It is another week, in the neighborhood, with my fellow staff members and our clients. The clients come and go and some come and go regularly. Some arrive by ambulance, police or PO, some show up on their own and some because of friends and family who care. There is a constant flow of people who need our help. There appears to be no recession in the addiction recovery business.
The staff although in a regular state of flux is always there for those we serve. That is the nature of helping professionals; we keep showing up to help.
Those who work in the compassionate fields of human services tend to stay for a while until they need a break or just some time to renew. Some travel to get away, some change jobs regularly to keep variety as an energizer, some stay and develop their skills and a sense of humor to make this work ok. Some numb out in less than health ways.
Yes there are lots that go on in this kind of work that most people would have a difficult time dealing with or have the patience needed. Yet despite the challenges there are many good things that happen when we see the glimmer of hope in someone, or they graduate from our program and start to turn their lives around, or we hear someone is doing much better then we expected. There are rewards for this work that come in the form of people being grateful, people starting the road to recovery, people smiling just for the place to stay, eat, clean up and feel better for a while.
Then there are the ones who relapse the same day as their discharge, or are brought back by the police only hours after leaving. There are the ones that say all the right things and put in there time but don’t really seem ready to change. As a professional we learn not to get our egos’ invested in our work because it will be crushed soon if we do. We just keep on holding onto hope that we are making a difference.
Today I am attending a graduation from the Drug Court where one of our clients from our treatment program has completed his over one year and a half program with the Justice system here in Boulder County. It is reason to celebrate because against difficult odds he has succeeded. This will be a celebration of a person really trying to turn his life around. I am glad to participate. It is one of the rewards of our work.
Hope and purpose are two very powerful forces for good in the world. What do you have hope for and what gives your life purpose? If you can answer these two questions sincerely your life will be rewarding no matter the challenges you face. Keep up the good work.