Recs and Recovery: Incorporating sober living in fun and supportive environment

Recovery rarely has a straight line. For some, it can be a lifelong process with many turns and false starts. It’s a lot of work to rewire the brain’s coping strategies and work through a disease. Lifestyle changes are a given with recovery, but a change that may not be apparent in the early stages is the extra time that comes with a sober lifestyle. 

What does someone do to fill their time once a substance is gone? How can they ensure that how and where they fill their time won’t be temptation ridden?

Darion Stephens, director of recovery services at Clarity Healthcare, is trying to fill the weekend time gap. Stephens is the founder and organizer of Recs and Recovery, a recreational group which meets on Saturdays in Quincy parks. The group provides space to have fun in a secure and sober environment and has been active for more than a year.

“When people are new to their recovery, it can be difficult to find a place that they’ll know will be sober and temptation free,” Stephens said. “Recs and Recovery is not treatment, but it complements it. It is a schedule filler that is also fun and beneficial for people in recovery.”

Stephens cited recent research through the National Institiute of Health that found incorporating regular recreational activity into one’s recovery journey can decrease cravings and increase abstinence while improving both physical and mental health. Physical exercise naturally releases endorphins in the human brain, which can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression commonly associated with substance withdrawal.

Clarity Healthcare is a federally qualified health center that offers substance use disorder treatments for both inpatient and outpatient clients. Recs and Recovery was born to support the clients’ momentum during weekly treatment. 

Stephens recognized the challenging nature of loose time and the temptation within it. It is not unusual for those starting in recovery to feel bored or isolated by the new structure in their lives. With a surplus of unstructured time, weekends can create an opportunity for temptation.

“Clarity looks at a client’s lifelong journey in recovery,” Stephens said. “We want people to be successful forlife. We look at achieving that in several ways including introducing safe and sober activities into their routines.”

The group usually takes part in active sports like kickball or softball. During summer months, activities turn water-focused and include a “Slip ‘n’ Slide” and water balloon fights. Team members from Clarity Healthcare will often bring in food to grill or other carry-ins for the group.

“You don’t need to be into sports or recreational activities,” Stephens said. “Anyone is welcome to attend to watch or engage in another activity that suits them. If you’re sober or support sobriety and want to be in a sober and supportive environment, you’re welcome to come.”

Stephens tries to erase potential barriers, such as transportation access through the help of the Quincy community. She works with sponsors, other attendees and staff members to plan carpooling and other rideshare options.

“We want as many people who want to participate in this sober activity as possible,” Stephens said. “Though the camaraderie of our teams and attendees, we haven’t had a day when that hasn’t happened.”

A surprising and inspiring regular occurrence at Recs and Recovery is family reunification. Because of the sober, secure and family oriented environment, families feel confident bringing children to see loved ones going through recovery. 

“I’ve had six families tell me that the only reason they brought their kids to this event to see their loved one is because they knew it would be a sober and supportive environment,” Stephens said. “These are families who have not been together in the same space for six or seven months or even longer.”

Anyone interested in the Recs and Recovery group can find information on Recs and Recovery’s Facebook page or on the Clarity Healthcare Facebook page. Activities are planned about a week prior and posted on the Facebook page. If you have questions or need help getting to the event, contact Stephens at 401-217-3089.