Healing from Addiction: Insights on Recovery, Resilience, and Family Support

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Healing from Addiction: Insights on Recovery, Resilience, and Family Support

Healing from Addiction: Insights on Recovery, Resilience, and Family Support

Imagine transforming deep personal challenges into a powerful force for good. For two decades, Sharlin Rahiman has walked alongside others, first in human services, then finding her true calling in addiction recovery coaching. Drawing on her own experience as an adult child survivor of addiction and family violence, she meets individuals exactly where they are, without judgment. This isn’t just about stopping substance use; it’s about navigating the complex reality of addiction as a disease, building resilience through practical strategies, finding healing through holistic well-being, and understanding the vital, often overlooked, role of family support. Get ready to explore a compassionate path forward.

My Journey and Inspirations

My journey began about 20 years ago when I started to work in the human service field. I always felt that there were other ways to support individuals who were outside the box of regular care and support that individuals receive. About 10 years ago, I started working in the addiction recovery field. Some years down the road, I took the recovery coaching training with Still Here.

That is when I instantly fell in love with coaching, and I knew that it was my calling. To be able to walk alongside someone and meet them exactly where they are on their journey without judgment has been something I have always had a passion for. Recovery Coaching is very personal to me, as I am an adult child survivor of addiction and family violence.

Understanding Addiction Recovery

“Addiction is a choice.”
Truth: Addiction is a complex brain disease. While the initial use may be voluntary, addiction rewires the brain’s reward system, making it extremely difficult to stop without help.

“People with addiction just need more willpower.”
Truth: Willpower alone is not enough. Addiction involves physical, psychological, and emotional dependence that requires comprehensive support, treatment, and healing.

“Only certain types of people become addicted.”
Truth: Addiction does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, education, or income level.

“If someone relapses, treatment has failed.”
Truth: Relapse is a common part of recovery. Like with other chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), setbacks can happen, but recovery is still possible.

“Addiction only affects the person using substances.”
Truth: Addiction impacts families, children, workplaces, and communities — emotionally, financially, and socially.

“Treatment is a one-time solution.”
Truth: Recovery is an ongoing process. Treatment and support may be needed long-term, and healing takes time and consistency.

“Medications for addiction are just substituting one drug for another.”
Truth: Medications like methadone or buprenorphine help stabilize the brain and reduce cravings, improving the chances of successful recovery.

“People with addiction don’t want help.”
Truth: Many people struggling with addiction desperately want help but feel trapped by stigma, shame, or fear of judgment.

“Addiction is a moral failing.”
Truth: Addiction is not about morality — it’s about biology, environment, trauma, and coping mechanisms. Compassion is key.

“Addiction only refers to drugs and alcohol.”
Truth: Addiction can involve behaviours too, like gambling, gaming, or food — anything that triggers compulsive behaviours despite harmful consequences.

The Role of Family in Recovery

The importance of family support is that addiction not only affects the person in addiction, but it also affects the entire family dynamic. In such cases, families should learn how to care for themselves and build healthy boundaries, avoid blame and shame, offer support and enablement, and communicate compassionately. Too often, families can get lost in a codependent relationship with their loved one in addiction, which can become toxic for both sides. Unfortunately, there is not much support for family members affected by a loved one’s addiction. That is why it is my mission to bring awareness to family support.

Balancing Parenting and Recovery: Build a healthy community of support. Ask for help when needed. Continue to work on recovery. Learn about healthy attachment to the child. Take classes on parenting.

Spiritual Coaching and Holistic Well-being

I truly believe that for healing, we should work on our emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical selves. We cannot heal and live a fulfilled life if we don’t work on our whole being. Spiritual healing can help us to learn coping skills, regulate ourselves, stay grounded, and have the strength to continue the journey by giving our pain and worries to our higher power.

Building Resilience. It is a key theme in your work.

Practical strategies to build resilience in their daily lives

Cultivate Self-Awareness. Recognize your emotional triggers and responses.
Tool: Daily reflection journaling.
Ask: “What did I feel today? What challenged me? What did I learn?”

Practice Self-Compassion. Speak to yourself as you would to a dear friend.
Tool: Positive affirmations and self-kindness exercises.

Develop Healthy Coping Skills. Replace harmful coping (like substance use or avoidance) with healthy outlets.
Tools: Breathwork, mindfulness meditation, physical activity, creative expression.

Build a Strong Support Network. Surround yourself with people who uplift and understand you.
Tool: Attend support groups, coaching sessions, or family circles.

Maintain Perspective. Understand that setbacks are part of growth, not the end of the road.
Tool: Reframing technique — ask: “What is this teaching me?”

Foster Flexibility and Adaptability. Life is unpredictable. The ability to adapt builds resilience.
Tool: Practice “Plan B thinking.” Visualize alternatives to your initial plan.

Strengthening Problem-Solving Skills. Approach challenges with curiosity, not fear.
Tool: Break big problems into smaller, actionable steps.

Prioritize Self-Care. Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s survival.
Tool: Schedule regular time for rest, nutrition, hydration, and joyful activities.

Set Boundaries. Protect your energy by setting clear limits.
Tool: Role-play boundary-setting in coaching sessions.

Find Meaning and Purpose. Connecting to something bigger than yourself builds resilience.
Tool: Values mapping exercise — list your core values and align daily actions with them.

Navigating Stress and Anxiety: Stress and anxiety are common issues that many of our readers face.

Techniques or practices for managing stress and anxiety effectively

Grounding Techniques. Bring yourself into the present moment to reduce overwhelm.
Try: 5-4-3-2-1 Technique: Name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste.

Hold an object. Feel its texture, temperature, and weight to anchor your senses.

Mindful Breathing. Breath is a powerful, natural regulator of the nervous system. Try:

Box Breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4.

Extended Exhale: Inhale for 4, exhale for 6-8 counts to signal safety to your body.

Gentle Movement. Movement helps release stress hormones.
Try: Stretching or yoga.

Walking outdoors — nature reduces cortisol!

Even 2 minutes of shoulder rolls or light stretching at your desk.

Create a “Calm Kit.” Have calming items handy. Herbal tea, comforting scents (like lavender), a stress ball, or a calming playlist.

Limit Overwhelm. Break tasks into manageable steps. Prioritize.
Try: The “Rule of 3”: Focus on just 3 priorities each day.

Positive Self-Talk. Reframe anxious thoughts with compassion.
Try: Replace “What if I fail?” with “What if I succeed?”

Sleep Hygiene. Prioritize rest — anxiety worsens with sleep deprivation.
Tips: Avoid screens before bed. Keep a regular bedtime routine.

Connection. Share your feelings with trusted friends, family, or a coach.
Talking things through reduces isolation and restores perspective.

Guided Relaxation or Meditation. Use apps like Calm or Insight Timer. Even 5 minutes daily can reduce anxiety.

Professional Support. Don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support — it’s a sign of strength. Coaching, therapy, and support groups provide tools and compassionate guidance.

Advice for Aspiring Coaches

It’s about having compassion and understanding. Showing up for the person without biases or judgments. Having empathy and self-awareness. Know your limits. Check in with yourself. Continuous growth and learning.

Balancing Professional and Personal Life

I am always checking in with myself to see how I am feeling. I strive to have a balance-emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically. Meditation, grounding techniques, self-care, getting plenty of rest, journaling, and making sure I am not taking on too much

Future Goals and Aspirations

I am holding my first event, which will be a continuation of teaching how to support children who have been affected by addiction and family violence. My goal is to be aware. I am also planning on educating on mental health.

Parting Insight…

Seek support. Keep going! Healing is possible, and you matter!

Keywords: Addiction Recovery; Resilience Building; Family Support in Addiction; Recovery Coaching; Stress and Anxiety Management

Sharlin Rahiman

Sharlin Rahiman, CCRC, RCP, RCPF is a Certified Recovery and Family Coach with more than 18 years of experience working in the human services field, including extensive work with individuals in addiction and recovery. Drawing from her own lived experience growing up with addiction and family violence, Sharlin brings a trauma-informed and deeply compassionate approach to supporting families, parents, and loved ones affected by addiction. Through her practice, Sharlin Rahiman Coaching, she empowers clients to move from surviving to thriving—helping them create safe, meaningful lives grounded in healing, connection, and purpose.