Warning: This article will discuss topics of suicide. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Recovering in Portland is a magical experience. Surrounded by the unending brilliant nature of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon is full of amazing opportunities at adventure, experience, culture, and more. Portland as a city offers a unique blend of subcultures and people, activities, recovery communities, and more, while promoting a general lifestyle of health and wellness. There is, however, one unfortunate caveat which is a well-known fact about living in a state like Oregon. Sunshine can be lacking, rainy, cloudy days can be plentiful, and suicide rates are high.
The Oregonian reports that “two people on average lose their lives to suicide each day, making self-harm one of the leading causes of death.” It is of special pertinence for men to note that “80 percent of Oregonians who die by suicide are male,” the website cites. At once, Oregon is a remarkable place to recover and a challenging place to recover. It isn’t necessarily the weather or the lack of sunshine which contributes to the large percentage of men who choose to take their lives. Suicide is complex and the reasons behind men’s decision to commit suicide are often complex as well. Men in treatment for addiction understand that addiction is complex as well, as are each man’s individual reasons for coming into an addicted lifestyle. Recovery, on the other hand, is simple. Don’t pick up a drink or a drug again no matter what. Don’t act in self-harming, self-sabotaging ways. Help others, whenever possible.
Every year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sponsors National Suicide Prevention Week. This year, the theme for the week’s celebration taking place September 9th- September 15th is “The Power Of Connection”. Men who choose to recover at Tree House Recovery in Portland are submerged into a deep and powerful brotherhood of fellow recovering men and alumni from the program, as well as local recovery communities. By building strength in self, sobriety, and solidarity with others, men live their lives feeling supported in a way which drastically reduces the risk of relapse or other self-harming behaviors.
Your life is worth living. Your addiction is worth transforming. Your recovery is worth your time and effort. If you’re ready to do the work to create sustainable changes for sustainable sobriety, Tree House Recovery in Portland, Oregon is here to show you the way. For information on our programs, call us today: (503) 850-2474
