‘New Day’ Empowers for New Life

Addiction is frequently at the forefront of discussions about homelessness. However, addiction and its relationship to homelessness are often misunderstood.

While some homeless persons do not struggle with addiction, substance abuse can be a factor in someone becoming homeless, just as it can be a result of homelessness. As one of our patients ex­plained:

Before, I didn’t drink very much. But when I was sleeping on the streets and was depressed, exhausted, or cold, I began to use drugs and alcohol to soothe myself.

Many of our patients who struggle with addiction were exposed to alcohol or drugs as young teenagers. Individuals who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin drinking at 21. Some men develop an addiction later in life after a painful loss or traumatic event. Some don’t notice their growing dependence on substances until it has overpowered them.

While we focus primarily on the medical concerns that bring patients through our doors, we know that there are often emo­tional and mental wounds in need of healing, as well.

In rec­ognition, our staff developed the New Day Addictions Recovery Program in 2000. Since that time, we have seen 268 participants graduate from the program. New Day is based on the 12-Step Recovery Program. Classes are held three times a week at Christ House and are open to all partici­pants.

This evidence-based, participant-directed program identifies and ad­dresses difficult emotions, explains abuse-associated behaviors and consequences, and teaches coping mechanisms and healthy habits.

A key component of the cur­riculum is interactive journaling which helps participants to person­alize and internalize their recovery. This practice encourages them to reflect on the material discussed in class and ask, “What does this mean to me?”

The curriculum progresses through six chapters:

1. Substance Abuse: discusses how addiction creates physical and behavioral problems.
2. First Step: explains that the first step of recovery is ‘admitting the problem’ by having the par­ticipant reflect on areas of life that have become unmanageable.
3. Spirituality: helps partici­pants develop an understanding of their higher power and its effect on their life.
4. Feelings: describes the ‘four big feelings’ (shame, grief, anger, and fear), how they play into ad­diction, and how to manage them well.
5. Relapse Prevention: pro­vides tools and advice to avoid pitfalls that could lead to relapse.
6. Life Management: offers guidance on developing healthy habits for stress management, nutrition, active living, sleep, finances, and time management.

While the personal reflec­tion and lifestyle change demanded by the program is challenging, Addictions Coun­selor Petrina Williams reminds us that “you can’t conquer what you don’t confront.”

New Day participants find motivation and sup­port within the class commu­nity as they share their stories, their struggles, and their daily triumphs.

After completing the 12-week program and all required assign­ments, participants are honored at a graduation ceremony. New Day graduations are highly anticipated and joyous celebrations. Fellow participants, Kairos Program mem­bers, staff, and sometimes even the graduates’ friends and family attend this important milestone. The ceremony offers each gradu­ate an opportunity to share about their past, their recovery, and their dreams for the future.

To understand the transforma­tion that this program ignites and sustains, we invite you to attend a graduation ceremony. The next ceremony will be on June 7th. To RSVP, email devel­opment@christhouse.org or call 202-328-1100.

This was the feature article in our Spring Newsletter – view the whole newsletter here!