A Look at BrightQuest Nashville’s Recovery Program

We sat down with BrightQuest Nashville’s Recovery Specialist, Sterling Gibson, CPRS, to learn more about the Recovery Program offered at our Tennessee location. This Q&A offers insight into the ways that BrightQuest’s community provides a structured and supportive space for clients who are also managing co-occurring substance use. 

One of the things that stands out about BrightQuest Nashville is the opportunity to practice recovery while living within a supportive community. Why is that real-world practice so important? 

In the BrightQuest Program, our community members have the opportunity to integrate into the broader world at a safe, supportive, and largely self-directed pace. What this means in practice is that, as our community members progress through the program, they have a level of support that meets their specific needs. For example, a community member in residential care will have access to staff-supported recovery meetings to ensure safety and a level of comfort as they explore various recovery fellowships. As they progress, they will be encouraged to take the initiative to engage more independently. 

This independent engagement is important because our community members will not be with BrightQuest forever. When individuals leave our care, it is important that they have all of the necessary resources in place. In terms of recovery, these resources often take the form of peer-led recovery fellowships such as a sponsor or a home group. Having this support in place helps to facilitate a seamless, safe, and effective integration into life outside of treatment. 

What are some everyday situations where clients get to practice the coping and recovery skills they are learning? 

One of the most common situations our community members experience is integration into more social situations. This may include things like going to dinner at a restaurant, attending a concert, or even going to the grocery store. Many of these situations place community members around alcohol, and some might even expose them to illicit substances or risky situations. These experiences pose unique challenges to individuals in recovery and require careful consideration. Our community members spend time experiencing the world alongside staff and peer support, exposing them to real-world triggers while practicing coping skills. Their experiences can then be brought into a group or individual space for review, allowing members to find out for themselves which skills may be most effective, and which situations should be avoided. 

Why is connection with people outside of treatment important to long-term recovery? 

There is a common saying in recovery communities, “The opposite of addiction is connection.” Substance- and behavioral-based addiction often lead individuals to lose relationships, become increasingly isolated, and ultimately feel disconnected from the world around them. This is especially true for individuals with co-occurring disorders and can be a painful and traumatic experience. Recovery means building a new life and that doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Connection is a powerful part of the human experience. When individuals can find a place where they feel comfortable being themselves, a tribe of their own, it helps to build a foundation for lasting recovery. 

A growing body of evidence strongly supports the idea that the most important part of recovery is community. While working a recovery program is helpful, the true magic of recovery is found in the experience of connecting with other people; it is about building a found family and re-learning what it means to feel safe. As has been said, “this is a WE program.” 

What is one misconception about addiction and mental illness that you wish more people understood? 

I think a big misconception about co-occurring disorders is that the traditional approach of emphasizing education and motivation is not always the most effective way of doing things. Something I have learned in my time at BrightQuest Nashville is that, especially when treating co-occurring substance use and thought disorders, insight and tangible goal-planning is often the most important factor. What this looks like in practice is a more measured, thoughtful approach to recovery, where symptom management is emphasized, and expectations are tailored to the capability of the person in the moment, with gradual steps being celebrated.  

This ties in to perhaps the biggest misconception people may have; that relapse is a form of failure. Recovery is not a linear process for anyone, and for individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders, relapse in one area often triggers relapse in other areas. For example, a recurrence of mental health symptoms may precipitate a return to active use as a means of self-medicating, or vice-versa. This means that we need to tailor our goals and our expectations to the individual and to understand that success is a moving target, with quality of life being the goal. 

How do you help clients develop structure, accountability, and relapse prevention skills? 

Upon receiving their initial call, our team begins working with the whole individual in mind. Our team works to gather a detailed history prior to admission. This allows us to assess each new client and assign services most appropriate to their needs. When someone enters the Recovery Program at BrightQuest Nashville, they are supported with dedicated group therapy sessions, forming the first layer of community in their recovery journey. When clinically appropriate, individuals may be assigned recovery case management to better support individual needs.  

As part of the Recovery Program, participants will be supported by developing a personalized recovery meeting structure which will support accountability as they begin to attend recovery meetings. All participants in the Recovery Program are supported with developing a personalized relapse prevention plan, whether in group or in individual sessions. This plan will identify and name specific triggers, coping strategies, and protective factors, among other things. In the event of a relapse, the broader clinical team works together to conceptualize situation-specific interventions tailored to the individual’s needs. 

What do you hope clients take with them when they leave BrightQuest Nashville? 

My hope is that our community members will leave the program feeling hopeful, connected, and most importantly will have developed the skills and resources necessary to build a healthy, happy “life worth living.” 

What is different about the BrightQuest Nashville program which distinguishes it from more traditional mental health treatment programs? 

One of the most important parts of the BrightQuest Nashville program is that we understand and support clients as they integrate into community recovery programs; places which may not be the most understanding about the unique challenges faced by members of our community. We provide support for an individual who may need to step out of a meeting due to an increase in symptomology. We can help community members identify which recovery meetings may be the most welcoming and where they feel most comfortable. This support can make the difference between someone trying and failing to find a place in a local recovery fellowship and someone who finds their place in a recovery community.