Alexandra Chamizo is the Executive Director of Sovereignty in Sobriety, she writes:

My journey of addiction is one that began before I was born.  It has rippled through generations of my family on both sides, leading to death and traumatic upbringings.  At a young age, substances and self-harm became my defense mechanism, my way of remaining in this world without having to bear the pain constantly.  In that way, substances saved my life until it became the thing that could take me out in this life.  After several years of trying to get sober, in the depths of my soul, I knew I couldn’t continue a life with drugs and alcohol as they no longer worked as a coping skill.

Taking the leap into recovery can be terrifying. Most of us don’t know all the options and pathways that are available to recovering our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

I saw a need for different perspectives and solutions in recovery from substance misuse and mental health issues.  I saw the need to bridge the gap so marginalized communities and people in poverty have access to holistic practices and information.  Since being sober, I have studied and worked with trauma and holistic practitioners for my own healing journey. It then turned into sharing these healing skills with others who are suffering. I believe that our healing process can truly be a catalyst for post-traumatic growth and spiritual transformation.  I strive to offer the support and radical empathy I need in my own journey and that we are all deeply deserving of. 

Sovereignty in Sobriety was created two years ago on a sliding scale for the Denver community. We are rooted in collaborative healing techniques centering the individuals and originating from a place of understanding and shared lived experience. 

I have witnessed an optimistic shift in participants' perspectives and approaches to healing in their recovery from substance misuse and mental health.  The holistic practices this program provides support participants' resilience and autonomy in their recovery.   These services are also guided in a way for people to be able to share within their own families and communities, creating deeper and more meaningful connections that can transcend through generations. Many traumas occur in relationships, so we aim to heal within relationships to self and others through community based practices.