This past spring, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, people in need of behavioral health services were blindsided. While in-person treatment programs were considered essential services and continued, many people, especially those at higher risk, stayed away. Even more, outpatient services and other supportive services were unable to offer people the help that they needed. This| The Phoenix Spirit
People in long-term recovery know the drill. They have been down. They got up. And they’re staying up. With some training and supervision, they can share their experience, understanding and reassurance with others who are recovering from substance use disorder. In fact, they may be able to help others become ready and willing to seek| The Phoenix Spirit
Problem gambling negatively affects individuals, families, and communities in Minnesota. The behavior patterns associated with problem gambling compromise activities of daily living such as relationships, education and vocational opportunities, personal and financial well-being, substance use, emotional stability, physical health, and housing. Problem gambling also impacts families and other loved ones. It contributes to chaos and| The Phoenix Spirit
In 2015 as the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis was hosting festive events to celebrate its 50th anniversary, a smaller, quieter happening began to ripple through the CTC alumni community. No fanfare, no hype, but to those involved, of greater celebratory significance. Thirty-one years had passed since the 1984 arrest of John Clark Donahue,| The Phoenix Spirit
Introducing the concept of nutrition into a treatment program is not an easy task. Many addicts in early recovery are not ready for health behavioral change, since most are simply trying to get past the immediate crisis of addiction and the associated life adjustments of abstinence. In fact, sobriety can magnify pre-existing dysfunctional eating behavior.| The Phoenix Spirit