How people in recovery from substance abuse navigate through tragic events

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — There's been a series of heavy events over the last two years, through the pandemic, and more recently the nation has watched tragedies unfold over the last two weeks.

For people in recovery from substance use these types of tragic events, even those that don't directly impact them, can be tough to cope with.

“I'm in recovery, I'll be in recovery the rest of my life,” said Ray Dumas who has been sober for 15 years.

Dumas is not afraid to admit staying sober requires help adding, “treatment and therapists helped me realize I am worth it and I can do it."

Dumas said having a strong support system around is vital in getting through tough moments.

“If I'm having that bad thought or situation coming, I know there's things that I can reach out to,” Dumas said.

One of the things that creates a lot of difficulty is a loss of hope, according to Jared Ferguson, the director of mental health at First Step House, a behavioral health treatment and housing provider for people in recovery.

Ferguson said a national tragedy, like what happened this week in at an elementary school in Texas, can push people over the edge.

“It's not about will, it's truly about what can relieve the pressure the fastest and that can be maladaptive behavior of all kinds, it can be substance use, it can be self-harm, it can be risk taking behaviors,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said stress is one of the most common factors in relapse and it doesn't have to be intensely personal adding “when people lose hope, this thought of 'why try' creeps in and sometimes it can lead them back to old coping mechanisms.”

And it's okay to not feel okay, Ferguson said adding “not being okay is not the same thing as being dire, not the same thing as being desperate but it is an acknowledgement of a need for improvement.”

If you need help or know someone who might need help you can contact First Step House at https://firststephouse.org/contact-us/ or call 211.

The suicide hotline 800-273-8255 is available 24/7.