Today I am talking to Julia Warren. Julia is a mother to her two boys, a trauma informed yoga teacher and a writer. She is also in recovery from drug addiction and recently stepped into the role of widow as in September 2021 her husband Doug overdosed when he relapsed from his own addiction recovery.
In this episode we talk about Julia’s recovery from drug addiction. She talks about how she went from the loneliness and isolation of addiction to recovery with the help of fellowship from other women in recovery. We talk about Doug’s relapse and what that was like for her not only as a wife but also as a recovering addict herself.
We discuss how fear can stop us from connecting to those who can understand but how stepping through that fear can be life saving. We talk about how someone’s presence is what is needed when we are processing grief, not having the right words or right message in a card.
Julia’s story is heartbreaking, but it’s not uncommon. Through her bravery of sharing her story we hope that it helps other people to walk through their fear, open up and share, what is really going on. You may be feeling quite a lot after this conversation. That’s natural and know that it is possible for things to get better. I wanted to have this conversation to lift the lid on some of these issues.
Addiction is full of fear, shame and isolation. If you are dealing with addiction, know that it isn’t your fault, but it is your responsibility. If someone you love is dealing with addiction, fully getting to grips with how powerless you are over that is very hard, but it will help you to gain clarity and set boundaries so that you can manage your own life, which is vitally important.
Resources for the UK:
https://www.ataloss.org/faqs/bereaved-by-an-addiction
https://www.changegrowlive.org/
https://alcoholchange.org.uk/
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
For Punjabi communities: https://www.nomorepretending.co.uk/about
gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement
gov.uk/government/publications/ guide-to-coroner-services-and-coroner-investigationsa-short-guide
cruse.org.uk/drugs-and-alcohol
https://www.drugfam.co.uk/
samaritans.org/sites/default/files/kcfinder/files/press/
Samaritans%20Media%20Guidelines%202013%20UK.pdf
For families of addicts:
https://nacoa.org.uk/
https://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/
Specifically for children:
childline.org.uk
hopeagain.org.uk
You can find out more abut Julia on Instagram: www.instagram.com/juliainvisions or at her website www.juliawarrenyoga.com
As I mention at the end of the podcast, I have a new book out called 'Stop the world I want to get off'. More details here
The Therapeutic Poet in conversation with Julia Warren about bereavement through overdose. Part 1.