More Than Recovery: What Two Years at Natural State Has Taught Me

As I approach my two-year anniversary with Natural State Recovery Centers, I’ve found myself reflecting on how much I’ve learned. Navigating the world of addiction treatment in Arkansas has taught me not just about the clinical side of recovery, but about addiction itself and the resilient people working so hard to overcome it.

Learning the Ropes of Addiction Treatment

When I first came to Natural State, I really didn’t know much about the ins and outs of a treatment center. I didn’t know what all the acronyms meant—Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Inpatient (IP)—or much about insurance, HIPAA, the admissions process, and all the other pieces that go into helping someone get into treatment. I had a lot to learn.

Thankfully, I had people around me who were patient enough to teach me.

One of the first things our CEO, Dori Haddock, told me was that if I was going to work in this field, I needed to understand what our clients were learning. She encouraged me to learn about NA and AA and sent me information about the 12 Steps. She told me to learn what our clients were learning, because it would help me understand them better.

That advice stuck with me.

For my first two days at Natural State, I basically went through the program like a client. I sat in classes, participated in exercises, listened, asked questions, ate lunch with everyone, and got to know some of our clients.

And yes, I still remember the lunch! We had chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and a brownie, and it was really good.

The People Behind the Addiction

But what I remember most are the people.

I remember sitting in a class listening to our lead therapist, David, talk about finding a higher power. He explained that for many people coming into treatment, their addiction has become their higher power. Drugs or alcohol are controlling their decisions, their relationships, and so much of their life. Recovery means finding something greater than that addiction. Because of my own faith, that conversation really touched me.

I also remember a young mother navigating treatment while separated from her infant who required medical care. She made the agonizing choice to be away from her baby because she knew she needed to work on herself and her addiction to be the mother her child deserved. I remember thinking how incredibly hard that had to be.

Then there was a client who had been living unhoused prior to treatment. During one of our classes, we were talking about routine and the little things we do every day. I told the group that one of the first things I do every morning is make my bed. I like seeing it made. It makes me feel like I have started my day off right. Then I get dressed, brush my hair, put on my makeup, and get ready for the day. They may seem like small things, but sometimes small things matter.

The next day, that gentleman came into class with his hair brushed and nicer clothes on. He just looked different. He looked like he was trying.

I have never forgotten that.

I think that was one of the first times I really began to understand that behind the word “addiction” is a person. A mother. A father. A son. A daughter. Somebody who has a story and somebody who is trying to put their life back together.

The Power of Community in Arkansas Recovery

Over the last two years, I’ve also learned just how important community is in recovery. I remember our first Thanksgiving together in the gym, with clients able to bring their families and all of us sharing a Thanksgiving meal. I’ve watched our staff work incredibly hard, and I’ve seen how much they genuinely care about the people we serve.

I’ve also learned how important community is on the business development side.

When I was new, there were other business development people I could call and ask questions—even questions I probably thought were silly at the time. They helped me understand insurance, different facilities, how they handled certain situations, and just how this whole world of behavioral health works.

That made a lasting impression on me, and it is one reason I believe so strongly in building relationships with other people in our field.

Whether it’s Recovery Connections in Little Rock, the Conway Wellness and Recovery Alliance, or the relationships we are now building with mental health professionals in Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas, I believe we are better when we work together.

We don’t have to compete to help people.

Healing is About the Person, Not the Bed

Sometimes Natural State is the right place for someone, and sometimes it isn’t. Our job should be to help that person get where they need to be.

For example, Natural State does not admit couples together. Recovery is a time when each person needs to be able to focus on themselves, their own addiction, and their own healing without bringing the dynamics of that relationship into treatment. We may be able to help one person while helping the other find another facility that is a better fit.

And I think that says a lot about what I have learned during these two years. It isn’t about filling a bed. It’s about helping a person.

Two years ago, I knew very little about addiction treatment. Today, I know enough to understand just how complicated addiction and recovery really are. I’ve learned about treatment and insurance and programs, but the biggest lessons haven’t come from learning acronyms.

They’ve come from people.

I’ve learned about compassion. I’ve learned about accountability. I’ve learned about faith, routine, second chances, and the importance of having people around you who want to see you succeed.

Most of all, these two years have reinforced something I’ve always believed: good goes around. When we help one another, when we share resources, when we make a phone call for somebody, and when we care more about getting a person the right help than about who gets the referral, we all succeed.

And most importantly, the person who needs help succeeds.

As I approach two years with Natural State Recovery Centers, I’m very thankful—for the people who took the time to teach me, for our staff who do this work every day, for the professionals in the recovery community who have become friends, and especially for the clients who have allowed me to learn from their stories.

I came to Natural State thinking I needed to learn about the addiction treatment business. What I ended up learning was a whole lot more about people.

Learn More About Addiction & Recovery

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – About Recovery: SAMHSA explains that recovery is personal and can include treatment, faith, peer and family support, self-care, purpose, and community—all things I have come to understand much better during my time at Natural State.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: This research-based guide explains the complexity of addiction and why effective treatment has to address the individual and the different areas of life affected by addiction.

• Alcoholics Anonymous – The Twelve Steps: The official AA resource explains the Twelve Steps and the spiritual principles that are such an important part of many people's recovery journeys. Learning about the Steps was one of the first things I was encouraged to do when I came to Natural State.

Take the Next Step

If you or a loved one are ready to seek help, Natural State Recovery Centers is here to support you. Contact our admissions team today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you start your journey.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.