What is Warrior Down all about

The Warrior Down Program is designed to help Native Americans already in recovery, those re-entering the community after treatment for alcohol and substance abuse, mental disorders or after incarceration. The Warrior Down program reaches out to those community service, social and family service and law enforcement agencies who provide service to support Native Americans who are reconnecting with family and community after treatment and incarceration. Half way houses, work release centers, and other community after-care organizations are also included in the outreach. It is important to let Native Americans in recovery know that there is a culturally responsive recovery support system available for them in their community. It is our goal to establish community support for those individuals returning from prison, treatment for alcohol and substance abuse or those individuals who struggle with recovery. We as alcoholics and drug addicts not only need to be healed but we must help our families and communities to heal from the years of addictive behaviors. Warrior Down incorporates programs to help heal the family members and community members beside helping the individuals in recovery. The old adage “It takes a community to raise a child!” mirrors the goal of the Warrior Down program. It takes a knowledgeable family and community to help support those individuals trying to return to a healthy and productive life. The Wellbriety Programs that we follow in the Warrior Down Relapse Prevention and Recovery Support establish a network for those individuals in treatment centers, half-way houses, family and social service centers and other locations that will support peoples in recovery. These programs use traditional cultural and spiritual practices to help the individuals, families and communities heal from the generations of alcohol and substance abuse. We have found at Warrior Down that many Native Americans find healing through returning to the traditional cultural and spiritual practices. These include talking circles, healing circles, sweat lodge and traditional ceremonies. Bringing in the elders and children into the healing process is essential to the well-being of the men and women in the Recovery Program. Wellbriety fosters emotional, mental, physical and spiritual healing.

Why is Community Support Necessary?

Recovery is not just about staying sober. It is a way of experiencing life through new eyes, new thoughts and a new spirit. Re-establishing one’s life following treatment of alcohol or substance, or even following incarceration requires a community effort. Without the support of a knowledgeable family and community, many who try to return to healthy productive lives find themselves frustrated by the need for job training, education, housing, transportation, mental health care or spiritual and cultural support and connections with others who value sobriety and healthy life styles are an important part of recovery.