Fit2BTide S12.E02: Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Wvuafm, tuscaloosa. [00:00:09] Speaker B: Happy Sunday, y'. [00:00:10] Speaker C: All. [00:00:10] Speaker B: You are listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone. And hello, my friend. [00:00:15] Speaker C: Hello. Welcome to week two. I know. [00:00:18] Speaker B: And you know, again, because we are pre recorded as both a radio show and podcast, we never know when individuals will actually listen to this episode. But I will say that the day of this recording, it is hot out there. [00:00:32] Speaker C: It is hot. And when our listeners listen to this, you know, for on the first air, it's already September. [00:00:39] Speaker B: I know. [00:00:40] Speaker C: And it's still this hot. [00:00:41] Speaker B: Yes, it is so strange. And you know, we have two incredible guests today. And you know, as we were kind of setting up for the show, I heard you guys talking about pet care and everything else. So. Nika, I'm actually gonna go into that topic with you right now. And the reason I'm bringing it up, I know that you guys have, you guys have a. [00:01:01] Speaker C: Do we have a rescue? [00:01:02] Speaker B: Okay, how old is your, how old is your pup? [00:01:04] Speaker C: We don't know. [00:01:05] Speaker B: Okay. [00:01:06] Speaker C: The vet says based on his teeth, that's how they tell age. Okay. Around 10. [00:01:12] Speaker B: Oh, I didn't realize. He. He's 10. Okay. [00:01:15] Speaker C: He's a little younger than that. Uhhuh. He's not a puppy, but he's not really an old man. Just. Okay. [00:01:22] Speaker B: So I, the reason I'm asking about this, you know, we had been longtime dog owners until our dog Lou, you know, old man, he passed away and you know, just really him. But my mom is about to go on a trip with some folks from her church to Spain. And so she's asked us to watch her six or seven month old toy poodle. And I just, I don't know, I, I haven't done the small dog thing before. And the puppy's name is Sophia and she's in that puppy biting stage. And so I'm just, I'm just mentally preparing for that. I've already booked her a grooming appointment in Tuscaloosa because I want her nails like trimmed and polished and everything else. [00:02:06] Speaker C: And you have little ones? [00:02:07] Speaker B: Yes. And my mom, she already does the upkeep for her there, like where she lives with my mom. But I'm also like, look, we're gonna wine and dine this little pup while she's with us. And also, yeah, I don't, I don't want her scratching everything. [00:02:19] Speaker C: So my little pup, he's around, you know, 9 to 10 pounds and he's just a lap dog. He just wants to be near You. And so he doesn't do the whole jumping up, scratching on the leg there. But I mean, I could see, you know, the puppy age doing that. So. Yeah, I think you're, you're good to have them filed down so they're not leaving, you know. [00:02:40] Speaker B: Yes. Now, where does your dog sleep? In the bed with you or your girls? [00:02:45] Speaker C: Oh, yeah. Okay. I mean, I'd let him drive the car if he needed to. Man. [00:02:49] Speaker B: See, that's what I missed. So our dog Lou, he was a rescue. He was, he was like closer to 40, 50 pounds and man, he was dead weight on top of the comforter. And it's, you know, I miss that. [00:03:01] Speaker C: Buddy is a, is a burr. Like he, he likes to burrow. [00:03:04] Speaker B: Okay. [00:03:04] Speaker C: And so he gets under the covers and he. It's not good for my back and my, like, posture because he requires that I sleep on my side with my legs bent so he can curl up in the, in the. Yes. In the bend of my, the back of my legs. [00:03:22] Speaker B: Huh. [00:03:23] Speaker C: And he is, he lets me know. [00:03:25] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:03:25] Speaker C: Like, if I toss and turn too much, he comes out from under the covers and gets in my face like, what are you doing? Okay. But I mean, I love it. It's, it's, you know, I've gotten used to it. We've had him for three years and so I can't imagine. I don't want to imagine. Yes. Not having my bed buddy. [00:03:43] Speaker B: Well, in future episodes, I will report on how Sophia does. I think the thing that I'm interested in right now. So last night, our kids had a really great idea for all four of us to sleep in the same bed together. I've normally been sleeping in one of the BUN bunk beds with our five year old, Jack. I call him my barnacle baby because he just has to touch me while he's sleeping and he'll like, smell my forearm. Like, just weird things. He's like, you just smell so good. And I'm like, well, I'm glad it's that versus the opposite, you know? But anyways, listeners, if you are just now joining in and you're thinking, what are the ladies talking about today? Are they talking about children? Puppies? What is happening? We're not talking about any of those things. [00:04:24] Speaker C: No, no. I mean, like, we love to keep you on your toes. [00:04:28] Speaker B: We really do. And so just as a teaser, because we're about to have to go on a break, you guys, it is September, or by the time this episode airs, it will be September, which means it is recovery month. So we are Going to have our wonderful friends from Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services in just a little bit. But you guys, we've got to take a quick break. You are listening to fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone. [00:04:58] Speaker A: Wvuafm tuscaloosa. [00:05:07] Speaker C: Welcome back, listeners. You are listening to fifth be tied with Sheena and Mneka on 90.7 the Capstone. [00:05:12] Speaker B: That's right. And if you are just now joining us, that's actually a good thing because as our, as our veteran listeners know, we tend to go rogue in the first and last segment. And so previously we were talking about puppies and co sleeping with children and, and all that good stuff. But right before the break, we did mention that September is recovery month and we are having some fabulous guests today from Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services. So right now we would like to welcome Natalie Holland, who is program coordinator for the Collegiate Recovery Community, as well as UA student CeCe LeBlanc, who is a part of the Collegiate Recovery Community as a student member. Ladies, thank you for coming on the show today. [00:05:56] Speaker A: Well, yeah, thank you for having us. Thank you. [00:05:59] Speaker B: Absolutely. And so one of the things that we always like to do at this point in the show is really get to learn a little bit more about our guests. And Natalie, we'll have you kick us off. I we know you've gotten to be on the show before and, and talk about the center. But for our listeners that are just now joining in, tell us about your hometown, your academic and professional background and what your role is at the crc. [00:06:23] Speaker A: All right. Well, I will claim Tuscaloosa as my hometown. I've been been here since 2000, which is longer than most of our students are before their birthday. That's Kalisa went to high school here, went to college here. I have a background in psychology. My first job in the addiction recovery space was in 2011. Now, my background since that time has been very diverse, including a nice seven year stint as a stay at home mom, a marketing job in Nashville, nonprofit work, worked for the hospital. And then now I've been with the crc, the Collegiate Recovery Community, for a year. So last year when we sat in this room, I had not been through a fall football season, not been through the spring. So I had a lot of great answers and great information that we were talking about. But it, it's a different place now that I've got a year under my belt. [00:07:18] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:07:18] Speaker A: Exciting. [00:07:20] Speaker C: It feels longer than a year that I've known you. [00:07:23] Speaker A: Yes. But I didn't Meet you. Till we sat in this room. I knew Sheena. Yeah. But the first time that we met, it was this podcast about a year ago. [00:07:31] Speaker C: Yes. [00:07:32] Speaker B: And look at the connections that have been made since. [00:07:34] Speaker C: I know our. Our daughters are at the same school and in the same grade. [00:07:38] Speaker B: Look at that. [00:07:38] Speaker C: That small world. [00:07:40] Speaker B: And so. And I will say your counterpart, Alex, Live Oak. You know, I. And I don't think he would be upset with me mentioning this, but he sings your praises all the time, especially with your giftedness for being organized and having that mom touch to things. So, yeah, just shout out to that Natalie. [00:07:57] Speaker A: Thank you. I have the mom touch, but we're both a little crazy, Alex and I, so I don't know if organized is the word, but I'm on top of it when it comes to the events and the outreach and the getting things ready for that. Even if that means we have to send him on a Publix run in the middle of Get On Board day. Because we need more lemonade. But we can talk about that later. [00:08:18] Speaker B: Hey, you know what? We just gotta be flexible and hire it. [00:08:21] Speaker C: Gotta pivot. [00:08:22] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure. Now, Cece, tell us about you. Tell us your hometown, what year in school you are, your academic program, how long you've been part of the crc. [00:08:32] Speaker D: Yeah, so I just started my grad year as an MBA graduate student. I previously. I've been here for almost five years. This is my fifth year. I spent the last four years studying mechanical engineering. Graduated in May with a bachelor's in that. [00:08:46] Speaker C: Congratulations. [00:08:48] Speaker D: And I'm originally from Houma, Louisiana, which you're going to ask, where is that? South of New Orleans. An hour south. And you're going to say, oh, I didn't know there was anything south of New Orleans. Yes, there is. I'm basically on the bayou. That is the typical response that I get. But, yeah, I've been here four years. I've been part of the CRC for two years, maybe a year and a half. I kind of lost track. I've lost track how long Natalie's been here, but it's only been a year. But, yeah, I will say she's very organized. Just to touch on that. Very, very organized. [00:09:20] Speaker A: Husband would disagree. [00:09:21] Speaker D: Alex always talks about it, and he's always in the crc. Like, I don't know where Natalie went. She's probably planning something. [00:09:30] Speaker A: Yes. [00:09:31] Speaker C: Making it happen. Love it. So let me ask you a question, Cece. With you having your undergrad in engineering and getting your master's, an mba, what do you see yourself doing? In the future for a career. [00:09:46] Speaker D: Oh, goodness. Great question. I have a lot of hobbies and a lot of things that I would like to do. I have been on a. An organization on campus called Crimson Racing for the past four years. Is my fifth year. I've spent my time doing a lot of suspension design. We do motorsports, so we design a formula car. I'm not going to give you a whole spiel because I can talk forever about this, but I've spent a lot of my time on the suspension sub team, and I've spent my time as the communications lead, so I do the marketing and outreach, but also engineering design. My life goal right now is to make it to, like, Charlotte, North Carolina, to be, like, a tire engineer or to work in engineering at that point. But my newest fascination is DJing, and I love coffee and books. So taking inspiration from a lot of different places I've seen is to make like, a cafe, like, coffee bar, but it's also, like a DJ area. That's a wild dream. [00:10:40] Speaker C: You are so and right, brain. [00:10:43] Speaker B: Yes. I'm just. I'm like, let's file all of the things that CCJ talked about in the things that I am not gifted. Right. [00:10:49] Speaker A: I didn't even touch on half of it. She bakes. She runs half marathons. Like, I could go on and on. She plays guitar. [00:10:56] Speaker D: I don't think I'm, like, amazing at every. All of those things, but I. There's a very broad spectrum of hobbies, and I try to do everything. So don't ask me how much I actually sleep, because this is a wellness podcast and. [00:11:07] Speaker B: No, you're, like, true. Like, you are a 2026 Renaissance woman. [00:11:11] Speaker C: Honestly. Yes. When you said racing, at first, I was like, oh, cool. She runs, like, marathons. And, you know, like, I build the car. And I'm like, okay. Things that I would never be able to say and it be the truth coming out of my mouth. I know. [00:11:28] Speaker B: I'm just like, oh, my goodness. Well, I. So, you know, now in my head, I have all of these questions for you, cece, but I'm trying to pace them through, you know, the logistics of our show. So, Natalie, we'll jump back to you for a second. You know, we were throwing around the terminology crc, Collegiate Recovery Community, Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services. What is the mission and purpose of the crc? [00:11:51] Speaker A: I thought a lot about this question today, and I thought about my answer that I had last year, and it's still the same. And I wrote it down because I will say it. We provide A safe, supportive community where students can thrive academically and in recovery. Now, that is the truth. But after being with the CRC Collegiate Recovery Community for a year, I thought, what is one word or two words that I can really, like, boil that down to? And it boils down to belonging. And I know you guys know the research that is out that says the number one indicator of student success in college, belonging. And what is belonging is really home. Like our students have home. And yes, the recovery piece is huge. Like, we. They need to have a desire to be in recovery or be in recovery, desire that lifestyle. But it's not just the resources and the activities. It's in our name. It's community, and that's what we provide students. [00:12:47] Speaker C: I love that. I do, too. [00:12:49] Speaker B: Yes. I, you know, and I think that when you think about students coming to a community like that and students like ucc, you know, I think that that's amazing and beautiful. And so we're excited to really use today's episode to talk about what that community has meant to ucc. And, you know, for you, Natalie is a pro staff member. And so when we think about the membership requirements for students being part of the community, what does that look like? [00:13:14] Speaker A: I think that sometimes people get bogged down in the term membership because you have to meet these specific requirements. You have to have a desire, a desire for a recovery lifestyle. Now, there are more perks if you have a year or more in recovery, like access to the door. But if you walk in the room where our students are hanging out, you can't look and say, oh, they're a full member. They're half member, they're sober yet Yesterday, they've got 10 years. Everybody's together in recovery, but there has to be a desire. Now, somebody can come in and they drank or used or struggled that morning, and they're wanting to come in that afternoon. We can help them. They can walk in the door and say, hey, I'm not sober yet, but I want to be. And they have a place with us. [00:13:59] Speaker C: I love that. Yes. [00:14:00] Speaker B: Yes. So, you know, thinking about that and knowing that we're about to have to go on a break. Cece, let's start with you. What do you love most about being part of the CRC right now? [00:14:12] Speaker D: So much. It's so welcoming. I came into the CRC and I was very scared. I was very shy, but I knew, like, something was missing in my life. And I walked in, and all of a sudden it's just welcoming. And you never know what you're going to walk into there, the jokes you're gonna walk into the shows we watch sometimes. And almost to the point where the first time I walked in, you couldn't ignore it. I couldn't sit still and just not talk and kind of shy away into this hobbit hole and read my book. I had to talk to people. I had to socialize, and it really got me out of my shell. And then everyone is nonjudgmental all the time. They're always open to hearing your story and giving you advice, but very straightforward advice. It's never sugarcoated. And they're very real. Real is the term that I would use. [00:14:57] Speaker B: I think I like that as a core word. Just real and authentic. And, Natalie, we've got to go on a quick break, but when we get back, I want your answer. We are listening to a Fit to be Tied with sheena Nika on 90.7 capstone. Wvuafm, Tuscaloosa. [00:15:25] Speaker C: Happy Sunday, y'. All. You are listening to Fit to be tied with sheena anika on 90.7 the capstone. And today we are joined by Natalie Holland, who is the program coordinator in CC LeBlanc. LeBlanc, yes. I always say names wrong. Have you ever noticed that? And with a name like Nika, you think I'd get it right. Who is a CRC student? And if you're wondering what is crc, it is the collegiate recovery community here at the University of Alabama. And if you were listening to us, before we took our break, we asked CeCe, what do you love the most about being part of the community? And now we want to ask that question to Natalie. What do you love in your role as program coordinator? [00:16:10] Speaker A: I've got all these events going through my head. My favorite thing that we do are the sober tailgates. I love doing outreach. I love getting to take the students to do pottery or paintball or all of these fun things. But at the heart of the community in our group, it's really the students. I love getting to be around them and the work ethic of the ones cece that we have here lately. Like, the first day of classes, we set up coffee on the quad, and we. I packed my car down. I had two loads in the sequoia of stuff that we were taking to the quad. Cece met me out there at 7. We're carrying tents and tables and drinks and wagons and all of this stuff to set up. And it was just so fun to have students show up and work towards the mission of the CRC and Making sure that people on campus know who we are. And we had fun doing it. [00:17:04] Speaker D: A lot of fun. I don't know how we thought that only the two of us could carry all that out there, though. [00:17:08] Speaker A: We had helpers along the way carrying tents for us. [00:17:12] Speaker C: Oh, and you did it in 100% humidity. [00:17:14] Speaker B: Yes. [00:17:15] Speaker C: Even better. [00:17:16] Speaker A: Sweating. [00:17:17] Speaker B: I like that event. You know, just getting to see you guys do the event was beautiful. And I will say, specifically with that event, and going back to Alex's comments about organization, he. I got to see him on that same day, later in the afternoon or maybe it was a couple days later. And he's like, I did not realize how much stuff Natalie had out on the quad. She was like, hey, will you come help us clean up? He was like, I. I just was not prepared. [00:17:44] Speaker A: He could not ride back with me in my car. Like we had. Yeah, he. He never understands, like, how much stuff there's going to be. And I probably don't realize it either until I start adding to it. But then it looked beautiful. [00:17:56] Speaker B: You had a vision. [00:17:57] Speaker A: So many students. I had a vision. [00:17:58] Speaker D: It attracted a lot of students. [00:18:00] Speaker A: Yes, over a hundred. How many students? Have no idea. [00:18:04] Speaker D: We went through a lot of cold [00:18:05] Speaker A: brew and all of the Alanis, 70 something Alanis and a lot of conversations about who we are. [00:18:11] Speaker C: I love that. [00:18:12] Speaker B: That is so perfect. And you know, cece, for you, as a member of the collegiate recovery community, I to give you an opportunity to share your story about your recovery experience. I think that's one of the things that we really value about having those student guests, especially when we do an episode focused on the collegiate recovery community. And so for our listeners that are joining us, we do just want to put in a trigger warning as we talk about addiction and recovery and eating disorder related things. But on that note, CeCe, tell us what your journey has been. [00:18:47] Speaker D: Yeah, for sure. So I came into the CRC with about five years, recovered from anorexia and purely anorexia and orthorexia, purely eating disorder stuff. I was never addicted to drugs or alcohol or anything like that. So I had a very unique experience coming in because I feel like a lot of people I talk to who also have eating disorders are also using or have alcoholism issues as well. And it was very different. But I came to learn that an eating disorder is almost like an addiction as well. And I have a lot of similarities to the people within the crc. But going back to my story, I've struggled with this since I was 11 or 12, and I switched throughout a Lot of schools in middle school and high school, eventually ending up at a charter school in northern Louisiana when I was 15, 14 or 15. And that's really where things got rough. And I didn't have my family around me or a very good support system. And I had been reaching out to people on the campus that I was staying at, and nobody really wanted to help me. The RA while I was there, because we lived in dorms with people around our age, and the ra, she did not want to help me to get into it. She kind of laughed in my face when I told her what I was struggling with. And it really didn't. I didn't get any help until my mom really noticed something and she called the nurse at my school to check in on me constantly. And I say it was more like an addiction because I had tried. I wanted to get better so badly. I had wanted to start eating. I had really wanted to, you know, live a life and go to college because I knew that if I didn't get better, I wouldn't be able to go to college. And my academics are a really big part of my life. I love school so much. For some odd reason, I would be here forever if I. If I could get paid for it. But I just couldn't get better. And it got to a point where I had to move out. I had to be sent home. I ended up going to Dallas for in person treatment, inpatient treatment for about six months to a year. I don't remember off the top of my head. And then that was all during COVID as well. So I missed Covid entirely. [00:20:47] Speaker B: Wow. [00:20:48] Speaker D: Got out the hospital and everybody's wearing masks and I didn't really know what to do. And school was virtual. I went to a brand new school at that point. So high school was a really tough time for me. And then coming to college, joined a sorority, got into the party scene for a few years. Also realized that that wasn't really for me. I kind of grew out of that. And something just really felt like it was missing in my life. I joined all these organizations. I was trying to be a leader in them, trying to get internships, but I just kind of shoved all of this eating disorder and this like, addiction part of me down. And like, I wasn't addressing it at all. I wasn't coping well with it, or I was ignoring all these thoughts that I had that I knew were issues. And then I found the crc. I actually went to some training. I forget what it's called. It was like suicide awareness training. And Alex was speaking there about the resources that the CRC provided, and I was like, oh, my goodness, this is exactly what I want to be a part of. And I walked up to him, talked to him, and then showed up the next day at the crc. I've been here ever since, have not left. [00:21:51] Speaker C: Thank you for sharing that very quick [00:21:53] Speaker D: synopsis of where my life has gone in the past 10 years. [00:21:57] Speaker B: No, I mean, I'm just so grateful because I know, you know, historically and especially with the inception of our collegiate recovery community, it had, you know, original ties to substance misuse. And now the fact that we have integrated those that are in recovery for eating disorders and disordered eating is amazing. I may be biased because by trade, as a registered dietitian, my clinical expertise is in the eating disorders field. So I always have a heart for that community. So to hear you really articulate what your journey has been and what the CRC has meant to you is really incredible. [00:22:33] Speaker D: I mean, I think it's very similar. Your recovery is really focused on a balance, like a balance of your life. And that's what eating disorder recovery is, too. It's, how am I balancing my life while also coping well with things that are triggering to me. And I think you find that in substance abuse as well. [00:22:50] Speaker C: And I like that y' all bringing this up, because I think people, they. They default when they hear addiction recovery. They always think alcohol, nicotine, drugs, but [00:23:03] Speaker A: it can be food, shopping, family behavior, process, addiction, anything. [00:23:11] Speaker C: Like people, phones. Phones. Yes. I mean, there's all kinds of addictions out there. And, you know, we can't be like, oh, well, this one means more than that one. No, that's. It's. It's all welcome at the crc. Am I right about that? [00:23:30] Speaker A: Yes. And we're starting to see more students come in with disordered eating. Students come in with the process, the behavior, addictions, the things that you just named. And I think we're going to continue to see more and more of that. So we always want to make sure that people know who we are, that we exist, and that we exist for those. Not just substance use, but those other issues as well. [00:23:50] Speaker B: Well, Natalie, I know in a little bit we're gonna have to take another break, but I. I do wanna know when you are speaking to the community and you are educating on misconceptions about addiction and substance misuse or what that person looks like, what. What do you tell the community? [00:24:07] Speaker A: This is probably one of my favorite, because they do. They're also similar. I mean, they say the same. The addiction is a choice. That's what a lot of people think. You can get better. If you want to get better, you can do it by yourself. [00:24:23] Speaker B: You. [00:24:24] Speaker A: Let's see. You know, it's. [00:24:26] Speaker C: You gotta want it bad enough. I mean, there's some truth. [00:24:29] Speaker A: You've gotta want it. Yes. [00:24:30] Speaker C: Right. [00:24:30] Speaker A: But there's a lot of people that go into recovery, that go into treatment. They don't want it, but they get it, and they get it when they come out. Yes, but we've got to get away from the whole. Like, a person that's addicted is somebody that's living under a bridge that looks a certain way. You can look at somebody and tell that they are not. You can't see that they are struggling. [00:24:48] Speaker C: Right. [00:24:48] Speaker A: You can't look at somebody and see the addiction. Sometimes you can if it's gotten bad enough. There are physical signs, but you can't always see it. And it's not something that we should feel shame or there should be stigma. It's 2026. I'd really like us to move past the stigma and the shame. Yeah, you need to go to treatment. If you need to get help, then we should support that. [00:25:07] Speaker C: And going back to make. Let me clarify. When I say you gotta want it, a lot of what I mean by that is people think you lack the willpower. [00:25:15] Speaker A: Right. [00:25:15] Speaker C: And it's. That's not. It's. It's in the brain. [00:25:19] Speaker A: It is in the brain behavior. [00:25:21] Speaker C: And yes, there is that truth of, like you said, you want. People who come to CRC want to be in an active recovery. Like, yeah, you. You don't want to be forced to come because then you're not going to change any kind of behavior if someone's making that decision for you. But I wanted to clarify that. It was like, don't just be like, pull yourself up by your bootstraps. [00:25:39] Speaker A: Right. It's not willpower. [00:25:41] Speaker B: Come on. [00:25:41] Speaker A: I can just do it. Just. You got to have that grit and that determination to get it done. No, that's not part of healing and getting better. Right now we do have some students that come that have been mandated because of a conduct case, mandated to the other side of the hallway in our office where they are mandated to do the therapy and the intensive outpatient. But then they do come to the CRC once they realize they do want to live that sober lifestyle, they do want the recovery. Because all of our students are completely voluntary. Nobody is forced to be there. [00:26:10] Speaker C: Right. [00:26:10] Speaker A: It doesn't mean they chose recovery in the beginning. It doesn't mean that it was easy for them, but they want to have a recovery community. [00:26:17] Speaker C: Yes. [00:26:18] Speaker B: That is wonderful. I know we're taking a quick break, but when we get back, I think just on that vein, of the recent conversation we've had, I'd love for us to talk about how family and friends can be the most helpful and support supportive when. When they have a loved one that they're concerned about. You know, whether you want to actively support them in their recovery journey or you're trying to get them to those initial resources. But, you guys, we got to take a quick break. Run to the restroom, grab a drink of water, do what you got to do. You are listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Na on 90.7, the capstone. Double wvuafm Tuscaloosa. [00:27:05] Speaker C: Welcome back, y'. All. You are listening to Fit to be tied with sheena Anika on 90.7, a capstone. And we are joined today by our guest from the collegiate recovery community here at the university, Natalie Holland, who is program coordinator, and CeCe LeBlanc. I found out that's the way I'm supposed to say it, and I'm so sher CRC student. And we have been having some great conversation. If you have not listened to any segment yet, I encourage you to go back, especially listen to her story. And Natalie, describe all the different things that, you know, you can get from being a member of the crc. [00:27:49] Speaker B: Yes. You know, cleared up some misconceptions about addiction and substance misuse and so on that vein, I would love for us to really talk about how can family and friends be the most helpful and supportive in getting a loved one the help that they need, or even just supporting someone in their active recovery journey. What would you guys say? And I'd love for both of y' all to respond to that. [00:28:12] Speaker A: I'm so glad you asked this question because I sat to a mom this morning and talked to her who is trying to help a. A friend. And this mom has lost both first sons to addiction. We're very close. She helps with the crc. She's healthy now. She goes to al Anon. She works on her grief support. But we have another mutual friend who is needing help. And I, I was looking at these questions when she was in my office, and I'm like, you know what? What should we tell this friend and his family? And I think you just have to take it. You have to approach it like nothing else matters. If you get cancer, are you going to say, you know what? Let's just finish out school and then we'll treat the cancer. [00:28:55] Speaker C: Right? Oh, I like it. [00:28:57] Speaker A: Are you gonna to put that off? You're gonna take care of it now. Don't worry about work, don't worry about your divorce, that you. You treat it right. If you are sick, you get help immediately. Health comes first. The other stuff can wait. You can figure that out later, but we want you to have a later where you can figure it out. And I don't think that families often want to think about it as life or death, because maybe it's not rock bottom yet, maybe it's not that bad, but let's not let it get that bad. Let's get help now and just forget about the stigma and the shame and the embarrassment. That doesn't matter. Get the help. [00:29:36] Speaker B: Gosh, I love that. And, you know, when you think about that person who is in active recovery, whether it is from an eating disorder or substance misuse, cece, what would you say to someone who is not part of a recovery community? And, you know, and they're thinking, oh, you know, my friend is now living a life of sobriety, or, oh, they are trying to maintain their healthy relationship with food. I don't want to say anything that's upsetting to them. You know, what do I do? What advice would you give to someone? [00:30:04] Speaker D: Ask them. Like, I am so open. I don't talk about this to random people I'm seeing on the street. But if someone would just ask me, ask me about it. I am totally open with sharing my story with anybody and giving them help and giving them advice to talk to other people who are in recovery and to touch on the family side. I think I have a very different perspective. I. In recovery, it was Covid. So they stopped all visitation rights. My parents were seven to nine hours away from me, so I didn't have much interaction with them except through letters. And the best thing that they could do for me was to get help themselves, to go seek out help through other resources and to have, like, those groups that you like, grief support. And maybe it's not grief support, because I wasn't, you know, passed away, but I was seven hours away from them. And I can't imagine having a child going through that in adolescence, just in a different state, not really knowing how they're doing except through letters. So getting that support for yourself as a parent and as a friend, honestly, and asking them and being honest, especially now, if anybody is ever looking for advice to talk to their friends, I am, of course, always open to Share that experience. [00:31:16] Speaker A: Thank you. [00:31:17] Speaker C: Natalie. Do you happen to know the statistic of, like, when someone is suffering from the throes of an addiction, they're not doing it in a vacuum. There's like, what is like four to six people around them are also experiencing it somehow collaterally with them? [00:31:35] Speaker A: I don't know the statistic, but yes, your. Your friends, your family, your co workers, everyone around you. Find somebody that's not been touched by addiction. I'm glad you brought. CeCe brought up the point with her family taking care of themselves, because that's something I did not touch on yet. But we do have Al Anon at our office. And that's another thing that we do want family to know, to take care of yourself, because the codependency, the sickness, it kind of. [00:32:00] Speaker C: It. [00:32:00] Speaker A: It runs in the family. It's when the family's trying to solve the problem, take care of it, fix it, and it can't be fixed by them. [00:32:08] Speaker D: And when you get to go back home after recovery to a family that's open and has gotten the help and is happy and is willing to talk to you. And I feel like my dad was a completely changed person. And then when I went into outpatient recovery, we would make bracelets together. He knew what my hobbies were, and we would do that was life changing for me. That was such a great experience that he wanted to invest in my hobbies. Even if I was very sad and miserable in the moment. I was still teaching him how to make bracelets, and it was an enjoyable moment for me. [00:32:36] Speaker B: I love cece, the fact that you said, you know, as a piece of advice, you know, just. Just ask the person, you know, what would be helpful. And, you know, I think about my time serving in a clinical role at ua, and I would often have parents be nervous about their student coming home for Thanksgiving, and it's like, I don't want to mess up their recovery. What should I do? And I'm like, you know, I'm like, I can tell you some things that would be helpful based on my time with your student, but I think they would actually just appreciate you having an open conversation and saying, hey, what are your safe foods right now? Are there certain things that are still triggering to you? Can I help by making, you know, kind of, you know, being like, an additional bandwidth between you and some of our family members that may unknowingly say something that's triggering, you know, something along those lines, but just having that openness of saying, like, hey, let me just directly ask you what Would be the most helpful in this moment. [00:33:28] Speaker D: And holidays are hard. I mean, with all that extended family. My grandma. My grandma has eight siblings. My grandpa has three siblings. That is a very big Christmas. And not everybody knows my story. So you have to have that buffer sometimes. Yeah. [00:33:42] Speaker C: Yeah. I like that you don't. Don't like. You don't feel like you have to hide. Like, this is a part of my life that's a huge part of my life. But let me go and put on this mask and hide it, because nobody wants to talk about it. Everybody's tiptoeing around me. I love that you. You're like, ask. Let's just get it out in the light, and let's just. Let's let it heal. [00:34:01] Speaker D: Well, I got that from the crc. Just being able to embrace, like, who I like. This is a part of me. I can't hide it. It's gonna come up at some point. It doesn't really. It's not. [00:34:09] Speaker C: He'll always hide. [00:34:11] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:34:11] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:34:12] Speaker C: Because it's you. [00:34:13] Speaker D: Yeah. And it also just helps get people into the crc. Like, look, I struggle some days. Some days I don't struggle. And I still get to be in college, have a fun life, enjoy. My friends at the CRC and outside of the crc, and we're all recovery focused. [00:34:27] Speaker A: When we have new students come in the room and they meet with the students that have been there, you can almost just see that tension, like, oh, leave their body. [00:34:35] Speaker C: It's a softness to land. [00:34:37] Speaker A: It is a soft. It is a safe place. It is comfort. And they can just. Just feel it. And just to sit back and kind of watch. They come in, they're nervous. They're trying this out. They don't know what to do. And then just. They just breathe and the conversations start. And it's just a beautiful thing to see, man. [00:34:53] Speaker C: Okay. [00:34:53] Speaker B: I just so heart emoji. [00:34:55] Speaker A: And I'm like, come hang out with us. [00:34:57] Speaker B: I know. Well, you know, and having you guys on the show today, like, part of it is, of course we love you guys. We love the services that you offer. But also, too, with it being September and recovery month, we wanted you guys on this show so you could share any. Any kind of special programming that's happening this month or just things that we should be on the lookout for this academic year in general from the CRC community. [00:35:22] Speaker A: Let's start with our yellow balloon initiative. We started this last year. We partnered with the shirt shop. You guys have seen the logos that the shirt shop will put on polos or hats, other products. The yellow balloon, we've got logos designed with Roll Tide Bama, and they will put that on any product that you want. We get 20% of the proceeds, and that goes directly back to student programming. Now I'm saying yellow balloon, and I know that most of the listeners are going to be like, what does that have to do with recovery? Why are we talking about balloons? So if you have ever been to a jam band concert like the Grateful Dead or Phish or. What else am I missing? Widespread panic. They started this years ago where they would have yellow balloons during the concert so people could come. Sober people, people in recovery could come and have a meeting during the concert. So when you would look for it, you would look for the yellow balloons. Now, when we do our sober tailgates, which we have one coming up, is it September 4th or 5th? It's coming up soon. What is the 5th? Okay, thank you. We will be under the yellow balloons. So we've kind of continued that our yellow balloon initiative at the shirt shop. And also this year, we've added swag. Oh, last. We didn't have as many products for the ladies that we wanted to. So right across the street from the shirt shop downtown Tuscaloosa, you can go to the swag. Same thing. 20% of proceeds will come back to us. And they're going to do some cool products for us as well. With that yellow balloon logo. [00:36:59] Speaker B: I see a little makeup bag in my future with that logo. [00:37:03] Speaker C: Yes. And we have visited the tailgate before, and I have been walking with my girls, and I'm like, it's just look for the yellow balloons. And they spot it, and they're like, there it is. [00:37:13] Speaker A: And it's been so much fun. I'm inviting everybody. Now that I've got one football season under my belt, I want my kids, friends to come. I want family members to come. It's not just for members of the crc. Is a fun, safe, sober place to hang out. And a lot of times, football season is when students struggle. What am I going to do if I can't drink on game day? You can come watch the game. You can do the football thing and not worry about drinking. [00:37:40] Speaker C: Yeah. And y' all have a nice setup. [00:37:42] Speaker A: We have a great setup. And we're gonna add a few things for this first game, like our cold brew, because it was such a hit and it. [00:37:48] Speaker D: I didn't even know this. [00:37:49] Speaker A: It is a morning game. I don't know if I've told Alex yet either, but we're Making it. We've got a Sam's trip coming up where we're gonna stock up. Cold brew, maybe dirty sodas. I don't know. Maybe we'll have some Alanis. But it's fun. We're gonna make. [00:38:01] Speaker B: It's fun. [00:38:02] Speaker D: It's clean. [00:38:03] Speaker C: Kids are running around and you don'. Hey, everybody is acting weird over here while the rest of the quad is being. No, it's. There's nothing. [00:38:16] Speaker A: You just. [00:38:17] Speaker C: Just no alcohol. But I mean, other than that, it is. [00:38:20] Speaker A: We're playing cornhole. We've got the TV set up. It is a food that's catered. It is a people coming in and out national tailgate. [00:38:27] Speaker D: It's not a boring tailgate. [00:38:28] Speaker C: No, no. [00:38:29] Speaker B: Well, I. Y' all are for one. You're making me hungry, getting me excited about football season. But we've got to take a break. But in our last se. Natalie, we gotta talk a little bit about the fact that the CRC is about to get a new home. [00:38:43] Speaker A: So we're so excited. So much more room for activity. [00:38:47] Speaker B: I know. Okay, on that note, you guys, we're taking a quick break. You are listening to FIT to be tied with Sheena and N on 90.7 to Capstone. Wvuafm, Tuscaloosa Foreign. [00:39:10] Speaker C: Thanks for listening, y'. All. You have been listening to it. To be tied with Sheena and Na on 90.7. The capstone. [00:39:17] Speaker B: That's right. And today we have just had the best time talking about the collegiate recovery community here at the University of Alabama. We have had Natalie Holland, who serves as program director of the community, as well as CeCe LeBlanc, who is a student member of the collegiate recovery community. And I know right before the break we were teasing the fact that the CRC is about to move into a new home on campus soon. Natalie, tell us more. [00:39:43] Speaker A: So the student wellbeing hub. Is that the correct way to say it? I feel. I was saying wellness hub for a while. The well being hub. We are going to be in a new space on campus with about four other departments. Wellness departments. I know that the total square footage of the building is 81, 000 square feet. I don't know what our space is, but I know it's double what we have now. We are. We love our little cozy space that we have. It's home, but we've outgrown it. When we host things like Thanksgiving parties and watch parties, we are squeezing in there. We don't have enough room for everybody. We will have a. The space for everybody. And more. We cannot wait to grow the CRC and actually have the space to do it. [00:40:29] Speaker B: I'm so excited for you guys. I'm also excited about the fact that my department will get to be with you guys as well. And you know, just the fact that you guys will continue to have a gaming room for your students. That is something that I really love about the crc. But also too for listeners who are just now learning about the student well being Hub. I am pretty sure it's going to be one of the only buildings on campus that does not have a lick of crimson in it. There is no crimson in that building whatsoever. The color palette for this well being hub is in your teals and your blues and your greens. Oh, color they want to go with. Yeah. [00:41:09] Speaker C: Color theory. The psychology of like calming color. [00:41:12] Speaker B: Yes. They want that biophilic like wellness well being kind of space. [00:41:17] Speaker A: I think it's going to be good. I think a lot of like our staff, our, our team was a little worried when they didn't see crimson, but I think that it's gonna feel nice. [00:41:26] Speaker D: No, I felt that way. I felt very calm. [00:41:28] Speaker A: Yes. [00:41:30] Speaker C: If you are just dying for some crimson, just go anywhere else. [00:41:35] Speaker B: Yeah. Go anywhere else on campus. [00:41:36] Speaker C: Yeah, you'll get it. [00:41:37] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure. Well, it's going to be an amazing space. I think that just with all of the departments that will be within that building. I know Collegiate Recovery, our Camellia center, our counseling center, Health Promotional Wellness, our student well student care and well office through the Dean of Students. Just a lot of really great departments that take care of students in such intentional ways and make it an efficient one stop shop. [00:42:05] Speaker A: We can collab together and physically be together in the same space. [00:42:10] Speaker C: Having to bounce around campus just because of the, the, the way the space was, the limited space, like you know, because I know you are more than walking distance distance your office now from the crc. But now you are going to be just right there. [00:42:25] Speaker B: I know I'll be knocking on your door all the time. [00:42:28] Speaker A: We've had lots of conversations about your kitchen. [00:42:30] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:42:30] Speaker A: And how we might could collab. So our students are very excited. [00:42:34] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:42:34] Speaker D: Oh yeah, I've heard about this. I'm. I love to cook. [00:42:37] Speaker B: Yeah. We can look, we can do some like mindful eating, intuitive eating, healthy relationship with food workshop. Oh. [00:42:43] Speaker C: Anyways, you guys, y' all need a taste test. [00:42:46] Speaker B: Yes. So Nika, you know, I feel like, like you and your faculty folks, y' all will be on our side of campus. So you. [00:42:51] Speaker C: Yeah, I can, I can volunteer myself. [00:42:54] Speaker B: Yes. Absolutely. We're gonna have all the fun. But you guys, it has been a great show today. Thank you again to Natalie and Cece for being on the show. [00:43:02] Speaker A: Thank you so much. Can I plug our social media really quick? Bama Recovery. I told myself I was not going to forget that. Instagram, Facebook. Follow us at Bama recovery. [00:43:13] Speaker B: See, you made good on your promise to yourself. You guys, you heard, you heard at Bama recovery. Follow them. We are so grateful for your time today and until next time, you guys, you have been listening to fit to be tied with sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone. Wvuafm tuscaloosa.