What resiliency boxes teach us about healing from addiction and finding hope

By Angela Amos | FāVS News Columnist

Addiction is a morally-neutral and difficult situation. Those who suffer from it often want to cease substance use, but cravings and withdrawal are painful enough to prevent consistent engagement with cessation. Without firsthand or secondhand experience of going through withdrawal or cravings, it is not possible to understand the gravity of the physical and psychological experiences endured. The physical experience of withdrawal is agonizing.   

The way substance cravings affect the body is not widely known. Mind-altering substances change the neuroplasticity and function of the brain. As such, people experiencing addiction have profound changes in their brains, principally to the reward center. Addiction decreases dopamine receptors, and this wreaks havoc on a person’s internal motivation and the ability to experience pleasure. Dopamine provides a sense of reward, which is often experienced as enjoyment or happiness. 

When this has been taken over by mind-altering substances, a person experiences fewer and fewer incidents of enjoyment or happiness that are not connected to substance use. Moreover, the brain and body crave the substance for emotional and physical regulation, and these cravings are stored in the oldest part of the brain: a person’s survival instincts. 

Put another way, the feelings of panic and danger a person underwater for too long has when needing to breathe is analogous to how the cravings are experienced by the person suffering from addiction.  

It is nearly impossible to weather these experiences alone and, when there is a lack of community, enduring becomes more and more difficult. This sense of isolation and struggle leads to shame, which leads to more substance use, and the cycle sustains itself.  

Given this information, the Women’s Hearth seeks to ensure that participants still feel in community and supported, even when the Hearth is closed on evenings and weekends. This is where Resiliency Boxes come in. The boxes give those who receive them the ability to focus on what can be done, rather than the constant rumination of what cannot be done, or what is to be avoided. 

Addiction and Resiliency Boxes

Each box includes the following items and an explanation of their purpose: 

Bubbles:   

Breathwork downregulates the nervous system, which circumvents the body’s stress response, relaxing the mind and body. It also facilitates mindfulness and increased awareness of the body and emotional climate. Breathwork provides proprioceptive input, the sense that tells the body where it is in space, increasing corporeal awareness. 

Knitting and crochet tutorials, patterns, yarn and knitting needles and crochet hook: 

Yarn art offers significant mental health benefits by reducing stress, improving focus and boosting mood. The repetitive motions of crocheting and knitting can be meditative, promoting relaxation and a sense of calm. It is a way to reduce stress hormones like cortisol. This calming effect reduces mental “chatter” and improves mental clarity. These also distract the brain from negative thoughts. Crocheting and knitting can provide a sense of accomplishment, boost self-esteem and even serve as a tool for processing difficult emotions and anxiety.  

Fidget toys:  

Also called manipulatives, these can help improve mental health by providing a physical outlet for anxiety, restless energy and stress. They can also enhance focus and concentration. The repetitive movements involved with using fidget toys can be soothing and calming, offering a way to self-regulate and manage emotions.    

Coloring book and color pencils: 

Coloring can positively impact mental health by promoting relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety and providing a mindful activity. It can also improve focus, creativity and motor skills. Coloring encourages a meditative state by focusing attention on the task at hand, allowing the mind to rest and reducing negative thoughts.  

Empowering quotes: 

Empowering quotes can significantly benefit mental health by boosting confidence, reducing stress and promoting a positive outlook. They can also foster a sense of community and encourage self-reflection, leading to greater self-awareness and personal growth. By shifting perspectives and offering reassurance, these quotes can help individuals navigate difficult emotions and challenges. 

Journal and pen: 

Journaling offers numerous mental health benefits by promoting self-reflection, stress reduction and emotional processing. It helps individuals gain clarity, manage anxiety and depression and identify patterns in their thoughts and behaviors. Regular journaling can also aid in processing traumatic experiences, facilitate grief and even contribute to physical well-being.  

I share all of this in the hopes it can be of use to more people and organizations. Resiliency Boxes have been well received and thoroughly enjoyed by those at the Hearth who have used them. The title is from a quote from one participant, first thing, on a Monday morning. 

Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all, and the hope is that the useful options will appeal and support those who need them. Having the ability and support to make choices of self-determination is a huge part of recovery. None of us walk alone. 

The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. FāVS News values diverse perspectives and thoughtful analysis on matters of faith and spirituality.

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