Edie Bass

HALO MISSIONS RESEARCH

The agency I decided to work with is Halo Missions, “a non-profit, vocational rehabilitation service located here in Nashville, Tennessee, [where] women in different stages of addiction recovery are taught how to handcraft jewelry made from recycled and reused guitar strings as a form of art therapy” (HALO Missions). Halo Missions addresses addiction as a whole, but more specifically in women. Halo Missions addresses addiction and sustainability in efforts to decrease the carbon footprint of themselves and others. Preceding my work with Halo Missions, I had several research questions I wanted to answer regarding addiction and sustainability, locally and nationally.

What are the primary causes of addiction?

Before working with those in addiction, I felt I had to understand the causes of addiction to become educated before discussing addiction. In addition, I wanted to be sensitive to what I was speaking about with the women as we discussed our stories, whether it be our own or something experienced with someone we know. There is no single cause of addiction. It is vital to acknowledge that several different factors cause addiction to understand addiction. Through my research, I have determined three primary causes of addiction; genetics, our environment, and the brain and body. The Nature vs. Nurture debate is highly relevant to understanding addiction as well. The atmosphere in which people are raised affects mental health and physical wellbeing. Therefore, the reasoning for someone’s addiction can be explained by what they have experienced and/or the environment they were raised in. For example, if drug and/or substance abuse is common in a home, it becomes normalized. The socalled “positive” effects can be observed from a child’s perspective, such as euphoria, partying, and having fun. In turn, the child’s brain creates a link between happiness and substance use, giving an incentive to mimic the behavior(The Dawn).

Next, the brain and body play a vital role in the disease of addiction, specifically regarding dopamine. This neurotransmitter signals happiness to your brain and tells it to be repeated. Eating, shopping, and being with loved ones all trigger dopamine release due to the pleasure it brings. Drugs and alcohol similarly release dopamine. However, it is unnatural. When an individual continues to take a drug, the brain becomes overwhelmed with dopamine surges and, in turn, starts producing less of it on its own. At this point, physical dependence becomes present. This occurs when users have overridden their natural dopamine factory and now need to continue drinking alcohol to produce dopamine.

Regrding staying hooked on a drug, withdrawal is another bodily effect of drug use. It is the body’s way of communicating that drugs and alcohol are needed for survival which is entirely untrue. Withdrawal occurs differently in everybody, which I will discuss later. (The Dawn).

The link between genetics and addiction remains a topic of robust debate. Reports have found that 40% to 60% of predisposition to addiction results from genetics. The children of individuals who suffer from addiction have a 25% greater likelihood of developing habits than children of non-addicted parents. (The Dawn). Having extreme addictions in my family makes it scary to know I am 25% more susceptible to becoming addicted to something myself. However, I have learned loads of information regarding addiction through Ensworth seminar courses, and I believe my Ensworth curriculum has set me up to avoid becoming addicted to something. Furthermore, beyond genetics, gender plays a role in determining the likeness of addiction.

How does addiction differ between men and women?

Of course, Halo Missions supports all people in their recoveries; however, they have generally focused more on women. While men usually have been found to have higher addiction rates than women, a recent study presented by the American Psychological Association suggests other vital differences worth investigating. Women begin substance use at smaller dosages than men usually do. However, their drug use escalates into addiction much more rapidly than men’s. (The Dawn). For most age groups, men have higher use or dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol than women. However, women are just as likely as men to develop a substance use disorder. In addition, women may be more susceptible to craving and relapse, which are key phases of the addiction cycle. (NIDA)

What are the challenges faced by those in recovery? While speaking with the women involved in the Halo Missions program, I learned about the daily challenges faced as addicts. I’ve learned that completing a drug and alcohol rehab program and entering society as a new, sober individual is extremely difficult. Understanding the common challenges of those in recovery provided a clearer insight into a life in recovery and how rehabilitation programs are designed to address these issues.

When speaking with women about their recovery, the main challenges I heard were developing new coping strategies, building new relationships and repairing old ones, relapsing, and finding purpose. Becoming sober is much more than not using drugs and alcohol. It’s about creating a new lifestyle fit for your recovery. Before recovery, substance abuse acts as a central coping mechanism for stress and anxiety. In rehab, addicts must learn to develop new coping strategies to deal with the anxiety and cravings. People in recovery are often challenged to deal with trauma and shame without addictive substances. The addicts establish a new sense of normalcy that is challenging and time-consuming (NOVA). Another challenge faced by the women I spoke with is having relationships that provide love, friendship, support, and hope for the future. Often addiction can be destructive of relationships. It was in my life. While in rehab, those in recovery are asked to make amends with loved ones hurt while actively abusing drugs and alcohol (NOVA). The third challenge that was often brought up in discussion was relapse. When someone completes a recovery program,

many people think that their journey is complete. However, the success of recovery is lifelong and the battle is never ending. Relapse is one of the biggest challenges many addicts in recovery face during and after rehab. Anxiety, cravings, stress, and old acquaintances are all a threat to recovery success (NOVA). Approximately 40% to 60% of addicts inevitably relapse so it’s fairly common. These numbers do not represent the group of individuals who have completed rehab, it also represents the group of people who are still in recovery. A final challenge commonly heard when speaking to women in recovery is the challenge of discovering a purpose in life. After drug and alcohol rehab, it is found that many people lack purpose. The harsh reality is that before rehab, drugs and alcohol are an addict’s life. One way that rehab addresses this is by introducing them to new hobbies such as meditation, yoga, music and art (NOVA). Halo Missions directly addresses this challenge by providing a form of art therapy to those in recovery. Women create various types of jewelry to address this challenge.

How does art act as a form of therapy?

The area in the brain that is responsible for processing emotions is called the amygdala. In addition, the amygdala also processes imagery as well as sensory input. When humans become overwhelmed, sleep, appetite, relationships, learning, motivation and productivity can also be affected. Humans also tend to avoid their emotions when becoming overwhelmed. Attempts to avoid negative emotions can result in maladaptive behaviors and coping strategies, for example, substance abuse can impede personal success and quality of life. Since the emotions as well as sensory input occur in the amygdala, the latter two can be leveraged to help better understand their emotions as well as support their ability to regulate them. As individuals become more effective and confident in regulating emotions, overwhelmness decreases. The urge to avoid negative emotions also decreases. This, in turn, decreases reliance on maladaptive behaviors and coping strategies such as substance abuse, decreasing the likeliness of addiction (Ayotte). Art therapy not only helps with addiction. It also helps with ADD, ADHD, Autism, Learning Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, Relationship Issues, Trauma/PTSD, Mental Illness, Alzheimers, Dementia, Transitions, Divorce, Grief, Spirituality, and LGBTQ support (Ayotte). By learning about art therapy, I have tried to implement hands-on type activities in my own life to ease stress. When I was stressed, I worked on making jewelry for Halo Missions. Everything about it just felt good. I was expressing myself through creating jewelry while also benefiting more than myself. It was something I was passionate about. After my time with them, I have continued to embroider, which I haven’t done since seventh grade. Overall, it has benefited my mental health. Anyone who experiences stress, pain, etc. can use this practice. Since everyone does experience these things, art therapy can be beneficial to everyone. What are other ways people can reduce their carbon footprint if they are not interested in making jewelry, or want to decrease their carbon footprint even more?

Like said before, Halo Missions addresses the issue of sustainability by hand making jewelry, ultimately decreasing their carbon footprint if the jewelry were to have been produced in a factory. In order to understand the ways to decrease a carbon footprint, it is important to address what is a carbon footprint.

Greenhouse gasses are emitted through the production of consumption of goods and services. Carbon footprint is a concept used to quantify the impact of an activity, a person, or a country on climate change. So what, you may be asking yourself. The world’s seven billion people consume varying amounts of the planet’s resources. According to the United Nations predictions, the global population could reach 9.7 billion people by 2050, and over 11 billion by 2100. Growing populations drive up emissions, depleting the planet’s resources. Increased greenhouse gas emissions have a direct impact on global warming. It accelerates climate change with disastrous effects on the planet. Everyone present on earth is able, and should contribute to fighting global warming by making climate-friendly choices in their daily lives (Hermant). Small changes can make an extreme difference in the long run.

When it comes to food, you can consume local and seasonal products, limit meat consumption, bring reusable shopping bags when shopping and make sure you only buy what you need in order to avoid waste. Regarding clothing, taking good care of your clothes, buying second hand, and buying responsibly made clothes e.g. made from recycled material or with an eco-label can also decrease one’s carbon footprint. Transportation wise, your carbon footprint can be decreased by cycling, using public transportation, and being conscious of how often you drive. Finally, it is possible to decrease your carbon footprint regarding energy consumption and waste. Even just turning down the heat in your house by one degree will already make a difference. Limiting water consumption by taking short showers, and turning off the water while brushing your teeth or cleaning dishes also helps. (Hermant). At the end of the day, there is something for everyone and everyone is capable of decreasing their carbon footprint and making an environmental impact.

How is the United States working to decrease global warming?

President Biden has announced that the United States is working towards decreasing net greenhouse gas pollution by approximately fifty percent from 2005 to 2030. On day one, Biden fulfilled his promise by rejoining the Paris Agreement and set a course for the United States to tackle the climate crisis, not only at home but also abroad, reaching net-zero emissions economy wide by no later than 2050. As part of re-entering the Paris Agreement, Biden has also launched a whole-ofgovernment process, organized through his National Climate Task Force, to establish this new 2030 emissions target – known as the “nationally determined contribution” or “NDC,” a formal submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (White House). This just acts as one of the many ways the United States is addressing climate change.

How is the Halo Missions product specialized for those in Nashville, Tennessee?

Halo Missions not only supports women in their recovery process but does so in a sustainable and eco-responsible way (Halo Missions). Each of the guitar strings used to craft rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings are donated by artists, guitar shops, and other donors. If these guitar strings weren’t donated, they would go into

the garbage and be taken to a landfill. Instead, Halo Missions can transform used guitar strings into beautiful pieces of jewelry. Since the jewelry created is handmade in the homes of women in the program, the carbon footprint of Halo Missions is significantly smaller than if they were to operate a factory where the jewelry was being made by machines using the materials.

With all this being said, Nashville is one of the best locations for Halo Missions to thrive. Over the last couple of years, Nashville’s music scene has elevated itself into international recognition due to the music business’s density and creative guitar pickers. The music industry lives in Nashville; it’s not called music city for a reason. (The Record) Therefore, creating a guitar string jewelry business in Nashville is genius because there will be many more donors and many more sources of what makes the product—recycled guitar strings.

I have learned that although it may not be the same way, everyone can make a difference. I made a difference by creating the jewelry and spreading my knowledge to others. However, I was also able to make a difference remotely, which has reassured me that I am capable of much more than I thought I was and broadened the knowledge of my abilities. I also have been more conscious of being sustainable. Hearing about the goals of Halo Missions has inspired me to pursue environmental science regarding sustainability. Finally, through speaking to those who have faced addiction in their lives, I have been able to further my understanding of those around me facing similar challenges. By gaining a greater understanding, I have strengthened my relationships with these individuals, learning to be sensitive to their challenges.

WORKS CITED Ayote, Melissa. “Art Therapy: How It Works.” Sams Fans, 20 Sept. 2018, samsfans.org/arttherapy-how-it-works/#:~:text=An%20art%20therapist%20uses%20art,narrative%20 around%20an%20overwhelming%20experience. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022. “FACT SHEET: President Biden Sets 2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target Aimed at Creating Good-Paying Union Jobs and Securing U.S. Leadership on Clean Energy

Technologies.” The White House, 22 Apr. 2021, www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/ statements-releases/2021/04/22/fact-sheet-president-biden-sets-2030-greenhouse-gaspollution-reduction-target-aimed-at-creating-good-paying-union-jobs-and-securing-u-sleadership-on-clean-energy-technologies/#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20can%20 reduce,forward%20very%20low%20carbon%20new%2D. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022. “4 Major Causes of Addiction: Beyond the Three-Factor Model.” The Dawn, 9 Oct. 2017, thedawnrehab.com/blog/major-causes-of-addiction/. Accessed 23 Feb. 2022. Hermant, Bernard. “How to reduce my carbon footprint?” European Union, 9 July 2021, europa. eu/youth/get-involved/sustainable-development/how-reduce-my-carbon-footprint_en.

Accessed 24 Feb. 2022. The Record. therecordshopnashville.com/artists-move-nashville-now/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022. Sex and Gender Differences in Substance Abuse. 13 Apr. 2021, nida.nih.gov/publications/ research-reports/substance-use-in-women/sex-gender-differences-in-substanceuse#:~:text=For%20most%20age%20groups%2C%20men,and%20alcohol%20than%20 do%20women.&text=However%2C%20women%20are%20just%20as,develop%20a%20 substance%20use%20disorder.&text=In%20addition%2C%20women%20may%20 be,phases%20of%20the%20addiction%20cycle. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022. Sheets, Hannah. “7 Common Challenges People Face in Addiction Recovery.” NOVA Recovery

Center, 2 Mar. 2018, novarecoverycenter.com/recovery/7-common-challenges-people-faceaddiction-recovery/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022.

Thorbjorsen, Kristen, editor. HALO Missions. 2015, www.halomissions.com/#/. Accessed 23

Feb. 2022. TPOT. “How Common is Relapse After Rehab, and How Can It Be Avoided?” Turning Point of

Tampa, 4 Nov. 2019, www.tpoftampa.com/how-common-is-relapse-after-rehab-and-howcan-it-be-avoided/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022.

REFLECTION: EDIE BASS

HALO MISSIONS REFLECTION

When given the opportunity at Ensworth to be a service scholar, I knew exactly what agency I wanted to work with. My sister Polly, an alumni at Ensworth, had been working for an agency called Halo Missions when I was deciding where I wanted to volunteer. “Halo Missions is a non-profit, vocational rehabilitation service located here in Nashville, Tennessee [where] women in different stages of addiction recovery are taught how to handcraft jewelry made from recycled and reused guitar strings as a form of art therapy” (HALO Missions). The HALO, in the name, stands for Helping And Leading Others. While also considering many different agencies, at the end of the day, I chose Halo Missions because they address multiple issues I am passionate about. The first issue Halo Missions addresses is addiction which is extremely heavy in my family. I have always been interested in the causes, in addition to the effects of addiction, for this very reason. Halo Missions also addresses issues regarding sustainability. They “not only support women during their recovery process but do so in a sustainable and eco-responsible way” (HALO Missions). There were several other reasons I decided to work with Halo Missions that go beyond the issues they address. I have always believed in women supporting women. I supported and empowered women and addressed problems like addiction and lack of sustainability while creating a beautiful product to wear and/or sell as a representation.

While working with Halo Missions, I created jewelry, taught ring-making classes, and photographed and filmed content for Halo Missions social media such as Tik-Tok, Instagram, and Facebook. I met with Kristen Thorbjerson, president of Halo Missions and my mentor in this process to start my journey. She taught me how to create rings, bracelets, and earrings from recycled guitar strings. Once I was comfortable, I taught others how to make the same items. The primary location for classes was Nashville Farmers Market. Still, we also met in several other areas, thanks to Airbnb Experiences. After many months of creating and teaching how to make jewelry, COVID-19 put that to a halt and classes were stopped. After only having roughly twenty hours, I had to find a way to complete the rest of my service hours and follow through with my initial promise to Kristen. We brainstormed and decided that I could continue spreading awareness in other ways besides classes. We decided I could manage all HALO missions. With this being my position, I shot and edited photos of the jewelry and created meaningful captions to accompany them.

I have loved working with Halo Missions every second, but it had its challenges. The first challenge faced was the challenge of actually finding time to learn how to create the

jewelry. Kristen is an extremely busy woman having kids of her own and running a company. I am an extremely busy teenager just trying to make it through high school. Before meeting for the first time, we had planned six times to meet, and each time the plans fell through whether it was something on my end or hers. I would recommend that those who want to do service scholar start as early as possible, probably in the summer months, because senior year is hectic. COVID-19 played a role in why we had trouble meeting. In addition, I had to switch my original plan from creating the jewelry to managing the social media. Although I post on Instagram, I rarely use Tik-Tok, and never Facebook, and now I had to learn while marketing a product. At first, I was doubtful of myself, but I found out a lot about myself while running the socials. While facing these challenges, I have learned several things about myself and the world around me.

First, I discovered I’m a lot more creative than I thought, and I enjoy being creative. I was able to transform the socials of Halo Missions, putting meaning into the captions I wrote while making the Instagram, Facebook, and Tik-Tok feed aesthetically pleasing, driving in more followers. Keeping with the idea of creativity, I have always thought that drawing, embroidery, ceramics, etc., are therapeutic. However, I have never thought about using these things as therapy for myself. This has been a challenging year because I honestly believe I’ve put too much on my plate. By using what I have learned at Halo Missions, I have begun to use forms of expression in my own life to ease the stress. When I was stressed, I worked on making jewelry for Halo Missions. Everything about it just felt good. I was expressing myself through creating jewelry while also benefiting more than myself. It was something I was passionate about. After my time with them, I have continued to embroider, which I haven’t done since seventh grade. Overall, it has benefited my mental health. I wish to continue making jewelry for Halo Missions once classes open up again. I have also learned it’s essential to use the resources around you. When looking for an agency, I used my sister as a connection, using my resources. This ultimately made the search for an agency much more manageable. I felt more comfortable getting started since we shared common contact. Next, I learned that spreading awareness is extremely difficult. Through my conversations with Kristen, I have been able to hear about her journey to spread awareness and spread followers on her socials. Kristen has worked extremely hard to get to where she is today with her business, and I will continue trying to be even half the woman she is. Finally, I have learned that although it may not be the same way, everyone can make a difference. I made a difference in person by creating the jewelry and spreading my knowledge to others. However, I was also able to make a difference remotely, which has reassured me that I am capable of much more than I thought I was and broadened the knowledge of my abilities. I also have been more conscious of being sustainable. Hearing about the goals of Halo Missions has inspired me to pursue environmental science regarding sustainability. Finally, through speaking to those who have faced addiction in their lives, I have been able to further my understanding of those around me facing similar challenges. By gaining a greater understanding, I have strengthened my relationships with these individuals, learning how to be sensitive to their challenges.