Jumpline magazine OCT 2022-pages - Flipbook - Page 35
by Fred
De Frias
The Phoenix
Group
Fred O. De Frías
Intention of Helping, The Phoenix Group of
Winos, drunks, junkies, boozers, druggies, lushes…all
(derogatory) words used to describe someone who’s experiencing issues with drugs or alcohol abuse. We’ve all heard
them. We’ve possibly used these words to describe some
of our own brothers and sisters in the firehouse. I was no
exception, having used some of these terms myself. I would
not know the true impact these stigmatizing words carried
for many years. It took the loss of one of my best friends to
substance abuse to help me realize just exactly how
powerful addiction can be and the collateral damage that results because of it.
It is easy to criticize and pass judgment
on those things we know very little about,
and as one of the founding members of the
Phoenix Group, I thought I’d share some
of the things I’ve learned over the last few
years from our conversations and moments shared.
Before I became involved with the Phoenix Group, the extent of my knowledge on
alcohol and drug use was limited to theories
and “best practices;” stuff that I was introduced
to in graduate school. I knew about the 12 steps and
other support systems that have been available for many
years. However, I didn’t know anyone who was actively participating in any structured system of recovery at the time.
Fast forward to a few years ago and, again, my perspective
would change.
We formed the Phoenix Group with the intention of helping our brothers and sisters of the fire service who were
struggling with issues of alcohol and drug use. Words like
awareness, courage, perseverance, and compassion came
to describe the conceptual framework that allowed us to do
the work we do. We inscribed these words on our challenge
coin to remind all those that walk the path of recovery about
the transformative power of those words.
Allow me to elaborate what these words have meant to me
during the last few years.
Awareness
It is very difficult, if not impossible, to begin the process of
healing and life improvement if we are not aware that there
is even a concern to address. The type of awareness I am
attempting to describe here is one that’s experienced at a
“granular,” fundamental level, where we are no longer able to
“look the other way” because we have an honest, faithful understanding of how our behaviors
are affecting us and the people we love. I’ve
been fortunate enough to have seen, and continue to see first-hand, the therapeutic value of
this level of awareness and how it translates to
various facets of life. The daily commitment to
this type of understanding is key to ensuring
sobriety and recovery.
Courage
Local 1403
To get up every morning and commit to the necessary mindset and conducive behaviors associated with the recovery
process takes courage. To fight those old ghosts takes courage; the ones that speak of the shame and guilt from past
decisions and behaviors, and yet continue to walk the path
of healing, also takes courage. To own our past, and confront those undesirable traits we possess, takes courage. To
love ourselves, for both the good and the bad, takes courage. But more importantly, to know that we do not have
to be defined by our past, and possess the power
to make better decisions every day, takes courage. I thank you all for exemplifying.
Perseverance
The quality to endure, regardless of the
challenges laid before us. The reminder
that staying committed to life and oneself,
despite challenges and how the world
around us may see us, takes perseverance. To imagine a life where we do not
have to be prisoners of our past, yet remain
fully responsible for how we move forward,
takes perseverance. To accept life, on life’s terms,
and continue to improve ourselves, not just for us, but
for those that rely on us, is to persevere.
Compassion
Compassion is created every time we place ourselves in
the shoes of another person and empathize with their suffering. It is this concept that connects human beings in moments of loss and despair. It is that lifeline we extend to one
another and allows us to heal as a group. It is a reminder that
no one is immune from life circumstances, yet we can come
together to find hope in knowing each other’s journeys. We
are more alike than we know and when we practice compassion, that sentiment reveals itself in the reciprocal healing
and inner strength found in the group.
Awareness, courage, perseverance, and compassion are
all things I have learned by being part of the Phoenix Group.
The commitment members make to themselves, their families, and fellow firefighters is only rivaled by their desire to
help those that are currently suffering from alcohol and/or
drug abuse. I am a better, more complete human being because of my time and conversations shared with the group.
I write this to impart on all readers the therapeutic value
of what we do and to hopefully inspire those that are struggling with alcohol and/or drug abuse to come
by and have a conversation with us. I implore
all of us to practice compassion and reflect on
how we can help one another become agents
of change for our industry and the world in general.
“The Phoenix Group is a gathering of men
and women of the fire service who find hope
and solidarity through honest discussions and
self-reflection”.
phoenixgroup@local1403.org
To be honest with ourselves takes courage.
October 2022 | JUMPLINE Magazine
35
