New recovery program to offer support in Aspen

Recovery Dharma is offering free support for the Aspen and Roaring Fork Valley communities for the first time, providing a resource tailored to those struggling with addiction, in continuing recovery, or looking to let go of what no longer serves their mental health.

Those searching for peace and freedom from trauma, drugs, alcohol, and addictions, like gambling, porn, social media, shopping, and more, can try out the mainstream recovery model’s guided meditation, breath-work, and discussion beginning 5:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 18, at Paepcke Park, 198 E Hopkins Ave. All bus routes going through Aspen that serve the Roaring Fork Valley stop at the Paepcke Park station. 

Recovery Dharma is based on Buddhist principles of mindfulness, meditation, and internal strength and control, according to JT Rodriguez, who started the Aspen group and will be a facilitator of meetings. The program is not limited to religious affiliation or to those overcoming substance use disorders — everyone is welcome to sit in on the meditations and breath-work practices to get comfortable with discomfort and build an understanding of healthy boundaries.

“It’s a really great resource for anyone looking to let go of anything that no longer serves them,” said Rodriguez. “You learn how to sit with difficult emotions. You hold it, and you don’t try to push it away, you don’t try to run … you’re looking within to see, ‘Where have I caused harm, where can I be better?'”

As someone who has lived in Aspen for years and whose primary recovery model is Recovery Dharma, Rodriguez has seen firsthand the significant local need for mental health service expansion and recovery support.

“Aspen is a totally different animal,” Rodriguez said. “My drinking went way up when I moved to the valley. It’s everywhere, and it’s normalized. And alcohol isn’t the only problem. I’ve never seen anything like it. There’s a real need (for Recovery Dharma) here in Aspen.”

The aim of Recovery Dharma is to acknowledge suffering and find the understanding that each individual has the ability to choose how they react to their personal challenges. 

“There’s a choice element here,” Rodriguez said. “This program at its core is your reaction to pain or cravings or addiction or whatever doesn’t serve you, and how you react to it is a choice. The meditation and mindfulness practices give you deeper awareness of what’s going on inside you.” 

Malia Williams, behavioral health specialist at Recovery Resources Aspen, is also aiming to offer a yoga class 30 minutes before the Recovery Dharma meeting at Paepcke Park. Her goal is to provide those attending the meditation and discussion with an opportunity to “settle into our bodies” beforehand, according to Williams.

Rodriguez emphasized that Recovery Dharma is especially helpful at creating a space to identify the differences between a feeling (like a craving), a thought, and an action. There’s also a focus on the more positive side of experiences — the gratitude.

“Gratitude is at the core of the program,” Rodriguez said. “Gratitude is the medicine.” 

Until now, Recovery Dharma has only been offered on the Western Slope in Gunnison. It can also be combined with other recovery models such as 12 Step and SMART Recovery.

“You can dive in as deep or as shallow as you want,” Rodriguez said. “It’s not such an aggressive approach. A lot of peace comes from these meetings.”

For more information, email aspendharma@gmail.com or visit recoverydharma.org.