Join us on Radio Row as Sports Philanthropy Network Founder Roy Kessel and Executive Vice President Kayla Bradham sit down with Tim Harrington, Founder and CEO of Family Addiction Recovery Services, to discuss the way we look at substance abuse and how we can avoid addiction.
Tim Harrington is the founder and chief empowerment officer of family addiction recovery services and sustainable recovery intervention services Inc. He is also the co-founder of wide wonder ZERO stigma education services. Tim is a family recovery coach and helps people and families who are recovering from substance abuse. During the interview, he goes into depth about showing an understanding and compassion towards a person struggling with substance abuse rather than strictly punishing them. It is important to know what is going on behind the scenes and hear each person’s story rather than just focusing on the symptoms and behaviors. Tim also connects a lot of substance abuse to the trauma that people experience in their lives. He says, “Stop saying what’s wrong with you and start asking what happened?” Tim explains the importance of creating a relationship rather than a punishment. When dealing with addiction and substance abuse, many people tend to focus on the drug itself and the problems substance abuse creates rather than on the factors that caused the addiction. Everyone deserves to be recognized and heard. The best thing you can do to support someone during substance abuse is to show compassion, empathy, and listen to their story. Tim also states that we should not use the word abuse anymore because it creates labels. Tim says, “Labels are for bottels and cans.” He also states, “Labels tell an inaccurate story.” He also talks about his own experiences with abuse and how it inspired him to create his service.
Tim Harrington joins Roy Kessel and Kayla Bradham on Radio Row