Peer Support and the RCOS of New Hampshire – Part 3

Archways' Threads

Conversations with Cheryle Pacapelli - Part 3

Link to Part 1 of the conversation - https://share.transistor.fm/s/df5940a4

Link to Part 2 of the conversation - https://share.transistor.fm/s/eba97cd7

Welcome to the latest episode of Archways Threads! Today, we conclude our powerful 3-part conversation with Cheryle Pacapelli, Project Director for New Hampshire’s recovery centers. In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of abstinence-based recovery, harm reduction, and the continuous journey of healing from addiction.

00:00 - Introduction and Recap

00:55 – Abstinence and Harm Reduction

02:52 – Navigating Addiction in the Family

04:18 – The Brain's Resilience in Recovery

08:01 – The Need for Long-Term Recovery Support

13:33 – Coping with Loss in the Recovery Community

Michelle and Cheryle discuss the balance between abstinence-only recovery and harm reduction models. Cheryle shares her concerns, based on personal experience, about the potential challenges of transitioning between these approaches.

Michelle also shares her husband’s experience with opiates and how his recovery journey has influenced difficult decisions about pain management, reflecting the impact addiction has on families.

Cheryle then reflects on the brain’s remarkable ability to heal and the ongoing cravings she faced after using opiates for a short time despite 21 years of sobriety. This highlights the vulnerability in long-term recovery. Michelle and Cheryle emphasize the importance of sustained recovery support beyond the initial crisis phase, discussing how critical it is for individuals to stay engaged with resources even after stabilization.

Both Michelle and Cheryle reflect on the emotional toll of losing friends in recovery and share their personal strategies for coping while continuing to advocate for those still battling addiction.

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