MAAR Newsletter February 2014 - MASAP | Maine Association of

MAAR
Newsletter
February 2014
Maine Alliance
For
Addiction Recovery
295 Water Street
Suite 100
Augusta, ME. 04330
207-621-8118
www.masap.org
_____________
Darren Ripley
Coordinator
dripley@masap.org
_____________
April Timmons Lowe
Peer Recovery Support
april@masap.org
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
MAAR/ New Home,
New Opportunities.
1-3
SMART MEETINGS
4
National News:
Elizabeth Vargas
5
Commentary by Darren
Ripley
6
There is HOPE
7
Naloxone Training
Video
8
Anonymous People
SHOWINGS
9
PRCC News
10&
11
The BARN
12
MAAR Info/ Support us!
13
Local addiction recovery program
gets new home in Augusta
Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery coordinator Darren Ripley said the new location will allow the
program to have a greater reach into the community.
By Craig Crosby ccrosby@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer
AUGUSTA — In the battle against addiction, a call from a friend can
make all the difference. Getting a system in place to allow people to
make those calls has become Darren Ripley’s preoccupation. Ripley, coordinator of the Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery, is searching every nook and cranny for funding that will allow him to open a telephone
recovery support program in MAAR’s new home in the Olde Federal
Building on Water Street in Augusta. Ripley sees the unlimited potential
of the new space, opportunities for more groups, job assistance and
even acupuncture therapy. The telephone recovery support program is
the crown jewel of that vision.
“I try not to let it get me down that I don’t have it up and running,” Ripley
said.
The alliance specializes in supporting programs on the front lines of recovery by providing organization, training and advocacy for those recovering from alcohol and drug addictions.
“We support all pathways to
recovery,” said Ripley, adding
that he has been in recovery for
21 years.
Continued on next page
Darren Ripley, Coordinator for MAAR
PAGE
Ripley, who took over as the alliance’s coordinator in 2012,
recently oversaw a move from the second floor of the Olde
Federal Building to the main floor. The new space, unlike
the old, offers private rooms and communications infrastructure to expand programs. The alliance moved in
October.
“We have the ability to provide more services for those in
recovery,” Ripley said.
Offering those services has become increasingly important in light of overdose statistics released by the state’s attorney general last week. There were 163 drugrelated deaths in 2012, 101 of which were related to pharmaceutical opioids such
as oxycodone and methadone. There were 829 drug-related deaths from 2008 to
2012, an average of more than 165 people per year. The number of heroin-related
deaths quadrupled from seven in 2011 to 28 in 2012, according to the report.
The new location has space for group meetings. That room will be named in honor
Jordan Ellis, a 19-year-old Augusta man who died of an overdose in May 2012.
Ripley has remained in contact with Ellis’ family members, who approve of naming
the group room for him.
“His family has been very supportive,” Ripley said.
Among the programs are recovery meetings, peer support meetings for parents
and families, and a recovery coach program. Ripley said he eventually would like to
offer acupuncture therapy, which he said is particularly effective for those battling
marijuana addictions. The alliance provides training for its programs, which are all
staffed by volunteers. Ripley said he has a host of volunteers ready to sign up for
training to work the telephone recovery support program.
“If someone had called me when I first started out in recovery, that would have
been great,” Ripley said.
Continued on next page
2
PAGE
Those who sign up for the program will receive a weekly call from a volunteer. The caller
will check on the participant’s progress in recovery and listen and offer support when the
person is facing life challenges. Most people sign up for the calls for a few months, but
the process can continue for as long as the person in recovery wishes, Ripley said. The
Portland Recovery Community Center, which, like the alliance, is run under the umbrella
of the Maine Association of Substance Abuse Programs, currently offers the only telephone recovery support program in the state. Information on the recovery center’s website claims the program is particularly effective for those who relapse. According to one
study in Connecticut, more than 10 percent who received calls for 12 weeks selfreported a relapse, and of those 72 percent claimed to have gone back into recovery.
Many of those who returned credited the weekly call.
Ripley said the program helps track clients’ progress because the software not only provides a daily schedule of people to call, but it allows the volunteers to keep notes of
those conversations so they can follow up on specific discussions or concerns.
“Statistics show that it’s so beneficial,” he said.
Ripley thinks the Augusta program could be particularly effective because, like the Portland program, it will use volunteers. Those receiving the calls will know they are talking
to a volunteer who is choosing to reach out to them rather than a paid staff member.
“I have volunteers waiting in the wings,” Ripley said.
They, like Ripley, are waiting for funding to establish the program. Ripley said he needs
about $3,000 to buy the software and receive the training.
“I’m trying to go through as many grants as I can to get that $3,000,” Ripley said.
The process has consumed much of his time, but he thinks it will all be worth it.
“We can hopefully stop that revolving door,” Ripley said.
Craig Crosby — 621-5642ccrosby@centralmaine.com
3
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MAAR is pleased to announce that a NEW SMART
Recovery Meeting will begin on Thursday, February 6th
2014 at the Mid Maine Homeless Shelter located at
19 Colby Street in Waterville.
The meetings will be held in the Resource Room
from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm every Thursday.
For more information please contact Darren Ripley at 458-4366 or dripley@masap.org
Click this link to lean more about SMART Recovery : http://www.smartrecovery.org
MEETINGS
WEDNESDAYS: 6:00-7:30 pm The Olde’ Federal Building, 295 Water Street,
Conference Room, Augusta, Maine
FMI: dripley@masap.org (207) 458-4366
THURSDAYS: 7:00– 8:00 pm Mid Maine Homeless Shelter 19 Colby Street,
Resource Room, Waterville, Maine
FMI: dripley@masap.org (207) 458-4366
THURSDAYS: 5:00– 6:30 pm Portland Recovery Community Center, 458 Forest Ave.
Suite A, Portland, Maine
FMI scotreau@masaqp.org (207) 553-2575
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Jan. 24, 2014, 10:27 AM EST
ABC News' Elizabeth Vargas: 'I am an alcoholic'
By Tim Molloy
TheWrap
"20/20" anchor Elizabeth Vargas discussed what she said was an "exhausting" battle with alcoholism on "Good Morning
America" Friday.
"I am. I am an alcoholic," Vargas told "GMA" co-anchor George Stephanopoulos in interview that was taped Thursday. "It
took me a long time to admit that to myself. It took me a long time to admit it to my family, but I am."
Vargas, who sought treatment in rehab last fall, returns to the air Friday on "20/20." She is in Alcoholic Anonymous and
has a sponsor.
Vargas said she had done "20/20″ specials on drinking but couldn't acknowledge she had a problem. She said she knew
she needed help when she showed up for a "20/20″ shoot one day and realized she was "in no shape to do that interview."
She also resisted when her husband, Marc Cohn, told her, "'You have a problem. You're an alcoholic.'"
"It made me really angry, really angry," she said. "But he was right."
Vargas said she drank mostly wine, and that one of her children called it "mommy's juice." She tried to limit her intake.
"I started thinking 'Well, you know, I'll only drink, you know, on weekends," she said, laughing. "I'll only drink, you know,
two glasses of wine a night. I won't drink on nights before I have to get up and do 'Good Morning America.' But those deals
never work."
Also read: Robin Roberts Shows Girlfriend to 'GMA' Viewers for First Time Since Coming Out (Video)
Vargas, 51, said she had battled panic attacks since she was a child. They began when her father was serving in Vietnam,
and her mother would leave to go to work.
"I dealt with that anxiety, and with the stress that the anxiety brought by starting to drink. And it slowly escalated and got
worse and worse," she said.
She said it took her a long time to realize she had a problem.
"I mean, denial is huge for any alcoholic, especially for a functioning alcoholic, because I, you know, I'm not living under a
bridge. I haven't been arrested," she said.
She said that instead of turning to alcohol, now she calls a friend, meditates or prays.
"There's been a real spiritual component for me in all of this," she said. "Reach out to
somebody who can talk you through that rotten day."
The post ABC News' Elizabeth Vargas: 'I Am An Alcoholic' appeared first on TheWrap.
5
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Commentary from the Coordinator at
the Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery:
As I sit here wide awake at 3:00 am revisiting the news over the past 4 four days I feel compelled to write a
bit of a commentary. Now I know that most have seen the tragic event that happened to a well known
actor this week and have seen the media do what they do best and rip a person to shreds, hey it sells
papers right? And many others have their own comments to make about those of us that have fought and
those that continue to fight addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. There are many that don't understand why
somebody just doesn't magically rid themselves of their addiction after treatment. There are several
methods that have been used over the years for the substance user. 1. Prevention: Educating those about
the harmful effects of substance use and that has worked for many however what happens if a person
makes the decision to use substances well we move onto the next step. 2. Intervention: Let's grab the
family, friends, professional together and surprise the substance user as they walk into the house with this
group of "concerned" people and confront them. Yes it looks great on TV however personally when I was
confronted all it was piss me off and I used more. Then possibly an unfortunate event takes place in this
person's life that brings them to say " I need treatment." PHEWW finally! This person enters treatment for
28 days or possibly 6 weeks of intensive outpatient treatment, is deemed to be doing much better, fills out
an aftercare plan, shakes hands with the counselor and heads out the door on their way to a brand new life!
Wait! Is that them coming back again to treatment? How can that be it has only been a month since they
walked out the door doing so well? Two Words: Recovery Capital! If we are hoping this person has a chance
at staying clean once out the door this is an important component for them. Does this person have a job,
housing, supportive partner and friends? Do they live in an environment free of substances, attend recovery
support meetings, transportation, free of debt and financially stable? Are they in good health, have
insurance, a primary care physician? What about enjoyable sober activities? This is their recover capital and
sadly enough if they do not have access to most of this they will be back to the treatment facility, that is if
they are fortunate enough to live that long. Many will die from their disease and that is just the plain hard
truth folks. In Maine we loose one person every other day from an overdose! So what do we do? Here is an
idea, let's all work together to encourage the person to take action and accountability for their recovery!
Motivate, encourage, empower them! Be a mentor and a cheerleader for them! What if treatment worked
with peer recovery support services prior to individuals being discharged so they could already have that
connection to a support system in place? Peer recovery supports work and are becoming utilized more
everyday. Every person deserves the opportunity for a successful recovery. They are worth it! I was worth it.
It is going to take us all working together to create a Recovery Oriented Systems of Care. One person cannot
do it. Think about this: How many millions of people cheered on one of the teams last weekend during the
superbowl? What if we did the same thing for those recovering from substance use? In conclusion what we
do need is more funding for recovery support services so we can develop Recovery Community Centers
though out our state where there are peer support services available for the newly recovering person or the
person that has been in recovery for a time yet needs some extra support so they don't fall backwards. This
is my perspective and opinion.
Darren Ripley, Coordinator , Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery
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“ There Is Hope”
Parent Support Group
The Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery will be hosting a
support group for parents who may have a child that is
struggling with alcohol and/ or drug addiction. Having a child
that may be addicted can be frustrating, frightening and
consuming to a family. “There Is Hope” is a support group
for parents to share their stories, learn facts about
addiction and work on strategies that will help give you piece
of mind. Most importantly, you will be able to connect with
other families and understand that you are not alone.
These meetings will be facilitate by a peer and clinician.
Meetings will be held at the
Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery group room
at 295 Water Street, Suite 101, in Augusta
from 6:30pm—7:30 pm every Monday.
FMI: Contact Darren Ripley at 458-4366
or dripley@masap.org
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8
Naloxone Instructional Video
MaineGeneral, MAAR, Delta Ambulance, and ASAP
presents
a MaineGeneral film production in association with
HCCA/ ASAP.
Staring: Darren Ripley, Kelsey Cler, & Jane Harper
Production Editor: Shay Daily
Music by: itunes
Special Thanks to Delta Ambulance, Gene Hassen,
and Bill McKenna
TO WATCH THE VIDEO CLICK LINK BELOW :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLo25AQNyeM&feature=youtu.be
Maine General Prevention Center
207-872-4102
SPONSORED BY:
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PLEASE JOIN US...
WHEN:
WHERE:
Thank you to
all those who
attended the
viewing of the
Anonymous
people on
Sunday, Jan.
26th at the
The Unitarian
Universalist
FMI:
More information about The Anonymous People can be found on our website at
www.masap.org
If your organization would like to host a showing please contact Darren Ripley at
621-8118 or dripley@masap.org
Community
Church in
Augusta!
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The mission of the Portland Recovery Community Center is to provide a safe, supportive,
substance-free environment, which is welcoming to EVERYONE seeking recovery.
The Center exists to serve people in recovery. THIS IS YOUR CENTER!! Please join us, perhaps
attend a meeting, talk with members and staff, and consider how you might participate. Sharing
our Recovery with others makes everybody’s Recovery stronger.
Steve Cotreau
Program Manager
scotreau@masap.org
Nancy Cormier
Volunteer Coordinator
ncormier@masap.org
Niki Curtis
Peer Support Supervisor
niki@masap.org
Liz Holder
Part Time Staff
lizh@masap.org
Please click on the following link to view the PRCC calendar: http://www.portlandrecovery.org/calendar.htm
PRCC is hosting ‘Burning Hearts Chili Challenge’ Friday February 14, 2014.
$25 Hannaford Gift Certificate for the winner. Salsa music will be played.
∞∞∞∞
NA Women’s meeting starting February 1, 2014
“Just For Today” 4:00PM Saturdays
∞∞∞∞

A panel from PRCC presented 1/29/14 at the Regional Training for tactical
police officers. The event was a great success. Participants shared effective
ways for officers to engage people who are addicted and may be under the
influence. There was wonderful discussion on both ‘sides’.

PRCC is starting to collaborate with Portland High School. PRCC members
will be speaking to students about addiction and recovery.

PRCC is collaborating with Long Creek Youth Detention Center to have
PRCC members speak about recovery and help instil hope.
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Bangor Area Recovery Network
P.O. Box 2241
Bangor, Maine 04402
(207) 561-9444
bangorrecovery@gmail.com
www.BangorRecovery.org
BARN’S MISSION
To provide a sustainable and reliable community recovery center that supports the needs of people affected by addiction.
BARN’S COMMUNITY RECOVERY CENTER – Open 7 days per week
Drop-in access
Social activities and community dinners
Computer and Wi-Fi Internet Access
RECOVERY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
A variety of 12-Step and self-help meetings
Recovery coaching
Moms in Recovery Support Group
Nurturing Parent Program
Recovery and the Workforce
Prime for Life (ages 16-20)
SPECIAL FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES
Super Bowl Party
Valentine Day Dance
Now featuring weekly dances, Saturday nights 8pm – 11pm
BARN’S EXPANDED IT HOURS
Mon: 10am – 8pm
Tue: 10am – 8pm
Wed: 10am – 10pm
Thurs: 10am – 8pm
Fri: 10am - 10pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 12 noon – 8pm
BANGOR AREA RECOVERY COMMUNITY COALITION (BARCC)
BARN continues its role in recovery advocacy through the Bangor Area Recovery Community Coalition
(BARRC). BARCC has its voice heard through it its role on the Substance Abuse Task Force of the
Greater Bangor Public Health Advisory Board.
BARCC has issued a policy statement against the legalization of marijuana and has
provided testimony to the Bangor City Council regarding the moratorium on medication-assisted treatment (expansion of Suboxone treatment at methadone clinics).
The Substance Abuse Task Force is developing specific actions relating to education
and advocacy regarding substance abuse. Initial issues include proposed MaineCare
expansion, medication-assisted treatment, and marijuana legalization.
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We need your help!
There are many ways you can participate!
Volunteer: Support and participation is welcomed from volunteers in a variety of ways.
Become a MAAR Volunteer Online | Download Printable Volunteer Form (PDF)
Donate: Make a tax-deductible donation to support recovery
activities and events. Online donations can be made tot he
Maine Substance Abuse Foundation, MAAR's 501(c)3 sister organization that assists with fundraising. Be sure to enter
"MAAR" in the "Designation" field on the donation form.
Make your online donation here.
Serve as a recovery leader: Click on the link to complete one
of our trainings:
one of our trainings.
MAAR Events: Meet others who are committed to recovery by
joining us for
MAAR events.
For more information about MAAR, contact us at
(207) 621-8118.
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