The Light Ahead
Sober + Strong
The Light Ahead is a no cost compassionate, stigma free pathway for sober, sober curious nurses and those enrolled in volunteer or mandated diversion programs.
WHAT WE OFFER
The Light Ahead is an intimate group of nurses nurturing their sobriety. Our community hosts 8 - 20 nurses at any given time, providing space for nurses to explore sobriety from alcohol, prescription medications, benzos, stimulants, psychedelics and marijuana.
As a result of the generous donors of our community, membership is no cost and includes daily sober check-in’s via the telegram app and a monthly support group.
The Light Ahead is facilitated by Kacie, night shift nurse of 20 years living an alcohol free life.
Judgement Free Support
Experience community and care from nurses navigating addiction and sobriety together.
Debriefing the Front Lines has no state mandated reporting obligations - you are safe here.
Whether you are
Already sober - be it just starting out or celebrating years of recovery
Curious about sobriety from alcohol, benzos, stimulants or marijuana
All are welcome.
Meet Your Sober Self
Join The Light Ahead
Participate at a level that feels comfortable to you
Daily sober check in’s via telegram
Monthly support group
Surround yourself with a community celebrating with you
Celebrate big + small wins
Acknowledgement and validation to remind your of your ability
Focus on emotional regulation versus emotional repression that leads to unhealthy coping behaviors
Experience the power of being heard
Create healthier habits that align with your authentic self
Meet your deepest self that was asleep during binge using and addiction
Rewrite your narrative
Break intergenerational patterns of addictions
IF TRAUMA IS CUMULATIVE SO IS HEALING
We as a collective profession
share dark humored memes surrounding maladaptive coping mechanisms. We are screaming for help while simultaneously laughing together because only nurses know what nurses see.
Our profession has normalized break room conversations that start with "I need a drink," post (night) shift mimosa, self medicating somatic aches and pains and relying on benzos and a variety of OTC cocktails to rest.
The intense pressure of being responsible for the well-being of others is overwhelming and this stress is exacerbated by inadequate support and unsafe working conditions within our hospital systems. Studies have shown that chronic stress enhances substance use and is a major risk factor for the development of addiction. (American Addiction Centers, 2021)
The burden of the pandemic atop an already stress-laden hospital environment only worsened pre-existing compassion fatigue, cumulative care taking trauma and the feeling of being simultaneously overworked and undervalued.
Many of us are also navigating personal trauma(s) that have been exacerbated by our intense work as nurses.
Meet Your Facilitator
Kacie Salas
BSN, RN, NC-BC
Debriefing Facilitator and Director of Sobriety Support
Kacie is an OG night shift nurse of 20 years specializing in rural healthcare. She currently works part time as a break nurse at a critical access hospital in Northern California and part time with Debriefing the Front Lines.
When Kacie isn’t working nights, she’s homeschooling her 3 boys, active in her community co-op, nurturing her sobriety and chasing her chickens! 🐓
Kacie shares “relapse is a part of my story - addiction is isolating. It’s through connection with others I’ve gained freedom from loneliness and shame.”
Meet Jessica
“I came across DTFL when I was white-knuckling sobriety. I felt alone, isolated and out of place in other sobriety groups. I applied for and received a scholarship - it was such a relief. Through DTFL I’ve built relationships with other nurses in a similar boat and received so much support. I recently joined the Diversion Prevention Committee at my place of employment in an effort to support my colleagues who struggle with addiction.”
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Join The Light Ahead Sobriety Support
Moments That Move Us
A glimpse into our community events, retreats, and collaborations.
Some of our community members we connect with online, others we meet in person at our events - every interaction tells a story of connection, courage and care shared among nurses across the county.
