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As Suicide Prevention Month begins, Milwaukee author and advocate Tashemia Dean shares her powerful story of overcoming addiction and her mission to support others in recovery. Dean, the founder of Fight Anxiety, Addiction and Adversity Corporation, recently spoke with Tarik Moody on the HYFINated Conversations podcast about her new book, “Cheers to Sobriety: Navigating Social Pressures, Finding Resilience and Crafting a Healthier Lifestyle.“
Dean’s journey to sobriety began on September 2, 2022, after years of struggling with anxiety and substance use disorder. Her story underscores the critical intersection between mental health and addiction, revealing the depths of her struggle and the strength required to overcome it.
“I dealt with a lot of suicidal thoughts,” Dean revealed, her voice carrying the weight of her experiences. The gravity of her situation became painfully clear when she reached a crisis point. “I actually had thoughts of actually taking a full bottle of pills and not waking up. And if I had that in my home, I would have done that,” she confessed.
This stark admission highlights the life-threatening nature of her battle with addiction and mental health issues. This harrowing moment became a turning point for Dean, forcing her to confront the reality of her situation and seek help.
“At that moment, I knew that I needed assistance. I needed help. I could not do it on my own,” Dean explained. This realization led her to make the difficult decision to seek treatment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a choice that would ultimately save her life and set her on the path to recovery.
The treatment journey was not easy. “I literally had to surrender in order to get there,” she said, describing the challenges of leaving her familiar environment to focus on recovery. This step required tremendous courage, as Dean had to overcome not only her addiction but also the fear of change and the unknown.
During her three-week stay at the treatment center, Dean experienced a profound transformation. She spoke of the various therapeutic tools, including sound therapy, art therapy, and group exercises. One particularly powerful moment came when participants were asked to confront their hidden selves in a mirror exercise. “I remember just breaking down and crying, and I ran out of the room,” Dean recounted, illustrating the intense emotional work involved in recovery.
Dean’s book, “Cheers to Sobriety,” offers insights into maintaining sobriety in social settings and includes non-alcoholic drink recipes. Her approach challenges the notion that sobriety means isolation or boredom. “Sobriety doesn’t have to be boring,” Dean emphasized. “You can be in those environments, but setting those boundaries is very important.”
The book also delves into the author’s personal anecdotes and strategies for navigating social situations without alcohol. Dean shared how she now creates plans and sets expectations for herself before attending events, which helps manage her social anxiety without relying on alcohol. “I give myself a job,” she explained, demonstrating how focus and purpose can replace the perceived need for liquid courage.
Reflecting on her journey, Dean expressed a profound realization: “If I knew life would’ve been this great, I probably would’ve stopped a long time ago.” She spoke of the clarity and presence she now experiences, able to fully engage with and remember life’s moments, both big and small.
Dean is embarking on a “Cheers to Sobriety September Book Crawl Tour” across Milwaukee to celebrate the book’s release. The tour, which kicked off on September 5th at Agency Bar and Social, showcases establishments that offer non-alcoholic beverage options. This innovative approach promotes Dean’s book and highlights businesses that create inclusive spaces for non-drinkers.
Through her non-profit, Fight Anxiety, Addiction, and Adversity Corporation, Dean provides a range of services to support those in recovery and struggling with mental health issues. The organization offers recovery coaching and peer support and organizes events like “Dry Crawls” to create inclusive social spaces for those in recovery.
“We provide resources to individuals who deal with anxiety, addiction, and adversity,” Dean explained. “And that’s pretty much everyone.” Her holistic approach recognizes that these issues often intersect and affect a broad spectrum of the population.
In addition to recovery support, Dean’s non-profit conducts suicide prevention and Narcan training, addressing the broader spectrum of mental health and addiction issues. These initiatives are particularly crucial given the rising rates of suicide and substance abuse in many communities.
During the interview, Dean addressed the concerning trend of high suicide rates among young Black males. She emphasized the importance of open communication and positive role models in addressing this crisis.
“We have to recognize those signs,” she urged, calling for more proactive engagement with youth struggling with mental health issues. Dean pointed to several factors contributing to this issue, including a lack of visible male leaders, the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community, and the tendency to hide family struggles.
“A lot of it stems from fear,” Dean explained, discussing how generational patterns of silence and suppression can exacerbate mental health issues. She advocated for breaking these patterns through open dialogue and “getting in people’s business” – actively engaging with loved ones about their emotional well-being.
Dean’s advocacy extends to promoting non-alcoholic beverage options in social settings. She sees the growing trend of mocktails and non-alcoholic spirits as a positive development, creating more inclusive environments for those who choose not to drink.
“Mocktails kind of create that space where you’re included in the conversation, you’re included in the event, and you’re not singled out,” Dean said. She emphasized that this inclusivity benefits not only those in recovery but also pregnant women, individuals on certain medications, and anyone choosing to moderate their alcohol intake.
The author’s book includes non-alcoholic drink recipes, which she describes as “recreated around those drinks that I used to indulge in and drink back in the day.” This approach allows individuals in recovery to participate in social drinking rituals without consuming alcohol.
Dean has ambitious plans for the future as she continues her recovery and advocacy journey. She envisions expanding her non-profit to include an urgent care clinic for immediate mental health and addiction support. “We’re just trying to do one thing at a time, but there’s so much that can be done around when it comes to fighting anxiety, addiction, adversity,” she shared.
Dean also plans to continue writing, sharing recovery stories, and organizing wellness events like this upcoming Brunch and Scenic Trails event. She mentioned the possibility of jazz music events combined with coloring activities, reflecting her personal experience of finding solace in music during difficult times.
Throughout the interview, Dean’s message was one of hope and empowerment. Her journey demonstrates that recovery is possible and that a life of sobriety can be rich, fulfilling, and socially engaging. “You can live a normal life, being in sobriety,” she affirmed.
For those seeking support or interested in Dean’s work, her book “Cheers to Sobriety: Navigating Social Pressures, Finding Resilience and Crafting a Healthier Lifestyle” is available on Amazon. Information about her non-profit and upcoming events can be found online.
As Suicide Prevention Month continues, Dean’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of addressing mental health and addiction issues openly and compassionately. Her work not only offers support to those in recovery but also challenges societal norms around alcohol consumption, promoting a more inclusive and understanding community for all.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please know that you’re not alone and help is available. Reach out to these resources for immediate support:
Remember, your life matters. These confidential, free, and 24/7 services can provide support, information, and local resources. Don’t hesitate to reach out—trained professionals are ready to listen and help without judgment.
Trust your instincts if you’re concerned about a friend or loved one. Reach out to them, listen without judgment, and help them connect with professional support.
No one has to face these feelings alone. There is hope, and with help, you can feel better.
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