January 2016
In This Issue
Did You Know...? Why People Develop Substance Use Disorders
Monitoring the Future
Staff Recognition Luncheon
Residential Program Needs Your Help
Help the Open Eye Gallery
NAMI's Family-to-Family Classes
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Join Our Mailing List
Art and 
Special Events
Volunteer Opportunities
Residential Rehabilitation Program seeks volunteers with home remodeling experience to help repair homes occupied by the community members we serve.

To sign up or learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, email:
 
or
call 443-433-5906

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Art Program needs volunteers to help re-organize and beautify the art studio.
 
Join us on
Thursday, Feb. 4, 12p-3p
Friday, Feb. 5, 12:30p-3p
Friday, Feb. 11, 12p-3p
Friday, Feb. 19, 11a-2:30p
 
To sign up call:
 
Lindsey Aumick
443-433-5914
 
Monthly Meetings and Groups
Open Eye Gallery
Committee Meeting
All are welcome. 

To find out more, email:

or 
call 443-433-5961 
 
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NAMI Family Support Group
Thursday,  Feb. 11
7-8:30 p.m.
at Arundel Lodge

For more information: 

 Lodge Links 

Mental Health Links

NAMI Anne Arundel County 

 

On Our Own of Maryland 

 

SAMHSA 

 

Free Quitline to Stop Smoking

Onward and Upward!
A Letter From Our Executive Director

As we welcome 2016 with many aspirations for the future and new ways in which Arundel Lodge can continue to serve the community, we celebrate the accomplishments that so many have helped us realize in 2015: the Marcus Youth & Family Center at Arundel Lodge is now open and treating youth, 4-17 years of age; First Step Recovery Program is allowing Arundel Lodge to integrate care for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, as well as to provide treatment for primary substance use disorders; we have expanded services for Spanish-speaking community members with the addition of a second bilingual therapist, and services for the deaf with the addition of a second therapist, fluent in American Sign Language.
 
We also value established partnerships with other community organizations in which together we expand our reach.  Anne Arundel Medical Center helps us meet the overall healthcare needs of the people we serve by providing primary care services at Arundel Lodge, and consults with our Health Home team. With the Lighthouse Shelter, we reach individuals who are experiencing homelessness as they work their way back to stability. Anne Arundel Workforce Development and Arundel Lodge work to reach individuals experiencing the emotional stressors that come with long-term unemployment, as they embark on a new career path.

Even as Arundel Lodge grows to meet the ever-evolving needs of our community and adapts to changes in the healthcare environment, we must and will remain focused on continuing to provide the compassionate and high-quality residential and rehabilitation supports for which so many have relied upon us for over 40 years.
 
Thank you to our staff, donors, volunteers and community partners for helping us bridge the gap for critically needed services in Anne Arundel County. We look forward to working together to make 2016 another great year! 

Sincerely,


Mike Drummond
Executive Director
DID YOU KNOW...?

Why People Develop Substance Use Disorders

Substance Use Disorders can be devastating on many levels, causing the erosion of familial ties, social relationships and physical and emotional well-being. So why can't people who are using substances just stop? Why do they develop substance use disorders? It's not due to a lack of character or will power. It's chemistry! 

Research shows that drugs and alcohol alter brain chemistry in ways that promote continued drug use. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):  

Drugs contain chemicals that tap into the brain's communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information. There are at least two ways that drugs cause this disruption: (1) by imitating the brain's natural chemical messengers and (2) by overstimulating the "reward circuit" of the brain. 

So intense are these chemical reactions in the brain that they can be observed in brain imaging studies of individuals with substance use disorder, particularly in areas pertaining to judgement, decision making, learning and memory, and behavior control, reports indicate. 

But not everyone develops a substance use disorder...a variety of risk factors exist. The number of risk factors a person has, can determine their susceptibility to a substance use disorder. NIDA describes the following risk factors:

Biology. The genes that people are born with- in combination with environmental influences- account for about half of their addiction vulnerability. Additionally, gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may influence risk for drug abuse and addiction.

Environment. A person's environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to socioeconomic status and quality of life in general. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and quality of parenting can greatly influence the occurrence of drug abuse and the escalation to addiction in a person's life.

Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person's life to affect addiction vulnerability. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to more serious abuse, which poses a special challenge to adolescents. Because areas in their brains that govern decision making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, adolescents may be especially prone to risk-taking behaviors, including trying drugs of abuse.

Clearly, the best way to prevent substance use disorders is to stay away from drugs altogether, but as we are seeing in overwhelming numbers today, some individuals are led down the path of substance use, not through illicit drug use initially or at all, but through the legitimate means of prescription medications - opiod pain relievers, stimulants used to treat ADHD, and benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety and sleeping disorders, to name a few. These medications can have some of the same effects on the brain and body that illicit drugs have. As individuals use opiods, for example, to relieve pain, they may find that they begin to build up a "tolerence," needing more of the drug to achieve the same desired effect. Additionally, over time, stopping the drug can produce physical withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, muscle and bone ache, insomnia, vomiting diarrhea, cold flashes or chills, adding another complicated layer to quitting.

Physicians can help in the prevention of substance use disorders by surveying patients regarding possible risk factors, explaining the side-effects of medications and the potential risks associated with taking them. 

When substance use becomes a problem, NIDA reports that combining medication-assisted treatment with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success of recovery for most individuals. While relapse is not uncommon, it does not signal total failure. Like many other diseases, sometimes simply a new course of treatment needs to be charted. 

***

For more information on substance use disorder treatment contact Leigh Ragan, Arundel Lodge Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic Director or call 410-280-2333.
 

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Monitoring the Future
 
The National Institute on Health's 2015 Monitoring the Future survey, which tracks teen drug and alcohol use, shows a decrease in the use of alcohol, tobacco, and a number of illicit drugs among American youth. MDMA (street names: Molly or Ecstasy), cigarettes, prescription opioid, pain relievers, and synthetic cannabinoids ("synthetic marijuana") have all decreased in popularity, while Marijuana use remained high among 12th grade students, who continue to have a diminishing perception of its harmful risks.

The Monitoring the Futures study also noted that teen use of both alcohol and cigarettes reached their lowest points since the study began in 1975. 

Marcia Lee Taylor, President and CEO of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids stated, "While today's news about substance use among teens is mostly positive, we cannot let that take our focus off of the prescription drug and heroin crisis among other age groups. As a country, we need to focus more of our attention and resources on prevention and early intervention, rather than cleaning up a problem once it has reached epidemic levels." 

Groups of students across the country are planning educational events and spreading awareness about substance use disorders during the fifth annual  National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) to be held January, 26th through 31st. The campaign will link students with scientists and other experts to combat the myths about drugs and alcohol that teens pick up from the internet, TV, movies, music, or from friends. Over a thousand educational events are expected to take place around the country to help "Shatter the Myth" about drugs and alcohol.

Recovery Advocate, Chris Herren of the Herren Project and teens from The Park School of Baltimore team up with NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) to help 
"Shatter the Myths" about drugs and alcohol. 



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Staff Recognition Luncheon

On December 4th, Arundel Lodge celebrated its dedicated staff members at our annual Staff Awards Luncheon. Staff were recognized for their hard work and accomplishments with a delicious lunch, awards and kind words from lead staff members.

Thank you to ALL Arundel Lodge staff for helping to improve the lives of youth and adults living with mental health and substance use disorders and congratulations to our award recipients!
  
Earnestine Coleman and    Dawn Padon
Jennipha Greogory and      Jane Sinclair





      













Program Leadership Awards
Bay Ridge..............................................Darris Green
Supported Employment............................Jane Sinclair
Deaf Program.........................................Earnestine Coleman
Behavioral Health Home...........................Mary Campbell
Fresh Start Program................................Emily Demaio
MICA Program........................................Ray Ruyter
Day Program..........................................Cinthya Trejo
Supportive Living....................................Bronte Vaughn
Customer Service....................................Patricia Garcia
Clinic.....................................................Kim Colquhoun
Facilities................................................Ahmed Kpaka
Business Office........................................Chris Ramsey
Senior Program.......................................Toni McCrimmon
 
Employee of the Quarter: Tanya St. John
Employee of the Year: Cindy Garmoe
 
Superlative Awards
Stacy Stinner & Peter Palmquist: Rookies of the Year (employee in his/her first year that has put forth an outstanding effort to learn his/her job to serve our clients and exmeplifies excellence in daily performance)

Leon Fossett: Mentor of the Year (for outstanding skill and dedication in guiding or instructing other employees, interns, or volunteers, and passing on the values of Arundel Lodge)

Aimee Wiggs: Team Player (exemplifies the best in team values and whose contributions to a team performance are outstanding)

Blake Moomau: Best Kept Secret (always willing to pitch in, dependable, responsible, and encouraging, yet is rarely recognized outside of his/her circle of co-workers)

Tiffany Widmer: Carefree Gum (most laid back and goes with the flow) 

Rachel Keller: Dewey Decimal (most organized)

Denise Pacheco: Carpe Diem (positive attitude)

Edra Oliver: Take the Bull by the Horns (takes charge and gets the job done!)

Recognition of Achievement
LaShandra Oliver
Elias Richer


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Seeking Home Renovators and Contractors!

Our Residential program is seeking people with home renovating experience or contractors who would like to volunteer their time to help remodel homes occupied by community members in our Residential Rehabilitation Program. Our Residential Program provides specialized services for persons with mental health disorders who are also deaf; elderly; diagnosed with chronic medical conditions; have substance use disorders; developmental disabilities; need intensive supports; or are in transition to living independently. 

Arundel Lodge has 32 residences throughout Anne Arundel County that up to 110 individuals can call home.

Help is needed in the following areas:
  • Kitchen remodeling (Painting and refinishing cabinets)
  • Dining Room repairs (Repair and replace flooring)
  • Bathroom repairs (Repair ceiling, flooring, painting)
  • Deck Removal (Dismantle outdoor deck)
  • Fence Removal (Dismantle fence)
  • New Roof (Provide roofing materials, labor and installation)
If you would like to improve the lives of these individuals by helping to keep their homes welcoming and safe, please contact Cindy Garmoe, Volunteer Coordinator at (443) 433-5900 or by email at [email protected].
 
To help us purchase the materials we need for our projects, click the donate button below:

DonateNow


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Help the Open Eye Gallery
                         
The Open Eye Gallery is currently expanding its program and is in need of volunteers to help re-organize and beautify their space.

The Open Eye Studio will be a new facet of the Open Eye Gallery with the goal of developing a robust community of artists from Arundel Lodge and the community at large. Our aim is to foster awareness, encourage creative expression, and provide additional opportunities for growth among all Studio members.  

At this time, help is needed cleaning out and sorting through art materials in the studio to make way for our new furniture and storage system.

Join us on the following days:

Thursday, Feb. 4th, 12pm-3pm
Friday, Feb. 5th, 12:30pm-3pm
Friday, Feb. 11th, 12pm-3pm 
Friday, Feb. 19th, 11am-2:30pm

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact, Volunteer Coordinator, Cindy Garmoe at (443) 433-5906 or Lindsey Aumick at (443) 433-5914.


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Register now for NAMI's Family-to-Family Classes!


What is the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program?

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 12 session education program for family, partners, friends and significant others of adults living with mental illness. The course is designed to help all family members understand and support their loved one living with mental illness, while maintaining their own well-being. The course includes information on the biological, psychological and social aspects of illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions. Thousands of families described the program as life-changing. The program is taught by trained teachers who are also family members and know what it is like to have a loved one living with mental illness.

Register for the next NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program Tuesdays, February 16th through May 3rd, 2016, 6:30pm - 9:00pm, at Belcher Pavilion, 7th Floor, Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD. 

Pre-registration required:
E-mail or call Pat at [email protected]  
or (410) 647-6233




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