The Transitional Living Community program is all about recovering from substance abuse. That is why you will not often find photos of happy well-groomed smiling patients who seem to be so happy with their recovery that they cannot stop themselves from jumping for joy. Instead what you will often see are photos of distressed and angry people who have just lost everything they once loved. These pictures are taken on a voluntary basis at these facilities in which the residents are asked to display a certain amount of emotion so that others who visit the facility can recognize their reactions.
Many people who have been addicted to drugs for some time and are looking for a new way to start a new life often go to these Transitional Living Communities for a respite from the trauma they have recently experienced. The reason for this is that the residents often feel so depressed and hopeless after they have completed detox that they are unable to look forward to a bright future. These are just a few examples of the kind of things you will often see. The photos can serve to lift the spirits of the residents because they reflect the joy of getting off drugs and on their way to becoming a new person. It is not easy to do this. It requires years of hard work to overcome all the obstacles that life may throw at them and many of these people who are trying to get clean are not only fighting the urge to use drugs they are fighting off other addictions that may still plague them.
Another reason these photos are so valuable is that they allow a family member or friend to be able to relate to the struggles that a person who is battling drug addiction is facing. There are many good friends who have had the same experiences as the ones that they have had and you can share their feelings with someone close to you. A lot of people feel that this can actually be beneficial for them because they know they are not alone in their struggle to get clean. Many of the programs and other services of the Transitional Living Community are free. They are also confidential. They are an opportunity for families to take advantage of the wonderful community that exists. It is a place where people are allowed to feel safe when they need it most – and it is a place where they can get the help that they need to become sober.