Crossroads for Women e-Newsletter

September 2009
TopGreetings!

National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month is in full swing now, with events happening all around the country. To celebrate the month, I thought it would be nice to talk about the unconventional places some of our clients have been finding growth and healing on their journey to recovery. I hope you find it inspiring.
Clients, Alumnae and Staff Make Strong Connections on Annual Sail
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On September 16th, 38 Crossroads for Women clients, alumnae and staff set sail on a 74-foot Maine built windjammer named Frances. This is the 5th year that Maine Sailing Adventures generously hosted the sunset sail on the beautiful waters of Casco Bay.

Each year, the halfway house plans the trip and invites other clients from the agency, staff, former clients and their own family and friends. After the sail, they shared their thoughts on the experience of the sail and what it meant to them.

Most all of the halfway house clients said the trip was relaxing and a great way to connect with other women. Many noted that it was a good example of how to have "sober fun," something that one woman said she never knew could be possible until coming into treatment.

The sail was also a good bonding experience for everyone who attended. There were opportunities to work together to lift sails up and help the crew. Some of the women in treatment brought their moms on the cruise. While they may still be working on mending relationships, those clients said it was helpful for their mothers to see other women that are going through the same thing they are going through.

Clients were especially grateful to have the chance to spend time with former Crossroads clients. Seeing alumnae gave them hope that they could maintain their sobriety after treatment and lead a healthy lifestyle. They noted that those former clients didn't have to be there. They were there because they wanted to be there. And they even shared their own experiences with treatment and recovery.

Personal connections are so important for women, which is why part of Crossroads for Women's treatment philosophy focuses on positive relationships, and a sail like this is much more than just a fun thing to do on a September evening.
Reflections on Therapeutic Horse Riding at Crossroads for Women
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Emily Van Strien, LADC, a counselor at Crossroads for Women, worked with clients at Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center in a pilot project that combines substance abuse treatment and therapeutic horseback riding. The project was funded in large part by the PRBB Foundation, along with assistance from the Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund and additional underwriting from Riding to the Top to complete the project. Below are Emily's reflections on the project.

When I was told last winter that I would be the counselor at Crossroads for Women Halfway House participating in a therapeutic horse riding grant that had been secured with Riding to the Top, I wasn't initially 100% clear as to how the two modalities fit together. I was accustomed to group therapy conducted on couches with regulated climate and white boards. I knew next to nothing about what therapeutic horse riding entailed, its versatility and capacity to touch deep emotional places in people.

What stands out most for me when reflecting back over the eighteen sessions are the metaphors that arose spontaneously, thus evoking unexpected insights into so many areas of our clients' lives. I remember one morning Duke being particularly nudgy, pushing his way into one woman's space even after she held up her hands asking him to back off. We laughed, but then used it as a learning moment of what to do when receiving unexpected attention, perhaps at a meeting from a man who doesn't seem to take a hint.

I remember one particular woman, convinced the horses didn't like her, describe having a breakthrough of insight into the relationships in her life when she was asked to look at her interactions with the horses from a different angle...Read More

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Crossroads for Women
Crossroads for Women addresses substance abuse and mental health so that women and their families can live healthy lives. FMI, call 207.773.9931 or visit our website.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Barbour
 
Jennifer Barbour, communications specialist
Crossroads for Women
In This Issue

Clients, Alumnae and Staff Make Strong Connections on Annual Sail

Reflections on Therapeutic Horse Riding

Commemorate Recovery with a Special Gift!*
Beaded Butterfly Faith Earrings
Beaded Butterfly Faith Earrings
Swarovski Fuchsia Butterfly Earrings with Venetian Glass Beads, Pewter Faith Bead and Sterling Silver French Hook Details

Each Day a New Beginning
Each Day a New Beginning
Daily Meditations for Women Details

*Crossroads for Women receives 12% in total sales
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From our Blog
Women & Substance Abuse blog

Inspirational Quotes to Celebrate
Recovery Month

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. To celebrate, here are some inspirational quotes taken from RealMentalHealth.com.
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
- Thomas Edison
Read More
Crossroads Links

Local Links

21 Reasons
211 Maine
AA Maine
Al-Anon Maine
MaineParents.net
ME Office of Substance Abuse
NA Maine
Nar-Anon Maine
MAAR
Substance Abuse Prevention, Portland

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