Alumni Association Newsletter - October 2010

8/8/2019 Alumni Association Newsletter - October 2010

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ForFor

HelpHelpPleasePlease

CallCall

1-800-637-HOPE1-800-637-HOPE

oror

(724) 225-9700(724) 225-9700

Leading the Way In Quality Chemical Dependency TreatmentLeading the Way In Quality Chemical Dependency Treatmentwww.greenbriar.netwww.greenbriar.net

OctoberOctober 20102010

Greenbriar Treatment CenterGreenbriar Treatment Center

ALUMNI NEWSALUMNI NEWS


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Garrett replaces Heather on the Interim Committee although Heatherremains an active member of the Alumni Association.The Interim Leadership Committee has instituted several serviceprojects and we would like to update you on those efforts.

Clothes Closet: Thanks to all of your donations, we were able

to sort and distribute much needed summer and fall clothing to ourinpatient facility. Your response was awesome (and at timesoverwhelming!). Special thanks to Nanci H. and Marie B. for theirtime transporting the donations to our inpatient facility. With theassistance and support of Greenbriars Clinical Director, Peggy ONeill,Nanci and Marie organized the Clothes Closet at the inpatient facilityso that those in need of clothing are easily accommodated. At thistime, clothing donations are NOT NEEDED and we will wait for Peggyto let us know when our services are needed for fall/winter clothingitem.

Library Collection: We also want to thank you for your bookdonations. One of the Interim Leadership Committees projects wasto begin and build a literary collection that can be utilized by ourinpatient folks. We are still in need of donated Big Books, BasicTexts, and recovery inspired meditation books. Nanci and Mariedropped off the first installment for the library. Thanks again Nanciand Marie!

Garrett is in the process of contacting all of our AlumniAssociation members for additional information such as what homegroup you attend, whether it is AA or NA and, with this information,

we hope to begin matching current Greenbriar members with alumniwho will be willing to meet and greet the newcomers at the variouslocal meetings. Please help Garrett help us build our data base sothat we can begin using your experience, strength and hope with thenewcomers. *See Related Article and attached form for enrollment.

Judy Shannon, Greenbriars Director of Community andCorporate Services, is helping us institute Mini Alumni Leads at ourvarious outpatient locations. More to follow..

Interim LeadershipCommittee

Marie B.

Christine D.

Garrett H.

Nanci H.

Pat M.

Ron T.

Contents

Projects on the Move

Recovery Database

Monthly Thoughts

Counselor Corner

Anniversaries

Alumni To Alumni

Upcoming Events

Alumni Briefs

PROJECTS ON THE MOVEPROJECTS ON THE MOVE


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Recovery DatabaseRecovery Database

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What is this Recovery thing all about? One of those frequently asked questions that we hearmost at Greenbriar, and I am sure other treatment facilities hear it too, is how to go about gettinginvolved in recovery. You learn when you are in treatment that it is a we program but we do notdistribute play books to help you identify who is this we. Instead, we ask that you beginattending and participation in AA or NA and to start to develop a recovery support system. For

some people, this task can seem overwhelming. On the surface, it could seem that way. However,one of the neatest things about the 12-step program is that everyone, EVERYONE, comes in withthe same common denominator a disease that requires daily maintenance to not pick up that firstone. Right there you already have something in common with everyone else in the room.

What the Alumni Association would like to do is have you help others begin to navigate therecovery rooms. We will be contacting you with the name of a newcomer who we believe couldbenefit by the unique match that you provide. This may include like occupations, or interest in acertain hobby or past-time. The amount of contact with the newcomer is up to you. What we willask is that you meet the newcomer at your home group, or a more convenient meeting, and,initially, welcome them to the program. Some of you have expressed an interest in being available

to pick the newcomer up and take them to a meeting and we will be utilizing your services in thisregard too!

Recovery is a change of life style and that includes meeting new people and making new friends.We can all remember that first meeting, walking through the doors; feeling like everyone is looking,sensing that everyone else knows something that we do not. Having someone to assist with thoseinitial butterflies can mean the difference between someone who keeps coming back and someonewho goes back.

Upcoming EventsUpcoming EventsSaturday, October 30, 2010

6:00pm After Work Discussion Halloween Dance

6:00pm After Work Discussion Group (Penn Hills) Sponsoring a Halloween Dance. Speaker at6:00pm. Dance to follow.

Food & Fellowship

Prizes for best CostumeFor more information contact Barb (412) 760-1571

1st Annual Alumni Association Christmas Celebration

We would like your thoughts and ideas for this event to be held on Friday, December 17, 2010 atour Brentwood Office. If you are willing to donate time, effort, creativity, food, decorations, etc.,please contact Romaine (412) 885-7180


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Pose a question to one of Greenbriar Treatment Centers clinical staff and we will attempt to answeryour questions on addiction, recovery, family and recovery, return to work issues, or whateverquestion you may have. You may either email us or telephone your question(s). For those whowould like to remain anonymous, please leave your question in a sealed envelope for the secretaryat whatever site you are attending Continuing Care.

We hope that you questions may provide an answer for someone else who may have a similarissue!

Q. My doctor wants me to take antidepressants. Im worried that taking prescription drugs will hurt my recovery.Ive been clean for 7 months.

First of all, Im glad to see that you put your recovery first! Youre more likely to make good decisions for yourselfwhen recovery is your top priority. There are a couple of things to think about before you make a decision to takemedications. The first year of recovery can be very difficult. Youre having to stop and think before you make any deci-sions in your life, which is probably tough at times. Feelings start to come back, and they can be overwhelming.Feeling guilt and shame are common in early recovery and pretty hard to deal with. The way you coped before was to

use, and now you dont have that to turn to. You might start to have some feelings of depression or anxiety as well.Most of this is very normal in early recovery. You probably said and did things in your addiction that youre not veryproud of, and anyone would feel a little depressed and anxious having to deal with that. Also, your mind and bodyarent completely healed yet. The chemicals you used affected the normal functioning of your brain, and it takes thebody time to mend. Difficulty sleeping is especially tough in early recovery. As we all know, not only do addicts cravetheir drug, they also crave instant gratification! That means that when we feel uncomfortable, we want that quick fix!When youre in recovery, you cant always look for a pill or something external to help you feel better. You need to useyour support system to talk through your feelings. Talk to your sponsor, recovering friends, your family, your therapist.Talk to anyone that will listen!!! But, talk! Speaking of talk, pay attention to your own self-talk. Use positive statementsabout yourself. Beating yourself up isnt going to help at all. List the positive decisions you make every day. If you didntpick up today, youve made positive decisions. Make yourself find them. Finally, work the steps! You have 12 Steps thatcan help you through any problem you are experiencing.

Feeling a little sad or blue is one thing. But, how do you know if your feelings of depression are more severe thanwhat is normal in early recovery? If you dont enjoy things you used to (other than using!), if you feel sad and tearfulnearly every day or have a lot of mood swings, if you dont have energy and cant concentrate, your depression mightneed some medication. If youre feeling these things and dont address it, you are more likely to relapse because youdont have the mental or physical energy it takes to work a program. Taking antidepressants may help you think moreclearly and give you the energy you need for your recovery. Even though you might feel uncomfortable taking a pillevery day, you have to remember that taking care of your medical needs is an important part of working your program.

Medical doctors can prescribe antidepressant medications, but seeing a psychiatrist is the best option. Also, make surethat all doctors know that you are in recovery and that you can not take any medications that can potentially be addic-tive. You especially can not take benzodiazepines (like xanax, ativan, klonopin etc).

Many times the medication you are prescribed is changed several times during your treatment. It is not unusual for

dosages to change, or for the medication to be switched to something else. You need to partner with your doctor tofind the right medication and the right dosage that is most effective for you. But, be patient! Some antidepressantscan take weeks to be most effective. Also be patient with side effects. Most side effects are mild and go away afterthe first week or two.

If youre feeling suicidal, or like you just want to give up, you need to tell someone now! If suicide is something yourethinking about, your depression needs treated today!

Be patient with yourself and remember that just because youre in recovery doesnt mean that you wont experiencelifes problems. Being in recovery means that you now have 12 Steps to help you face them! And sometimes....youmight just need a little medication to help you through.

Counselor CornerCounselor Corner

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Alumni AnniversariesCongratulations and keep coming back!

Pat M. 9/14/2003 Joanne E. 9/7/2007Marc A. 8/14/2008 Eldon K. 9/14/2008

Andy L. 9/29/2008 Craig F. 7/21/2009Katy T. 8/3/2009 Nanci H. 9/6/2009

Jim P. 9/19/2009

Alumni BriefsAlumni Briefs

We are pleased to announce that Greenbriar Treatment Centers Information Technologydepartment is creating a link to our home page on the internet for the Alumni Association.In the future, we hope to post our Newsletter on the website for easier access.

We are still looking for contributions to the Newsletter from you the Alumni Association.Please feel free to provide poems, stories, pictures, jokes (keep it clean!), thoughts,whatever you want to provide.

We are looking for new members to the join the Alumni Association. As you know, theAlumni Association was recently restarted and there are a lot more of us out there that maybenefit from, and provide benefit to, the Alumni Association. If you know of someone whowould like to participate in the Alumni Association, please let us and them know!! * Seeattached application form.

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Character: Doing the right thing when no one is watching.(Be a Character)


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Alumni to AlumniAlumni to Alumni

Hello

My name is Ron T. and I am an alumni of Greenbriar Treatment Center. I will be doing a shortinterview, or two, for each edition of the Alumni Newsletter. This is simply to show you what doingthe next right thing, staying the course and using the program can do. We meet people everyday inour lives, but many, like us have survived some rough patches. Some even still are today but theyare using sobriety to tell others about their own personal journey. I do not know everyone, but Iwould like to hear what you have to say. Everyone is important and you may never know what canbecome of it.My first interview was with my friend Eldon K. Some of you may already know him. He and I havebeen friends for over five years and he has had a great impact on me over that period of time. We

were in the DUI Treatment Court together and he, like many of us, has had some struggles.However, Eldon was worked himself back into a strong recovery program.Eldon attends 2 to 3 meetings per week. He rarely misses our Tuesday evening alumni group. Hespeaks from the heart and his experiences, and in his own personal styleunique! I asked of himwhat his greatest reward was with his sobriety, There are too many to count, everyday there aremore, according to Eldon. Asked about his feelings with respect to the slogan Keep Coming Backhe replied Its where I need to be, I am refreshed. Its like getting my battery charged all over. Ican see myself in a lot of other people.My last question to Eldon was what has his sobriety taught him. I have found a God of myunderstanding, one who is caring and loving and giving. It just took time to find Him and let Himinto my life. I am grateful of that most of all.Eldons sobriety date is 09/14/2008. Keep doing it Eldon.one day at a time!In the future do not be surprised or embarrassed if I ask you our alumni to share with me acouple of minutes on how your program is working so that we can show people that this reallyworks!

Thanks.

Ron T.

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HAVING TROUBLE ACCESSING ADDICTION TREATMENT BENEFITSTHROUGH COMMERCIAL INSURANCE OR CHIP?TELL US ABOUT IT [email protected]

In the subject line, please put: Act 106Commercial Insurance and Treatment for Addictions - (PAs Act 106 of 1989)

Act 106 of 1989 requires all commercial group health plans, HMOs and the Childrens HealthInsurance Program to provide comprehensive treatment for alcohol and other drug addictions.

The minimum benefits include:(a) Up to 7 days detoxification per admission 4 admissions per lifetime (hospital or

non-hospital residential detoxification)(b) Minimum of 30 days rehabilitation per year 90 days per lifetime (non-hospital

residential)(c) Minimum of 30 sessions of outpatient/partial hospitalization per year 120

sessions per lifetime (outpatient/partial hospitalization)(d) Family counseling and intervention services(e) Additional Treatment Beyond the coverage described above, 30 additionaloutpatient/partial hospitalization sessions are provided which can be utilized on a two-to-one basisto provide 15 additional non-hospital, residential treatment days.

Act 106 of 1989 also specifies the method of accessing treatment.Under the Act, the only lawful prerequisite before aninsured obtains nonhospital residential and outpatient

coverage for alcohol and drug dependency treatment is acertification and referral from a licensed physician orlicensed psychologist. It is the Departments determinationthat the same prerequisite applies for inpatient detoxificationcoverage. The certification and referral in all instancescontrols both the nature and duration of treatment. (PA InsuranceDepartment, Drug and Alcohol Use and Dependency Coverage, Notice 2003-06)

The provisions of Act 106 of 1989 have been upheld by the PennsylvaniaInsurance Department and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.This is not an emergency or crisis service. For emergencies, callyour local county Crisis Hot Line or local Single County Authorityon Drugs and Alcohol

Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania Rev. 8/10

INSURANCE TREATMENTINSURANCE TREATMENT


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Name:______________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: (___)_______________Can a message be left at this number Yes No

Email Address:_______________________________________________

Sobriety Date:_______________________________________________

Todays Date:________________________________________________

Greenbriar Treatment CenterAlumni Association


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Greenbriar Treatment CenterAlumni Association

Initial Meeting Contact

Name:______________________________________________________

Phone Number: (___)_______________

Email Address:_______________________________________________

Home Group:________________________________________________

Day/Time:__________________________________________________

Location:___________________________________________________

Preference: AA/NA (circle one)

Are you willing to drive someone: Yes/No (circle one)

Sobriety Date:_______________________________________________

Todays Date:________________________________________________


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Greenbriar-(Main)

800 Manor Drive

Washington, PA 15301

Greenbriar-Monroeville

Penn Center East, Building 4,

400 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 707,

Pittsburgh, PA 15235

Greenbriar-New Kensington

601 Sixth Avenue

New Kensington, PA 15068

Greenbriar-North Strabane

1840 Washington Road Route19

Washington, Pa 15301

Greenbriar-Robinson Township

Twin Towers, Suite 3654955 Steubenville Pike


Greenbriar-South Hills

101 Towne Square Way

Suite 221

Brentwood, PA. 15227

Greenbriar-Squirrel Hill

1928 Murray Avenue


Greenbriar-Wexford

6200 Brooktree Road

Suite 210

Wexford, PA 15090

The Lighthouse for Women

1633 Weirich Avenue


The Lighthouse for Men1820 Washington Road



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Documents

Alumni Association Newsletter - October 2010