Petroleum

'Petroleum' portrays the transmission of energy between a community of five beings. When you're struggling, being connected to a supportive community is tremendously valuable.

Reflecting on my experience with drug addiction and mental health, during my darkest times, I distanced myself from the very communities that could have offered me support. My family, my friends, my colleagues - I was working hard to keep them all at arms length so they couldn't see the mess my life was in. Being honest and vulnerable felt like too big of a risk. I was scared they would judge me or push me to makes changes that I wasn't comfortable with. So I chose isolation instead.

My recovery journey began when I found a 12 step fellowship and began following the suggested process for getting clean and sober. This recovery community welcomed me with open arms, and I wouldn't be where I am today without the support I've received from the group.

These days it's really quite simple - the more connected I am to my friends and family, the better placed I am to deal with life.