I’ve written since I was a little girl. Poetry, stories, lists, letters, research and reports…the words have always poured out of me, ink to page. I’ve written when I was sad, when I was bored, when I was excited, when I was reflective, when I was lonely. Writing was therapy to me.
As I grew older, I was able to contribute to blogs, newsletters, articles, and more. My writing got noticed and was appreciated. I was thrilled to eventually begin to get paid for my work, which was huge for me–money for doing something so very natural and that I loved.
What really wasn’t known is that writing was my expression–an outlet for grief and pain. In suffering years of childhood sexual abuse, I was desolate. The words on the page were all that no one could take from me.
Sadly, through those lonely days of darkness, the bottle was also my refuge. As a young teen, I remember washing out a bottle of hairspray to fill with booze stolen from my mom’s liquor cabinet. I filled it every morning after she left for work, and drank to get through my days of seeing my abuser at my school. Sadly, I spiraled downward for years.
Thankfully, through various pivotal moments in my life, I began to heal and speak openly about the abuse that I had endured. I grew to know and grow close to other survivors who had endured similar. Through my strength in healing, I began to walk alongside other CSA survivors and their families, and advocate for Statute of Limitations reform. One thing I learned through this time period is that trauma and addiction often go hand in hand. So very many of my dear survivor family were in recovery or actively struggling with addictions. As humans, we so desperately desire to numb the grief and pain.
In a world where millions are affected by addiction, advocacy is vital to spreading awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting recovery. For me, writing for an organization like the National Addiction Awareness Complex (NAAC) is more than just creating content—it’s about driving change, providing hope, and advocating for a joyful and sober future.
The Power of Advocacy in Addiction Awareness
Advocacy is a powerful tool that addresses the societal challenges posed by addiction. It involves raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and creating a better understanding of the realities of substance use. In the context of addiction recovery, advocacy helps to destigmatize addiction, promote mental health, and encourage people to seek help without fear of judgment.
Through advocacy, we can educate the public, shape policy, and offer support to those struggling with substance abuse. Advocacy goes beyond information—it humanizes addiction, highlights the availability of treatment options, and shines a light on the successes of recovery and the fullness of a sober lifestyle. By changing public perception and focusing on addiction recovery, advocacy work empowers those affected by addiction to take their first steps toward healing.
Through my work for NAAC, I aim to:
Writing for the NAAC: Contributing to a Larger Cause
The National Addiction Awareness Complex (NAAC) is dedicated to promoting sober living and supporting those affected by addiction. Writing for NAAC, my words can contribute to a mission that seeks to build a destination for sobriety–the first ever of its kind. Providing resources, support, and a valuable community for people in recovery and their families, NAAC will prove that the sober lifestyle is rich, joyful, and fulfilling.
The NAAC Destination: A Hub for Sober Lifestyle Events
NAAC’s vision is to become a destination for individuals committed to sober living. As a hub for addiction recovery, NAAC will offer a wide range of activities, programs, and events that foster community and support for those in recovery. The Complex will offer families an Awareness Campground, Expo Center, Event Area and more–all centered around supporting the fullness of sober living.
The Personal Fulfillment of Advocacy Writing
I am genuinely humbled to be part of the NAAC mission. Knowing that my work can help to uphold individuals in recovery and their families in their journeys to create a future where sobriety is celebrated and supported brings meaning and fulfillment to me, as well. I am grateful for the opportunity, and look ahead to the raising of a complex which will be a pioneering destination dedicated to the promotion and celebration of the sober lifestyle. Join us to experience a vibrant, supportive environment where growth and well-being are at the heart of everything we do.
by Diana Hernandez-Vojtesek