Vanessa Lane/Courtesy
Breaking Free from Addiction: The Power of Community Support
Addiction can quietly spread through communities, fueled by peer pressure and a loss of hope. However, many individuals emerge from it stronger and more determined to help others who are struggling. This is where support groups like HardBeauty come in, covering Colorado’s Eastern Slope and now expanding to the Western Slope. Under the direction of Vanessa Lane, Director of the Western Slope Region and Rise and Restore program, HardBeauty is serving communities from Garfield County to Mesa County.
A Personal Touch: Reaching Out to Those in Need
Vanessa Lane’s commitment to helping others is evident in her work. She hands out backpacks full of supplies to unhoused people in the Roaring Fork Valley, showcasing her dedication to providing support to those who need it most. By working with a larger group and having more resources, Lane is able to make a more significant impact in her community. HardBeauty began almost seven years ago, initially as a virtual support group due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Founded by Racquel Garcia on the Eastern Slope, it has now expanded to the Western Slope, with Lane at the helm.
Reaching Those in Need: Medical Facilities, Homeless Shelters, and Prisons
HardBeauty’s support extends to medical facilities, homeless shelters, and prisons. Locally, they have worked with the Garfield County Jail, Eagle County Jail, Rifle Correctional Facility, and Delta Correctional Facility. Their approach involves recovery coaching, which helps individuals struggling with addiction to get back on their feet. If individuals want to continue their recovery outside of the facility, HardBeauty provides them with the necessary support.
Welcome Home Days: A Helping Hand for Those in Need
HardBeauty also holds Welcome Home Days for people who have been incarcerated and need help readjusting to life outside. These events take place every second and fourth Friday of the month and provide essential services like help with driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and hygiene. Recovery coaches play a vital role in this process, and Lane emphasizes their importance. “Recovery coaches change everything,” she says. “But you also have to change everything – you have to be willing to go to group therapy, find support, and do the work.”
The Challenges of Rural Communities
In rural communities like the Roaring Fork Valley, accessing support services can be challenging. HardBeauty faces funding issues, making it essential to raise awareness about their work. Despite being well-known on the Eastern Slope, they are still building their reputation on the Western Slope. Lane stresses the need for community partners to help them provide recovery programs and services. Some of their programs include the 12 Weeks of Unbroken Women, Gladiators with Racquel, Rise and Restore Rifle with Lane, and Parenting in Recovery.
Supporting Children and Families
HardBeauty also recognizes the importance of supporting children when a parent is in recovery. They provide youth services to help children who may be struggling with their parent’s addiction. Lane emphasizes that recovery is not just about abstinence from substances but about transforming from the inside out. It’s about addressing the underlying issues that led to addiction in the first place.
Counseling and Therapy: A Crucial Part of the Recovery Process
HardBeauty offers counseling and therapy through Paragon Behavioral Health Services. They employ 30 recovery coaches, including Matthew Curry and Susann Plenus, who specialize in various areas such as mental health struggles, life coaching, and incarceration. Lane says, “The coaches that we have at HardBeauty, they specialize in mamas, have experience with incarceration, mental health struggles, life coaching – whatever it is, see the need, fill the need.”
The Recovery Cards Project: Spreading Hope and Encouragement
HardBeauty has teamed up with Lift the Label to provide the Recovery Cards Project. This initiative began at the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility, where every inmate received a card with encouraging words signed by community members. According to Attorney General Phil Weiser, addiction affects around two-thirds of inmates. It’s a widespread issue that affects people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, including those with substance use disorder and alcoholic use disorder.
Risk Factors and the Importance of Community Support
Addiction can be influenced by various risk factors, including genetics, adolescence, mental health disorders, and environmental conditions. It’s essential to address these underlying issues and provide support to those who need it. Lane emphasizes the importance of community support, saying, “We want to help. We can’t do it alone, and we don’t want to.” By working together, we can make a difference in the lives of those struggling with addiction.
A Call to Action: Getting Involved and Making a Difference
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is help available. Visit HardBeauty’s website to learn more about their recovery programs and services. Remember, recovery is possible, and it’s often the support of a community that makes all the difference. By getting involved and making a difference, we can help break the cycle of addiction and create a brighter future for those who need it most.
