Honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day: Addiction Affects All, But Recovery Is Unique to Every Individual

Addiction is an indiscriminate force. It doesn’t care about your background, your culture, or your personal struggles—it affects people from all walks of life. But in recovery, it's crucial to acknowledge and respect a person's disposition, culture, and beliefs. Recognizing these elements helps create an environment where healing is not only possible but deeply personal and meaningful.

Today, as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, it's especially important to highlight the significance of culturally specific recovery practices within Indigenous communities. We were honored to speak with Jerrod Murray, the founder and Executive Director of Painted Horse Recovery, who helps those from Native American backgrounds in their recovery journeys. Painted Horse Recovery provides a space where individuals can embrace their heritage while healing from addiction. You can listen to Jerrod’s inspiring story and read the blog post on our podcast episode here.

​Another incredible guest we've had the pleasure of interviewing is Melissa Hereford from 4D Recovery in Hillsboro. As a Native American herself, Melissa found that culturally informed recovery practices were essential to her healing process. She works to support others, helping them find the resources and strength they need, particularly those from Indigenous backgrounds. Her story is a powerful reminder of how deeply connected recovery and culture can be. You can listen to Melissa’s episode and read the blog post here.

In addition to these amazing individuals, we’d also like to shine a light on Wellbriety meetings, which are specifically geared towards Indigenous culture. Wellbriety emphasizes sobriety and wellness while honoring Native American traditions and spiritual teachings. These meetings provide a safe, supportive space for individuals to reconnect with their heritage while embracing their recovery journey. You can find links to Wellbriety meetings and more information on our Resources Page.

​On this Indigenous Peoples' Day, we honor the stories and contributions of individuals like Jerrod and Melissa who are making a real difference in their communities. At the Real Recovery Podcast, we stand with them in recognizing that recovery is most effective when it’s inclusive and respectful of a person’s cultural identity.

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