Before joining Mulka Nisc photovoice research project, I had never previously considered gender differences, probably because I’m a tomboy at heart, and I have always struggled with the concept of feminism. However, all that changed for me during the first online meeting, which took place over a Teams meeting one evening in December 2023 The meeting […]
Category: My own addiction
Cycle of Change
In pre-contemplation’s shadowed haze, My mind was veiled, lost in a narcotic maze. I didn’t know my own mind I was oblivious and blind Some people remarked I had changed But I scoffed and thought them deranged I had no intention of changing my behaviour Because my drugs were my saviour But the shit that […]
Stop listening to yourself and try having a word with yourself instead.
There is an old saying that says, ‘Talking to yourself is a sign of madness,’ but I would disagree because I would still have been in the madness had I not given myself a good talking to long ago. Then I came across a quote I had never heard while podcasting with a guy from […]
Fxxk the Recovery Police and do what works for YOU
I’ve been secretly wanting to write this blog for years to challenge some of the views and opinions of a small minority of whom I refer to as the “Recovery Police” present in the recovery community. The Recovery message is supposed to carry hope, yet a silent battle exists within some corners of the recovery […]
From Gleadless Valley to United Nations
As a child written off by the school system, I could never have foreseen that my path would lead me from drug-induced psychosis to centre stage at the United Nations. Throughout my career, I’ve delivered countless presentations locally and nationally. But being at the UN was a whole new level. To have a voice in […]
Recovery isn’t a destination; it’s a journey.
Recovery isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. For years, people told me to fake it until I made it. Only it was getting harder to hide my fears and doubts and pretend I’d got life all figured out. Always afraid I’d soon be found out. At times, I was an emotional wreck and felt out […]
Post Traumatic Growth
You’ve been through a lot; most wouldn’t understand. You’ve experienced the pain and endured shame. You’ve had to learn to wipe away your own tears and work hard to overcome your fears Most of it alone…. Some days have been tough and yet you refused to submit and didn’t quit. Instead you’ve continued to learn […]
Unlocking the Magic of Writing:A Personal Journey of Reflection
It was whilst caring for my father in his battle with alcoholism that I first found solace in journaling. My writing fell silent when he passed, but the urge to share my experience of being an affected family member never waned. I’d dabbled with the idea of writing a book and had at various times […]
Learning to Drive – The Road to Recovery
Someone recently asked me, ‘Tracey, what have been the main lessons you have learned in your recovery?’ It was a tricky question because there has been so much more to my journey than just putting down the drugs. So I came up with this learning-to-drive metaphor to explain in the hope you can relate. Like […]
Navigating friendships in recovery and learning to let go
I have a saying: ‘Getting the balancing act right is a balancing act in itself’, and the same could be said for friendships or, should I say, people to whom we attach or align ourselves. Over the years, I have witnessed how friendships and relationships can negatively impact someone’s recovery journey, especially in early recovery, […]
