How To Give Back

I am obsessed with shows about recovering addicts. I love Intervention. I love Celebrity Rehab and Sober House. Even before all those shows, however, I wanted to somehow work with addicts in recovery. I am not a therapist, though, and since I've never abused or had chemical dependencies, I wasn't sure how I could help.

Recently, I decided that if I could find a center that was close, I could possibly teach yoga. I sent out a few letters. Then it happened rather quickly. Someone called. I called back. I started on Monday.

The center where I volunteer is for addicts as well as people with eating disorders and people with mental illnesses. They are all together during exercise time. That means that I'm working with all kinds of people, not just the population I've wanted to work with. The woman in charge explained that everyone there is on an outpatient program and anyone who needs meds is on meds.

At my first session, I walked in and felt completely comfortable. All kinds of people were around. They were all very nice and very outgoing and friendly towards me. When we got into the room to do the yoga, I told everyone to relax, so one guy flopped himself on his back on the floor and was like, Is this okay? I shrugged and said, You may want to sit up. He did.

I am thankful for my time at Briarcliffe. I spent around six years under great stress and aggravation there. However, I learned how to deal with all kinds of people. If not for Briar, I don't think I would have felt so much at home at the counseling center.