Celebrating with your sober sweetheart

Two of the most common relapse triggers are relationships and holidays, making Valentine’s Day an especially tough day for people in recovery. There are many reasons why this day can be a trigger, including:

• You feel pressure to make the day extra special to make up for past disappointments;
• You’re single and unhappy about it; or
• You don’t know how to celebrate sober.

Here are some tips to stay clean and sober this Valentine’s Day: 

• Relax. Talk to your partner about your concerns and work together to find ways to make the day special. Lifehacker has some great tips for a stress-free holiday, whether you're in a relationship or single.
• Find new ways to celebrate. Stay in and make a dinner for two instead of going out. Have a mocktail party with your single friends in recovery. Or go to a comedy club and forget about Valentine’s Day altogether. Want more ideas? Here are 10 more.
• Get some perspective. Instead of focusing on yourself and your relationship (or lack of one), volunteer with a nonprofit, reach out to your peers in recovery, or do something nice for your community. 

Remember, Valentine's Day means loving yourself too. Have any tips of your own? Leave them in the comments!

In the news: Peer mentoring for parolees

"I'm only looking forward," - Michael Everett

The Bronx Free Press covered our new peer mentoring program for parolees in its January 21st edition. Reporter Gregg McQueen visited our outpatient clinic in the Bronx to speak with Mary Callahan, senior manager, director of Outpatient Services, and Michael Everett, a certified recovery coach, about this innovative program and how it will help reduce recidivism in participants. Check out the full article here.

Celebrating women of strength

Friendships between women are special. In their friendships, women tend to share feelings and problems more than men do with friends; and in times of stress or anxiety, women are more likely to turn to their friends and confidantes for emotional relief.

Many people struggling with substance use disorders, mental illness, or homeless find themselves isolated, and studies show that losing connections with others is a particularly devastating aspect of addiction for women.

That’s why every March, in honor of Women’s HistoryMonth, we host a special Women’s Day event. It’s often the first time the women across our housing programs have a chance to interact. “It’s about introducing the residents to each other, to encourage them to socialize and form a support network,” said Victor Genao, program director of Park Avenue.

This year's theme was “Strong Women Rise,” reflected on a mural painted by several of the women. The celebration was organized by Harriet Turner, who said, 'I believe 'strong women do rise' above all adversities and being a part of the women’s month event at Odyssey House gives me an opportunity to bring together the women we serve and provide a forum of hope and inspiration while sharing stories of encouragement through their own achievements and the stories of others."

The program included a performance by gospel singer Arlethia, poetry readings, and a ceremony honoring a woman from each program. Many of the speakers took the opportunity to share words of inspiration with their fellow tenants and colleagues:

“Everyone sitting at this table, know that you are an inspiration to someone – you are someone’s mother, sister, aunt, niece, daughter. More importantly, you are somebody.”

“You have a purpose in life – be a positive role model, not just at Odyssey House but in the world.”

They even learned how to pamper themselves a little bit. Kelly Ahearn, wellness coordinator, showed the women how to make a simple facial mask at home. 

Building a peer support system for people in early recovery

Odyssey House has been awarded a three-year, $1.2 million grant by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to fund enhanced services for individuals and families in recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders. The new program, called the Odyssey House Recovery Oriented Care System (OHROCS), will deliver recovery support services using the evidence-based Therapeutic Community peer mentoring model that includes coaching, personal recovery plans, peer-to-peer support groups and incentives.

Dr. Peter Provet, president of Odyssey House, said, "A peer support system that builds on techniques individuals learn in treatment offers an exciting opportunity to extend the reach of recovery services to where people live and work."

To learn more about OHROCS, read the press release here.