It dawned on me that not everyone may be familiar with this phrase. In most 12 step programs the term “picking up” means relapsing into an old negative behavior, such as picking up a drink, a drug, junk food etc. whatever you would normally or have in the past used to cope with stress, trauma, life on life’s terms.

Once in recovery, it is often a daily struggle or process for people avoid “picking up” the things that once ailed us. We must be vigilant about safe guarding our recovery at every turn in life and learn to pick up useful and healthy coping mechanisms, such as picking up the phone and calling a friend to talk to, picking up a meeting list and going to a support group, picking up a book that will offer us some guidance etc.

I’ve always said recovery is a learned behavior for those of us who are so use to doing the thing that will harm us the most. Like any learned behavior, we must practice it daily and be reminded of it often.

This book is meant to offer a resource to those in recovery, those who have loved ones in recovery or struggling to find recovery at a time in their lives when they most need help and resources–when they find themselves by not fault of their own, a victim of crime or trauma.

This short and handy resource will not only offer them healing tools and recovery tools, but additionally, vital information to help them cope with trauma, victimization and the systems they may encounter or have to engage as a result. The book highlights victims rights, where to seek assistance in your area, how to initiate your rights and at what point in the criminal or civil justice system and real simple solutions for dealing with the aftermath of trauma.

I hope this book helps you and your loved ones to find solace and recovery at what is and can most likely feel like the worst days of your life. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Jennifer Storm exposes a very real problem facing thousands in recovery today. Being victimized by a crime can be a life-altering, traumatic experience—one that can divert the course of recovery, pitching many back into the throes of addiction.

Rebuilding one’s life after the devastation of a crime or trauma, while avoiding relapse and promoting healing and self-awareness, is not easy. Through guided exercises, journaling, recovery reminders, and other helpful tools, readers will be empowered to move through their victimization with grace and strength.

Picking Up the Pieces without Picking Up offers a caring voice and expert guidance for those struggling with victimization and addiction, and also serves as a valuable resource for professionals in the treatment field, the criminal justice system, and the counseling arena.

“Hats off to Jennifer Storm for creating an educational tool that is both insightful and inspiring. She takes difficult subject matter and makes it relatable and meaningful to readers, nurturing and applauding their progress all throughout.”–Kim Goldman, New York Times Bestselling Author and Victims’ Advocate

Q & A with Jennifer Storm

Why did you write Picking Up the Pieces without Picking Up?

I wrote this book because there currently exists nothing like it on the market. There are no resources that walk a person through the criminal justice process and the healing journey, all while addressing co-occuring issues of substance abuse. I wanted to take what I do on a day-to-day basis in my work as an executive director of a victims services organization and put it in print. Books have always been my go-to resources, especially when I am not ready to talk to someone or reach out yet, so I wanted this guidebook to be available on bookshelves for people to access.
What makes this book unique?

There is not a workbook like this on the market—not one that addresses all of the issues I address in one clear and easy-to-read book. I make this book very concise, as to not add to the overwhelming nature of trauma and the effects it can have on a person. As a survivor and person in recovery, I have looked to guidebooks to aid me on my journey, and I have had to turn to multiple books to find all of the information I have included in this book.

Additionally, most “healing workbooks” I found were large and overwhelming just to pick up. I literally and figuratively felt the weight of these books, so I wanted to provide something more simple but effective.

How does Picking Up the Pieces without Picking Up address recovery?

In many instances, trauma and/or victimization is at the core of a person’s addiction and abuse history. For me, secrets kept me sick, and finding ways to heal from the reasons I used was a foundational piece of my long-term recovery. I truly believe that people who don’t fully address the “why” of their addiction are at a high risk for relapse.

Who is your target audience for this book?

All crime victims or witnesses and their loved ones who wish to heal from their experiences and maintain their recovery while doing so. Also, counselors, therapist, advocates, and anyone who works with victims to help them heal and recover will find this to be a book they will recommend or give to clients as an effective recovery tool.

Hope to see you somewhere in my travels!

Please join me for an exciting live chat over at www.thesecondroad.org for the LIVE SUNDAY CHATS! I will be hosting this Sunday at 8:00PM talking all about my book and all things recovery which during this time of the year with hte holidays creeping up like a nasty wedgy–there is no better time to come together!

I hope to see you there :)

If you’re around today tune into Equality Arizona Radio program as I will be on the air live for a full hour!

Saturday from 10:00am – 11:00am (PT) for Equality Arizona Radio.  Listen live at 1480 KPHX in Metro Phoenix or throughout Arizona (and the country) streaming live on the web!  Click the blue button to listen up!

If you want to join the conversation during the live show call 602-258-8800 in Metro Phoenix; outside the area call 800-989-1480.  You can send questions to be answered on air to radio@equalityarizona.org.

The crisp air and hint of color on the leaves is making my heart warm with thoughts of hooded sweatshirts and slush and scratch of leaves at my feet. As much as I complain about living on the East Coast with all its pollen and sinus glory…I wouldn’t trade the change of seasons for anything. The way Mother Nature comes in and cleans house every so often is one of the greatest gifts to behold. As she gently blows cool air into the warmth of summer and harvests the earth making everything bright in her wake is such a beauty to encounter. Fall is hands-down my favorite time in the calendar year. I do hope we have a nice long fall this year. Pennsylvania has had a tendency as of late to rush into each season without the ability to savor.

I personally don’t want to see a snow flake until early December and then I want at least one of those intense and crazy blankets of old-school Pennsylvania white to cover the entire state for a good three to four days. I want the world to stop and nobody to leave there home until the storm passes. Cuddle up against wooded fires with loved ones and laugh and enjoy each other.

I just came back from Louisville Kentucky where aside from my aching head each day from a higher pollen count than PA—I had an amazing time! I was at the annual NOVA Conference or North American Victims Assistance Conference. www. trynova. org to learn more of this great organization. It was a great time to see old faces and friends and to meet new ones. Thank you to all who came to my workshop on writing. It was an honor and joy to meet each of you on your personal journey of healing and writing. I was so overwhelmed by the strength of the people I met…rape survivors, homicide survivors all looking, seeking and yes, finding our purposes together. Learning together how to turn tragedy into triumph. To take the worst and make the best out of it. To find our inner strength, our voices—together. To see the actual place and time one goes from victim to survivor to thriver is a beauty in and of itself. Thank you for sharing your pain and hope with me. Thank you for rejuvenating me and my spirit. Thank you for reinforcing Gods purpose in my life for me.

Today I prepare for a visit from my parents and I couldn’t be happier at the mature closeness and relationship I have with them today. My immediate family is so small and in that–fragile in my mind. Every moment I get, I savor.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and take time out to enjoy the change in season even if you aren’t on the east coast there is still definitely change in the air in multiple ways.
Take time to stop and watch the magnificence at work…

Sunday August 17th, 2008
Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Opening Ceremonies Speaker followed by Meet & Greet
Cedar Beach, Allentown PA
12:00 – 6:00PM
http://www.prideglv.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=150