Living Authentically in Recovery: The Power of Community

This blog is part of our Power of Healing series, which explores powerful journeys of healing and recovery, and the resilience that fuels them.

“How can we live our best authentic lives if we have to hide who we are?” – Chetana M. 

Authenticity is at the heart of recovery. It’s about embracing who we are, finding belonging, and rewriting our stories without fear or shame. In this blog, we are spotlighting some of the inspiring voices of the Georgia Recovers Community Impact Committee (CIC)—nine remarkable individuals who embody resilience, advocacy, and the power of community. 

Their journeys remind us that recovery is not just about overcoming challenges; it’s about building connections, reclaiming identities, and finding spaces where we can be seen and valued. Whether through faith, family, or the unwavering support of those who truly understand, these stories illustrate that recovery is real—and that no one has to walk the path alone. In this month’s Power of Healing blog entry, Jody Bogle from Georgia Recovers, celebrates these champions of recovery, their courage, and the impact they are making across Georgia. 

“Honored” is the first word that comes to mind when I think about what it’s like to collaborate with the incredible members of the Georgia Recovers Community Impact Committee (CIC). These six individuals below represent the fullness of Georgia’s robust recovery community – from those with lived experience to staunch advocates. Serving on the CIC may not be their full-time gig, but they give it their all. From providing invaluable feedback on campaign content, to planning and hosting webinars, these local superstars exemplify the power of community collaboration. When you get to know them and learn their stories of healing and recovery, you’ll become a fan too.  

Rather than simply writing about their journeys, I wanted to let their voices speak for themselves. Throughout this blog post, you’ll find direct quotes from CIC members alongside links to their full stories in video format. Their words are more powerful than anything I could write, and we invite you to listen to their experiences firsthand. 

Just one person can make a difference in someone's recovery journey. While Keya has faced judgement for her substance use disorder (SUD), she’s also felt genuinely seen by others and those compassionate interactions have gotten her where she is today.

“There were some church members who turned their nose up when I walked by. But there were some—it was one lady, and she just came up to me and said, ‘Can I pray for you?’ She grabbed my hands. And that felt like that was some genuine love. And she prayed for me. To have that love, just to have people that understand where we've been, is amazing.” 

Jimbo was told it would not be possible to live out his recovery journey in his hometown, but his faith helped him defy expectations and he now serves this same community in his work every day. He reminisces on the naysayers, 

“I can remember when I came home from my fourth and final incarceration. I was kind of counted out from the go—from the jump, you know?  And everybody was worried about me coming back to my hometown and like, ‘Man, I think you should go somewhere else,’ you know? And like, ‘You’re never going to be able to do this out here.’ But that wasn't what I was feeling on the inside. I was just going to do the next right thing. And as long as I'm pleasing God, then…that's between them and God. And that just released so much pressure off of me…and allowed me to get out and, really start this new journey…that I'm on now.” 

For Chetana, finding community connection was key to her recovery. She mentions, 

“They ticked these boxes for me that was – made it feel like I was finally becoming something that I never ever felt in my entire life before. And that's being a part of something, a part of the community. I cannot tell you how many times I've heard other people's stories and that one congruent line runs through all of them.” 

Heather describes her journey to rebuild her relationship with her son. She states, 

“I can remember the last place that I went to get sober again. I remember getting my call schedule and calling him immediately to let him know the days and times that I could receive a phone call from him and it not being a priority for him. And I think that is when I realized just how damaging it had been, how absent I'd been. Because he didn't, he didn't want to call me, and he had every right to feel that way. And so, I was able to accept that, that—this is when I finally sustained long term recovery—and I was able to start seeing my part in a lot of things. And so I just sort of left the ball in his court. And as time went on and he could see that Mom wasn't coming back just to leave again, because that's what I did for years. When he could finally trust that I actually sustained recovery is when we were able to start mending our relationship.”  

Mother and daughter, Cathy and Catherine, show that recovery can be a family matter. Catherine states: “We were always doing the best we could with what we had. And what we had was not healthy. So, this has been, I mean, this has been a journey…we've been learning each other. That can be difficult at times. It can be amazing at times. It's just kind of ebbs and flows, you know? …We've been learning how to grow together and, like, let each other have their own pathway. And, dude, the laughing is hands down my favorite, because I always had this overwhelming joy just with the life that I have today. But I didn't know I had that from my mom until she got in recovery. And then I was like, dang, that’s where all my loudness, laughter, just being me—it all come from my mom. But we never knew that because we were never in recovery.” 

The stories shared by the Georgia Recovers Community Impact Committee (CIC) highlight the Power of Healing—not just in overcoming challenges but in embracing authenticity, building meaningful connections, and creating a future filled with hope. These community champions remind us to live out loud authentically and that recovery is possible, regardless of age or personal history. Most importantly, they remind us that community connections are what sustain us. I’m so grateful I got a front-row seat for this season of their journey, and I hope their stories inspire others to embrace the power of recovery and belonging. By understanding the deep-rooted connections between trauma and addiction, we can foster more compassionate, effective approaches to recovery—helping individuals heal and thrive. 

Resources on Trauma, Recovery, and Addiction 

For those interested in learning more about the connection between trauma, addiction, and recovery, here are several valuable resources: 

• Childhood Trauma and Substance Use Disorders: Breaking the Cycle: This blog from the Council on Recovery highlights how childhood trauma can rewire the brain, increasing vulnerability to Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). However, trauma-informed care and community support can help individuals heal and build resilience.  

• Georgia Council for Recovery:  Georgia Council for Recovery (GC4R) is a statewide advocacy and support organization dedicated to enhancing recovery services for individuals impacted by SUDs. It focuses on policy advocacy, workforce development, and community engagement to strengthen recovery ecosystems across Georgia. 

• Georgia Recovers is an evidence-based public health campaign aimed to reduce the prejudice and judgement associated with SUDs in Georgia. The campaign is brought to you by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and builds off the pivotal work of the Georgia Council for Recovery.    

• Neuroscience and Trauma Recovery Research from the National Library of Medicine explores how trauma impacts brain function and how targeted therapies, such as mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral interventions, can aid in SUD recovery. 

• Recovery and Support | SAMHSA: This SAMHSA resource emphasizes that recovery is a lifelong journey built on health, home, purpose, and community. It highlights key principles such as person-centered care, peer support, and trauma-informed approaches, providing evidence-based tools and resources for individuals, families, and providers. 

• Resilience as a Protective Factor in Recovery: Studies highlight the role of resilience in mitigating the effects of childhood trauma. Community support, positive coping strategies, and access to mental health services contribute to better recovery outcomes. 

• The Link Between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Substance Use Disorders This blog from AFMC highlights research that shows individuals with high ACE scores are at greater risk for SUD. Addressing trauma through early interventions and supportive environments can significantly improve recovery outcomes. 

  
  

This blog post was curated by Jody Bogle, MPH, a Senior Director of Community Engagement for the National Stigma Initiative at Shatterproof, using the stories of lived experience from Community Impact Committee (CIC) members of the Georgia Recovers campaign, that were collected and produced by GA Recovers program staff at Shatterproof including: Annie Blum, Asha Carroll, Ashley Narvaez, Dayanna Cespedes, and Jayla Head.  

Georgia Recovers is an evidence-based public health campaign, developed by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and built upon the foundational work of the Georgia Council for Recovery.