Month: January 2022

Meriden, Connecticut Residents Clash with Local Sober House Operator

Many Meriden residents are opposed to the city’s intention to open a sober house on an unoccupied duplex on Myrtle Street. 

 The city intends to build a drug- and alcohol-free living space for 12 persons in recovery at the property, but neighbors such as certified daycare provider Blanca Mercado are outraged. 

 “I’m angry. I’m angry because they didn’t let us know. I don’t think it’s fair,” Mercado stated. 


Is another Sober house ideal?

According to neighbors, this would be the neighborhood’s fourth “sober house,” and with a school bus stop on the corner and children nearby, Elizabeth Sanchez, who fosters seven underage girls, thinks that this one is simply too close. 

“My backyard is connected right to theirs, and I have a pool,”  Sanchez explained. “I’m there to help these girls and having these men there, I don’t think that’s right.” 

For the time being, the structure remains vacant. The city temporarily shut it down, claiming that the owner failed to apply for the required certificate to operate a sober house and that development within the structure began without a permit. 

 After then, city officials claim there is little else they can do. “The city of Meriden’s hands are tied when it comes to zoning. We have to follow the state’s guidelines and state’s statutes,” “Dominick Caruso, Meriden’s director of planning and development, stated. 


According to the Department of Mental Health and Addictional Services, the sober living residence is unrelated to the state and anyone can open a “sober house.” Because recovery homes do not provide treatment, they are exempt from licensing requirements. 


Our Sober house directory is a great place to start looking for houses, but it’s ultimately up to you to choose the ideal one for you. While certification and a respectable outer appearance are good places to start, you should do additional research before making a decision. Please don’t be afraid to ask!

While many homes offer good sober living, we recommend Vanderburgh House since they helped us create this guide. 

 If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run a sober house, we recommend contacting Vanderburgh Communities, the nation’s first organisation to grant sober living charters. Keep an optimistic attitude and enjoy each day! 

Read more on our website:  Motherhood in Recovery 


References 

  1. Ratliff, J, NBCUniversal Media, LLC. (2015, March 18). Neighbors Fight Plans for Sober House in Meriden. NBC Connecticut. Neighbors Fight Plans for Sober House in Meriden – NBC Connecticut 

Addiction Treatment and Art Therapy in Massachusetts

When you decide to seek help for your addiction, you have a lot of options when it comes to which sort of therapy to pursue. From traditional medicine-based treatments to more holistic and cognitive-based techniques, all solutions have a connection to mending your emotional and mental processes, so you may successfully begin a new chapter in long-term rehabilitation. Art therapy is one of the more unorthodox yet successful ways to treat addiction 


What is art therapy and how does it work?  

Art therapy is a type of treatment that incorporates many forms of art to promote mental and emotional recovery. It’s founded on the premise that being openly creative can promote a sense of emotional healing and mental wellbeing that can’t be articulated through words or actions in the traditional sense.  


What are the different types of art therapy? 

Art therapy can be done in a variety of ways, ranging from physical expression to creative expression using simple words or images. The following are some of the most prevalent types of art therapy:

    1. Acting  
    2. Painting  
    3. Dancing  
    4. Drawing  
    5. Sculpting  
    6. Writing Poetry  
    7. Composing music 

What are the objectives of art therapy?  

The purpose of art therapy is for the participant to get a better understanding of himself or herself. A patient’s cognitive and sensory functions will improve as a result of art therapy. A patient may also have to deal with  

  • a higher sense of self-worth,  
  • Emotional awareness of one’s own and others’ feelings  
  • a greater sense of self-awareness. 
  • coping mechanisms that are healthy, and  
  • a deeper understanding of their own actions, ideas, and feelings. 

 As a person creates artwork using the technique that most interests them, they might reflect on questions like how the piece made them feel throughout the production process, what emotions it portrays, and why they chose to express their feelings through that particular art form. Art therapy relies heavily on self-reflection. Self-improvement through self-expression necessitates not only creating but also comprehending the product.  

 


How effective is art therapy for addiction Treatment in Massachusetts?  

 Breaking the addiction cycle via self-reflection and accountability of past ideas, emotions, and acts that were triggers for substance use is one of the key ideals of substance use treatment. You can get more connected to your inner being by using the 12-step recovery program in conjunction with art therapy. Through art therapy, you learn and practice appropriate coping skills for times when triggers arise on your recovery path.  

  Art therapy also assists in improving your self-esteem, which can be extremely low during and after your addiction owing to feelings of regret, embarrassment, and negativity brought on by substance abuse. Art therapy is frequently referred to as expressive therapy since it allows each patient, or artist, to create unique pieces based on their specific feelings and experiences. Making art allows you to open up and share your narrative with others, which is an important element of long-term recovery. It’s critical to come to grips with your flaws if you want to recover from them.  

When used in conjunction with other therapies in your rehabilitation, art therapy is most beneficial. You will be able to choose the optimal path for your journey by working directly with your therapist and sponsor. Do you want to learn more about how art therapy can help you or someone you know with their recovery? Please contact us right away to determine if this therapy is right for you! 

 


Vanderburgh House was established with the goal of creating recovery-oriented communities that are dedicated to each resident’s achievement. Our sober living homes provide a structured and recovery-focused atmosphere, guided by caring House Managers who are committed to assisting our residents in reclaiming their lives free of drugs and alcohol.

Most of our homes are run by self-employed Owner/Operators who collaborate with Vanderburgh House to provide sober living in their neighborhoods. As a member of our collaborative of sober living Operators, Vanderburgh Communities gives Charters to Operators who want to run their own sober living home in partnership with us. This is your chance to learn more if you want to create your own sober house. We welcome you to meet with us to learn more about this exciting chance to give back to your community.

We’re delighted to be introducing the Sober House Directory, a digitalised tool carefully designed to help you find the right and ideal sober living homes in your area for you or your loved one. All hope is not lost if any of our Vanderburgh Home does not meet your criteria.

Read more on our website:  Is Drug Addiction More Stigmatized Than Mental Health?  


References 

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