Amy Rodgers discusses who Good Clean Fun is for and considers how taking an expansive view of what it means to be “in recovery” can help answer this question.
Who is Good Clean Fun for?
We promote the party as an alcohol-free club night for people in recovery. In recent conversations, I’ve noticed that there’s some confusion around what this term might mean, or who it might apply to. What exactly does it signify, then, to say you are “in recovery”?
People often think that being in recovery is restricted to those who have overcome alcohol or substance misuse issues. Using it as a way to describe someone who is abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications is the most common usage of the phrase. Whilst the party definitely welcomes those who have struggled with substance misuse – indeed, it was created and is currently run by people with lived experience of this (myself included) – it is also designed for people beyond this group.
Here at Good Clean Fun we take an expansive view of what it means to be “in recovery”. Working under a wide and inclusive definition of this word, “recovery” then is a more general process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
When you think about it in this way, most people are in recovery of some sort: I’ve spoken to countless people who are involved in a healing process from various traumas, bereavement, burnout, PTSD, eating disorders, postnatal depression, growing up in a dysfunctional home, growing up with carers/parents with mental illness issues, financial trauma, physical illness etc. The list is endless. Most of us have had a tough time at some point in our lives and most of us are currently dealing with the effects of this and making a conscious effort to take care of ourselves in the aftermath.
To describe and promote Good Clean Fun as a party for people in recovery then is a move towards making it as open-ended and accessible as possible. It’s a great leveller: we may be in recovery from different illnesses, addictions, relationships, situations or traumas that are unique to us – but the feelings and processes are similar.
Recovery is a deeply personal, unique process of changing one’s attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills, and/or roles. Ultimately, it is about moving towards a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life even with the limitations caused by different types of illness or difficult life experiences.
Recovery is a holistic process, and it’s different for everyone. Yet the personal goals among us are not dissimilar – most people I speak to are simply trying to get to a place where we feel a little more mentally serene, a little more safe and content within our bodies, our lives, and our relationships.
It’s been an absolute joy to see Good Clean Fun become such an integral part of many people’s recovery journey.
So who then is Good Clean Fun for? The long answer is above but the most succinct answer is Good Clean Fun is for anyone who feels attracted to it, whatever the reason may be.
