Overcoming addiction benefits hugely from belonging, as an active member, to a group – a group of fellow addicts who share similar challenges.  Belonging is being part of something bigger than trying to be brave and resolute on one’s own.

I’ve had the privilege of joining a support group to help deal with alcohol addiction and dependency.  Whilst it is early days, the honest outpouring of the members’ heartfelt stories have changed my attitude towards alcohol.  Don’t get me wrong – I like fine wine.  My relationship with wine is changing though.  I’d prefer to drink wine for the pleasure and not for it to be my comfort medication – two glasses rather than two bottles.  To repeat the thought: their stories have changed my perception.

The comparison with Moodscope as a community is entirely favourable.  Because of our daily blog and the exchange of comments, we do not have to face depression alone.  We don’t have to be brave and resolute on our own.  We are part of something bigger.

More than this, your stories change our attitudes towards depression and even our expectations of what is possible.  This is peer power at its finest.

Thus, today’s blog is a ‘thank you’ for your stories, your honesty, and your ‘being there’ for one another.  And, it’s a ‘thank you’ to Caroline, Adrian, and Jon for making ‘belonging’ possible and a daily reality.

We seem to be having far more stories recently, and I wanted to encourage all our storytellers that stories have power to transform lives and bring hope.

Two thoughts to close.  Firstly, would you share your positive experiences of other groups that help you thrive?  Secondly, would you share any ideas of how we could support one another even more effectively?

Thank you.

Lex

A Moodscope member