30 Days to Change the Addiction Narrative

It takes 30 days to at Atlanta Mission to break through the darkness and make space for change.

You’ve heard the phrase “hitting rock-bottom.” It’s used to describe the lowest point in a person’s life. Even more so, for someone trapped in addiction, hitting rock-bottom is a terrifying wake-up call moment when it feels like life cannot get any worse.

It’s a moment in time when a man or woman realizes their dependence on drugs or alcohol is killing them from the inside out. It can feel dark, overwhelming, and downright hopeless.

Yet for individuals heavy in addiction, admitting that help is needed is actually the starting place of hope. Recognizing that there’s a problem opens someone up to the possibility of change.

That’s why making a choice to enter into recovery at Atlanta Mission—and the subsequent 30 days—can feel like the darkest before the clutter clears…and light breaks forth.

During the first four weeks, men and women are not only recovering from the devastating side effects of addiction. But for the first time in a long time, they are feeling the full range of pain and trauma that drugs or alcohol have helped numb. As you can imagine, it’s anxiety provoking and scary.

No doubt, the first month of recovery is the most difficult. The battle for lives is fully raging while the physical, emotional, and mental fallout of addiction is at its height.

Despite the challenges, stepping into recovery is the most courageous choice toward change an individual can make. It’s the beginning of a brand-new life of peace, hope, and, ultimately, freedom. This is the journey of transformation you’re supporting.

The Journey of Transformation from Addiction

PHASE 1: Physical (Changing Circumstances)

Establishing Stability

Nutritious meals, a warm bed to sleep in, access to showers, clean clothes, and medical care give clients peace of mind knowing that their immediate needs will be met while they focus on their recovery. Feeling safe and cared for is the start of stability.

Laying a Firm Foundation

“A client’s first 30 days in recovery are crucial to the success of their entire program. In that 30-day period, clients are creating new structures in their lives. They’re learning the basics of the 12 steps and body chemistry in classes, meeting with their services team and doing clinical assessments, creating healthy habits for themselves like quiet time and making their bed.

We intentionally work to create a bubble of protection to limit the distractions, so clients have very limited access to phones and internet. This allows our clients to fully immerse themselves in recovery and spiritual growth without the typical concerns of daily life. We seek to lay a firm foundation in a client’s first 30 days to build upon later in their program.” — MADISON IVEY, Make Progress Leader at The Potter’s House, addiction recovery campus for men outside Atlanta

PHASE 2: Emotional (Changing Feelings)

Finding Full Freedom

Wraparound care with a spiritual foundation helps individuals break the chains of addiction to find freedom. As they step into new life, men and women are empowered to become the person that God has created them to be.

Transformation Through Christ

“We believe that true life transformation comes through Christ. We want to give every client the opportunity to know Christ, walk with Christ, and live for Christ. We offer daily devotions at each campus, as well as Bible studies, Chapel, spiritual formation classes, and small groups.

We partner with churches who bring worship services to us, as well as provide transportation to their actual facilities to facilitate church attendance. In addition to these services, our staff and volunteers share the light of Christ day-in and day-out in the way they love, encourage, and build up our clients.” — KIMBERLY LIVSEY, Chief Program Officer

PHASE 3: Mental (Changing Thoughts)

New Life Means New Thinking

Sustaining sobriety post-recovery requires developing new thought patterns and coping skills. Addressing past pain may feel difficult, but caring counselors, advocates, social workers, and support groups create an environment for self-reflection and deeper awareness. In the safe space of Atlanta Mission, healing happens alongside the development of new skills to successfully manage life’s stressors for the long-term.

Hope works!

Atlanta Mission’s Hope Scale shows how…

A little over six months ago, Atlanta Mission launched its very own proprietary Hope Scale. This scale measures the hope of clients from intake to progression to exit. At Atlanta Mission, the goal is that during their time in the program, individuals grow in their optimistic outlook regarding the future, as well as their agency to take control of it.

The definition of hope at Atlanta Mission is, “I believe tomorrow can be better than today, and it’s possible for me.” At various points in the program, a survey is sent via text and email to assess clients level of agreement with this and other hopeful statements.

As their needs are met in an atmosphere of love and care, the expectation is that hope will rise for men and women in recovery. Measuring hope is an innovative way to track transformation, celebrate progress, and gauge a client’s well-being and resilience. Your support of Atlanta Mission is investing in burgeoning hope and a better tomorrow for neighbors on their road to recovery.

To take the Hope Survey yourself, click the button below.