Ep. 3 Rising from the Ashes of Addiction with Rita Tattersall

Trigger Warning: In this episode, we will briefly touch on suicide and/or suicidal thoughts during this discussion. If this may trigger extreme emotional distress for you, you should skip today’s episode. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately, which is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255. Mental health and addiction are big problems that until recently had not been getting enough attention. People going through them were stigmatized and that shame made it difficult for them to seek the help they really needed. At the moment, there is less stigma and many support groups are now available to those who need help. However, there is still a lot remaining to be done to increase the effectiveness and accessibility of the treatment programs.Today, I’m glad to be joined by Rita Tattersall, a licensed addiction and mental health counselor. Rita’s journey is unique: she struggled with substance use disorder and now uses her experience to help others who are facing the same problems she faced.We’ll be diving into the issues of substance use disorder and the impact that it has on both the addict and those close to them. This is a very informative conversation where you’ll get to understand an addict's perspective as well as a counselor's perspective. Tune in to this third episode of The Beauty in the Mess to hear about how a painful past is now helping and comforting others.Some Questions Asked:What do you think was the source of the suicidal thoughts? (17:09)Were you fully aware of the consequences of your substance use disorder? (21:04)How did you, in your mind, justify putting your employer at risk? (28:10)What allows you to become sustainable in your recovery, and how do you even start? (29:34)What do you feel is the most significant gift that's come out of your addiction? (46:45)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The importance of person-centered language (03:05)Rita’s first experience with a therapist (10:21)Why loved ones make excuses for people with substance use disorder (21:46)How Rita approached the 12 Steps Program the second time (34:08)What led Rita to become a counselor (39:24)Connect with Rita:FacebookLinkedInInstagramUseful Resources:Signal for Help MinistriesThe Oasis Counseling CenterChuck McCoskey’s Recovery MinistryLet's Connect!Facebook: The Beauty in the Mess podcast InstagramWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.