From Family Support Specialist to Team and Family Manager, Meet Sarah Frias, Not Your Ordinary Nurse

Next Level Recovery Associate's newest Team and Family Manager,?Sarah Frias, is another living proof that long-term addiction recovery is possible. She has overcome her substance use disorder struggles and uses her story and passion for helping others recover.

Aside from being in active recovery, Sarah has been a nurse for more than 13 years and recently became promoted (again) from Family Support Specialist to Team and Family Manager. Her incredible management, empathy, and passion have made her a family management superstar on our team.

Sarah is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a focus on addiction at Southern New Hampshire University, and she has just completed a Canam intervention course training. Sarah's goal is to gain more knowledge and experience in this field and one day run a rehabilitation facility to help those affected by substance use disorders achieve recovery and build beautiful lives.

During our Q&A session with Sarah, we had the opportunity to learn more about how she manages to help our team and families thrive.

1.You've started working at?Next Level Recovery Associates?as a Licensed Practical Nurse since it launched and recently became promoted to Team and Family Manager. How have your career advancements helped you achieve new skills and expertise?

?Starting at Next Level Recovery Associates as a nurse transport was new to me. Amanda and Blake made me comfortable, always asking questions and guiding me in the right direction. When I became promoted from Nurse Transport to Family Support Specialist, I had to learn everything from the ground up. It was and still is exciting to develop new skills every day. I can also use my thinking skills from nursing with specific clients and family members, which I love. I am always open to new tasks and challenges.

2. As a new mom and wife working while studying in school, how does Next Level Recovery Associates help you with a work-life balance?

?If I said balancing mom, work, and school life was easy, I would be lying. However, I am beyond blessed to work for Next Level Recovery Associates. The reason I say this is because the work environment is always positive. It is never a question if I need some time for my son, family, or self-care. I can do that if I need some time to recharge and ground myself. Blake and Amanda are big on self-care and communication. We are a team and can always rely on one another, which is fantastic.

3. Describe your day-to-day life as a Team and Family Manager.

?Every day is different, and every client and situation is unique. Every morning, the team does a Team intention-setting call by sharing victories from the day before and professional and personal intentions for the day. I follow up with clients and their families, check with the contractors working the cases, and ensure they are equipt to do their job. From organizing client charts to taking intentional calls, which is excellent, every day is productive.

4. As someone who went through addiction yourself, how do you use your story to help those struggling with a substance use disorder?

When speaking with a client or someone struggling with substance use disorder or mental illness, I always come from an understanding space, as I have been there. I share my struggles and where I am now. Never from a judgmental space, and allow them to communicate without biases. I want a client to feel heard and understood. I also want them to know it can and will get better, and there is hope. In a family setting, I also do the same but communicate with them some boundaries my family did to help me reach where I am now. It also is just as hard on the families dealing with a loved one struggling, but I am willing to listen and show compassion.

5. How long have you been working at Next Level Recovery Associates? Please share three things you have learned by working alongside Founders Amanda Marino and Blake Cohen.

I have been at Next Level Recovery Associates for over two years. There are so many things I have learned by working alongside Founders Amanda Marino and Blake Cohen. The first one is something I have stated before, and that is taking care of yourself. They have shown me that you must care for yourself to give 100% to our clients and families. To be able to help the clients, we also need to make sure we are taking care of ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually. The second is learning how to set boundaries to avoid burnout. And lastly, they have taught me that communication is vital in every aspect of life.