When the Door Opened

Book excerpt: Co-occurring mental illness and addiction are brain diseases that affect individuals, families, and communities regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or upbringing. There is no magic bullet for these chronic illnesses, but there are effective treatments through which recovery is achieved. When the Door Opened tells the authentic stories of twelve men who have experienced treatment and recovery from co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. Mary Ryan Woods, RNC, and Katherine Armstrong interviewed current and past participants from WestBridge, a dual diagnosis treatment program. Based on their dialogue, each chapter shares the raw memories and candid reflections of one man regarding his journey. Every individual who experiences treatment for co-occurring disorders defines recovery uniquely. By giving voice to these experiences, we can decrease the misconceptions and stigma faced by individuals in recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders.