they do lose their life. That is exactly why I dedicated the rest of my life to helping save lives with my documentaries, websites, magazines, TV shows, and films. I use media to reach millions of people who suffer tragedy, or will in the future. Trust me on this too, we NEVER know what the future holds. Never! Learn to deal with it now, and be a deeper person. To see some of our topics that address these issues visit the Help Us Save Lives website. https://lnkd.in/gXfVKGNm

The Mission - In The News. Please read our latest op-ed on Mosaic, a platform by NJ.com, Co-authored by Barrett Young, CEO of The Mission, and Robert Budsock, CEO of Integrity House, this piece sheds light on the successful use of mobile community outreach vehicles. These vehicles traverse city areas where individuals grappling with addiction and homelessness often gather, offering a beacon of hope and assistance. https://lnkd.in/eJdYm9ZV The article underscores the power of shared experiences, stating, "Significantly, many of the people who are on the front lines of this effort can share their own lived experiences with addiction, enabling them to create a bond with the drug user and earn their trust. By meeting people where they are in their journey and acknowledging the challenges they face, harm reduction fosters a non-judgmental and supportive environment." Shockingly, the article reveals that an average of seven lives are lost every day to overdoses in New Jersey. "At its heart, harm reduction shows that we genuinely care and want to help the individuals and families who are being devastated by this crisis. It is a compassionate way of keeping people alive who are struggling with addiction so that when they are ready, they can find the help they need to recover. Amid this ongoing crisis, we can have an impact. By increasing awareness and being there when someone is ready to recover, we can offer a ray of hope – one person at a time. It starts with caring." Read the full article and join us in the conversation: https://lnkd.in/efWSwqAS

Do you know someone in addiction recovery? Consider gifting The Recovery Marathon for them! As a supporter, you know that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. The Recovery Marathon is a new tool in the recovery toolbox. Sign-up here: https://zurl.co/tSQD

Frankie Garcia joins South Coast Chronicles and shares his heartfelt story of family, addiction, and loss. Frankie opens up about his brother’s tragic fentanyl overdose and the drive behind starting Two Lanes of Freedom. They dive into the stark reality of drug addiction and the importance of awareness, with Frankie shedding light on personal struggles and the broader societal issue. This episode offers a raw, intimate look at the real impact of the fentanyl crisis and Frankie’s journey from grief to advocacy. #loveyourself #recoveryjourney #recoverysupport #family #brothers #recovery #sobrietyjourney #fentanylawareness #racing #twowheels   0:57 – Reviving Two Lanes of Freedom against addiction, particularly fentanyl. 5:48 – Brother pursued stability and Frankie raced motorcycles. 7:17 – Questioning, confronting suspicions, and gradually convincing others. 11:31 – Injury led to addiction and limited help was available. 15:54 – Struggling with a loved one’s addiction, finding ways to cope, and helping others in similar situations.  17:14 – Struggled to guide younger sibling and regrets getting angry. 21:41 – Supports addicts with love and understanding of their situation. 24:14 – Family honors deceased sibling by finding strength in racing and memories of their brother’s spirit.  27:49 – Raising funds for important causes and to raise awareness. 30:02 – Focusing on 2024, improving, and planning for next year. https://lnkd.in/gk-Dv639

September 10th is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. I always find it a frustrating day because sometimes it can seem so difficult to move the dial. In 2003 my brother whom I idolised, died by suicide aged 31. He was one of over 400 people who made that drastic choice that year. In 2023, the number was still over 400. Ever since Fintan’s tragic death, I’ve tried my best to contribute to raising awareness around the importance of positive mental health, writing many articles about my experience of life after a family suicide incuding personal opinion pieces for The Sunday Independent and The Irish Times 21 years later, I can still vividly recall every traumatising detail of that horrific experience. As a child abuse survivor, I absolutely believe in talk therapy and I know firsthand that it’s life saving. The amazing work that so many organisations do in this space deserves our support. I’m delighted that the new owners of Beat 102 103, Bauer Media Group has partnered with Pieta this year to raise awareness of help that is available. The awareness campaign is across all its youth and music stations in Ireland including Spin, Spin South West, Red FM iRadio Ireland and Beat 102 103 It doesn’t have to be this way. #NoMoreSilence Important Note: if you work in the media and plan to talk about suicide on air this week, it might be worth re-familiarising yourself with Samaritan guidelines around this topic so you don’t unintentionally offend survivors or those bereaved by suicide e.g the term “committed suicide” implies a crime was committed. Suicide in Ireland was decriminalised in the 90s so that term deserves to be cast aside to the history books.

A powerful interview with my friend and former colleague!

HAPPY RECOVERY MONTH! It is important to remember all aspects of recovery—the victories, the struggles and the silent battles. This month, we honor those who found their path to recovery, those that left their recovery and those who never discovered the support and solutions that could have saved them. Some leave this world ignoring or never knowing the fact that recovery was within reach, a heart-wrenching reminder of the work still needed to spread awareness and hope. For many, the familiar coping mechanisms, however destructive, feel safer than the vulnerability required to heal. Recovery isn't chosen by everyone, not because it's unavailable, but because the leap towards change is a daunting one. There is still a HUGE amount of stigma attached to people who need recovery. This stops more than we will ever know. There are many individuals who've come back from the brink—those who have survived multiple hospital visits, incarcerations, lost everything to their addiction and have managed to rebuild their lives from the ashes. Their stories are testaments to the strength and tenacity of the human spirit. This Recovery Month, let’s pledge to reach out, to speak up, and to extend a hand. Whether it's sharing resources, offering a listening ear, or simply talking openly about the realities of recovery, every action counts. Do whatever you can to erase the stigma around having an addiction. Together, we can build a community that not only remembers those we've lost but also lights the way for those still searching for their path to recovery. #RecoveryMonth #addictionawareness#HopeAndHealing #recoveryispossible #RememberingTheLost

You know, the UK government has really dropped the ball on helping people beat addiction. There are so many issues making it tough to get the support needed. Support varies wildly between areas—some places have decent services, while others have next to nothing. The stigma around addiction as a moral failing stops many from seeking help. Even when help is available, it's often incomplete, like getting medical treatment without the necessary psychological and social support. It’s frustrating to see so many people slipping through the cracks. I personally feel to address these issues, it's crucial that charities and organizations working to combat addiction come together and collaborate. By working together, they can: Share Resources and Expertise: Organizations can pool their resources and share expertise to provide better and more comprehensive care. Advocate for Better Funding: A united front can be more effective in advocating for increased government funding and better policies. Raise Awareness: Joint efforts can help reduce the stigma around addiction and educate the public about the importance of treating it as a health issue. Provide Consistent Support: Collaboration can help ensure that support is more consistent across different regions, so everyone has access to the help they need. By working together, charities and organizations can make a significant difference in the lives of those struggling with addiction, helping them to recover and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. https://lnkd.in/dM4wZ9JG #addictionawareness #supportrecovery #endthestigma #fundmentalhealth #TogetherWeCan

The fine line between loving and enabling Have you ever thought your actions could be enabling your son’s or daughter’s disease? There’s a fine line between loving and enabling. “If I say yes to his request, am I helping him get better or enabling his disease?” “If I lend her money for transportation, am I helping or enabling her?” “If I do this, am I loving or enabling them?” These are questions all of us ask ourselves almost every day. Sometimes it can be nerve-wracking to figure it out because their behaviors are so erratic. You can’t tell if you’re helping or enabling. Their disease is so good at lying and getting what they want. But not anymore. One person with addiction in the LoveAnotherWay JumpStart Guide phrased the difference between loving and enabling so clearly… Every mom who listened went “AHA” instantly. Suddenly, everything became clear. Now, they started SEEING which kind of behavior is loving and which kind is enabling. And they see why. Once you invest in the LoveAnotherWay JumpStart Guide, you’ll see what the fine line is. As clear as day. It’s a refreshing revelation that no one has talked about. Only people with addiction know this. Now it’s your turn. Click here to invest in the LoveAnotherWay JumpStart Guide and you’ll see what I mean. https://lnkd.in/egu-wKj4 Find a pocket of joy in your day today. Barbara 🙏 P.S. LoveAnotherWay JumpStart Guide is perfect for moms who want to dip their toes and evaluate whether Love Another Way works for them without pouring in too much time and money upfront. #recovery #OvercomeAddiction #loveanotherway

I used to live everyday killing myself. It wasn’t intentional. It was the grasp of addiction that was slowly taking my life away, killing my friends, ostracising me from family, and ultimately ready to take me out. Cunning. Baffling. Powerful. By the grace of God, my own hardheadedness, and the love of others, I made it out, but still see it often in the work that we do on the streets, in the traps, in our own halfway houses. Drugs do not discriminate. They don’t care about status, affiliations, careers, financial gains or lack thereof, they just don’t care. We are here for anyone struggling with addiction. We understand it because we’ve been through the worst of it. We have the best volunteer treatment intake coordinator on earth, and he can place someone in rehab anywhere in the world and does so with patience and love because he has also been through the worst of it. We have housing for folks in early recovery, and housing for folks in more matured recovery where we help them rebuild their lives and get back on firm financial footing. We offer job training, counseling coordination, and more - but we can’t do this without help, and that means funding - if you’re looking to help out and get a tax write off at the same time, click wefightmonsters.org/donate, say a prayer, and see what you’re led to contribute to a cause that is truly helping the least of us, never lining pockets.