PRIDE Institute LGBT Treatment

 Current discussions at the Minnesota Senate hearings could prove disasterous to chemical dependency consolidated funds.  While the DHS staff who presented the Governor’s budget did their best, it was clear that they could have benefited from some involvement from clinicians and hearing stories of success from clients.

Write your representatives. There is information below submitted from MARRCH to give you some details on the situation.

To find your representatives:
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/districtfinder.aspx

MARRCH Recovery at Work, 2011

Minnesota has fallen into a cycle of paying increasingly more money for problems chemical use creates in our state and less on intervention and actual treatment. Once a pioneer in treating those with a chemical dependency illness, the state’s policies of freezing or cutting funding for CD treatment has led to steeply increased public costs in hospital emergency rooms, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system, in addition to personal tragedies of those who need help who are underserved or not served at all.  The cost of chemical dependency to Minnesota businesses is billions of dollars annually. 

Minnesota’s cost-containment strategies have actually cost taxpayers and local governments, as well as the state, millions of dollars. The reverse economic impact has been documented by dozens of studies, many by government agencies, including the Minnesota Department of Health.  The CD field has had rates cut or frozen in the majority of state budgets for a decade and a half. 

The Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health (MARRCH) is a professional association of state-licensed chemical dependency treatment facilities and individual Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs). It is the largest organization in the CD field with facilities or members in all 87 counties. 

There are many important issues being faced by legislators this session and many important constituencies to serve. Lawmakers also are working under the added challenge of solving a significant budget deficit.

MARRCH wants to be part of a solution that helps the maximum number of people at the most efficient cost possible. We want to help legislators understand the hard costs to the state and local government, and the multiplier effect of costs that result from cuts to CD treatment funding.  MARRCH also wants to provide accurate and documented information and dispel misconceptions wherever possible.

Points worth highlighting:
1. Addiction is an illness. This has been argued for decades, but the debate is over. Alcohol and chemical dependencies no longer are discretionary treatments by insurance companies. The argument that addiction is self-inflicted and that an alcoholic should just stop drinking is hollow, groundless and not well-informed. All scientific research has demonstrated that chemical dependency addiction is a chronic disease of the central nervous system with genetic, lifestyle and environmental causation. Research demonstrates that it is treatable.

2. Pay now, or pay much more later. The cost NOT treating addiction is more expensive than the cost of treating addiction. One national study demonstrated that $100,000 spent on treatment avoided $487,000 in health care costs (hospitals, ER rooms, ambulances, doctors) and an additional $700,000 in crime costs (police, courts, jails, prisons). An exhaustive California showed that $1,500 in treatment costs avoided more than $10,000 in related costs. The U.S. Department of Human Services wrote: “Even beyond the enormous physical and psychological costs, treatment can save money by diminishing the huge financial consequences imposed on employers and taxpayers.”

3. Minnesota is worse than average. Minnesota is among the top five states in binge drinking. A state study shows that Minnesota beats the national average in marijuana use. The national average has 503 persons in addiction treatment for every 100,000 of population; the number is 389 in Minnesota. States, cities, sports teams all want bragging rights for a variety of things. This is one area we should strive not to lead.

Addiction touches many families, businesses, and communities throughout Minnesota. MARRCH members are in virtually every community statewide. MARRCH stands ready with information and ideas to help achieve the best solution possible. Please feel free to contact us.

by Kristen Scheel

The Advocate took on the role of looking at America’s gayest cities since there has never been an actual census of the gay and lesbian population! Keep in mind, The Advocate used a completely unscientific scale but seems pretty accurate when it comes to living, loving, voting and creating communities across the 50 states. No longer will you think West Hollywood and Castro are the gayest areas of America when you see this top 15 list of the new age LGBT migration.

With much excitement at PRIDE Institute, the gayest city award went to Minneapolis! According to Mike Albo of The Advocate; “Over the past decade, Minneapolis has become the gay magnet city of the Midwest. It makes sense: people here are no-nonsense, practical, and don’t deal well with hypocrites.” We have gay and lesbian pastors, the Student Non-Discrimination Act to protect LGBT youth from school bullies, the very hot Mayhem rugby team, and of course our amazing LGBT recovery community. When you’re thinking of visiting or migrating to a gay city, Minneapolis takes the cake.

See the entire article at http://www.advocate.com/Print_Issue/Travel/Gayest_Cities_in_America_February_2011/

As part of PRIDE Institute’s commitment to the community, trainings are offered monthly via an online webinar format. January’s webinar featured Dr. Weston Edward on the topic of Finding Sexual Health in an Electronic Age. Each training is recorded. To view the session visit http://pride-institute.webex.com and click on recorded sessions.

You can also register for upcoming sessions via the same link.

PRIDE Institute: Celebrating 25 Years Creating Healthy LGBT Community

http://pride-institute.com/life/

Asking for help can be an overwhelming experience. Asking for help as a LGBT person struggling with chemical dependency and addiction can often be paralyzing. The shame and guilt associated with addiction and identifying as LGBT can stop someone from reaching out for the help they desperately need.

Help is here. With 25 years of experience, PRIDE Institute is the nation’s first and leading treatment facility committed to providing chemical dependency and addiction treatment exclusively to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community.

Don’t let yourself or someone you love struggle alone.
Click on the link below to see for yourself what makes PRIDE Institute so unique.

http://pride-institute.com/life/

HOW CAN YOU BRING YOUR DRINKING OUT OF THE CLOSET WHEN YOU’RE STILL IN IT?

You don’t have to come out to the world to kick your drinking and drug problem. But, research indicates that successful recovery depends on accepting your sexuality.

Come to PRIDE Institute, America’s first residential treatment facility run by lesbian, gay and transgender individuals. The professional staff is trained to understand special issues in our community and treat the disease of chemical dependency. Most important, PRIDE Institute offers a chance for you to become sober, proud and fully functioning in an often homophobic world. All insurance and patient records are kept in the strictest confidence. Special phone lines are set aside for family, employers or anyone else to whom you may not be ready to come out.

If you or someone you love needs information, help or referrals in your community, call anytime, 24 hours a day, 1-800-54-PRIDE.

Recovery with PRIDE.

By: Nicky Simon-Burton, alumni coordinator

The winter snow extravaganza that hit Minnesota did not stop our Alumni Holiday Gathering this weekend. Certainly attendance was lower than planned but the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus put on an amazing show. I was able to see some alumni I have known throughout my nearly three years at PRIDE and even met some new ones. During the show, and during intermission, I was struck at how amazing our alumni group is. There are many members of the chorus that are in recovery, some even PRIDE alumni. When I think about how this organization (www.tcgmc.org) provides a space for gay men to have community in a sober yet fun environment, I am awestruck. The talent of the men on stage was inspiring and to see how far several alum have come it makes me so proud to work for PRIDE Institute. During intermission I was talking at one of the exhibit tables with a wonderful gentlemen. He noticed I was wearing a PRIDE Institute Alumni & Friends t-shirt and asked when I had graduated. While I am not a graduate I instantly felt like we were family…PRIDE family. He graduated in 1991 and has been sober ever since. You could see the sense of pride in his face because of this momentus accomplishment which for many of our alumni in early recovery seems insurmountable. But there he was supporting the community, living and loving life, as a proud gay man in recovery. And for me that is what being involved in PRIDE Institute is all about. This holiday season I wish for blessing and support for all of our alumni, clients, family members, and staff. Addiction is a tough place, recovery is a long road, but I have heard the beautiful music possible along the way.

Blessings to you all!

By Ericka Otterson, former intern and case manager

“All projects change in the course of their journey. It’s best to start with a plan and expect accidents along the way – accidents that allow you to revise a plan, “plus” the plan, and make it far better than when the journey began. When we are in this state of being where we are open to life and all its possibilities, willing to take the next step as it is presented to us, then we meet the most remarkable people who are important contributors to our life.” – Joe J.

It is no accident that my professional journey brought me into the folds of the PRIDE Institute family. The day I interviewed for a chemical dependency internship I found a place where I belonged. No longer feeling constrained to fit into a role not quite designed for me but rather an opportunity for my professional and life experiences to collide –interwoven possibilities seeking out opportunities for meaningful interactions with colleagues and clients. As I embarked on the beginnings of my new career path – eager to learn and grow – developing new insight and skills – I was willing to take each step as it was presented to me.

An integral element of the philosophy that drives the work at PRIDE is that a life of recovery requires developing new, healthy messages and a belief system that affirms the LGBT person. PRIDE staff work to create an environment where clients not simply fit in – but they come to believe they belong and are worthy of a life in recovery. The program is designed to assist clients in developing knowledge of addiction and recovery and to gain skills and tools necessary to support long-term recovery. 

Clients and staff work collaboratively to deconstruct the shame so many carry at our core because of how we have been regarded due to our sexuality and life experiences and begin the process of reconstruction and making meaning in our lives. As an intern I learned to challenge clients to investigate and think critically about their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I implemented therapeutic techniques and assisted in the group experience creating opportunities for clients to process and analyze behaviors, address thinking errors resulting in feelings and actions and begin the transition from addiction to a life in recovery. The focus of our groups is to educate and facilitate client change. Feedback from peers provides multiple options for change and ideas for living in recovery. Clients are taught new healthier skills and tools to cope with life stressors and provided with opportunities to consistently practice and apply those tools within a safe sober setting.

I have found PRIDE to be a place where there exist the most remarkable people who impact change in the lives of those who are open to all the possibilities.

Does the thought of the holiday season fill you with stress? Maybe you feel like you have too many obligations and not enough time. Some of us dread the holiday gatherings we are expected to attend – because of stressful family dynamics, increased availability of alcohol and other drugs, and many other reasons.

To help you stay healthy and sober during the holidays, PRIDE has put together a list of tips for surviving the stress of the holiday season in hopes that you can use these ideas to have a happier, healthier holiday.

• Have realistic expectations – of yourself and of others.
• Embrace the spirit of the holidays – reconnect with kindness, compassion, gratitude and joy.
• If you anticipate one or more of your planned events to be more stressful – determine who your allies will be at the event and engage with them throughout the event.
• Be yourself! Celebrate and share your gifts and talents.
• Give yourself a break – or several – throughout the season.
• Celebrate with your Family of Choice.
• Make your own traditions.
• Volunteer time and talents to charitable organizations in need.
• If you are in recovery, stick to your relapse prevention plan and keep in touch with your sponsor and your 12-step group(s).
• Remember to take care of yourself – keep yourself healthy, physically balanced and spiritually connected.

Although the holiday season can be stressful, there are many positive experiences to be had as well. Remembering to take care of yourself can help you enjoy celebrating with others throughout the season.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

By Dave Reynolds, M.P.H. (Advocacy and Education Manager, The Trevor Project) and Phoenix Schneider, M.S.W. (Program Director, The Trevor Project).

The number one question of LGBT Recovery is “How can I meet people and still have fun in the LGBT community after treatment?”

As LGBT Individuals, we’re known for our scene. We have clubs, bars, etc, specifically catered to our community. For many of us all we know is the bar scene; that’s where our friends hang out and what we enjoy doing throughout the week. Many people early in recovery might say, “I don’t know anything else!” However, when getting sober, they say “change people, places and things.”

LGBT organizations have surfaced through the country with support groups, networking events, sober outings, etc. They give you an outlet to meet people and socialize. These LGBT community centers are in many major cities nationally and are largely linked within the community. They have event calendars and work to get the LGBT community connected. Many special events are hosted there, as well as giving individuals an opportunity to start their own events.

Outside of the LGBT community centers, there are LGBT specific 12 step meetings; LGBT specific 12 step round ups; LGBT coffee shops; LGBT sober retreats; LGBT fellowship nights; concerts; theatre events; LGBT day at the fair; and so on. In order to continue on in your recovery after treatment, THERE ARE OPTIONS! It’s all about finding new things to do, new activities you enjoy and changing your environment.