2012 Hazelden Annual Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2012 GRATITUDE Today we are grateful. REPORT 4165-1 2013AnnualReport-FINAL.indd 1 5/3/13 9:46 AM COVER Art Colorful Burst “ The gray/black is a representation of my addiction in my past, and the vibrant colors coming through represent my recovery overpowering my addiction. The gray/black is still there because I am able to acknowledge my past yet not dwell on it.” ~ A Hazelden youth alumna and art therapy student Mission Hazelden helps restore hope, healing, and health to people affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Vision All who seek recovery will find it, and the stigma of addiction will be overcome. Values • Treat the whole person as well as the illness. • Treat every person with dignity and respect. • Continue a commitment to the Twelve Step fellowship. • Be of service. • Remain open to innovation. 4165-1 2013AnnualReport-FINAL.indd 2 5/3/13 9:46 AM TODAY WE ARE GRATEFUL Dear Friends of Hazelden, 03 Every day, we at Hazelden receive heartfelt and very touching • Because of you, we opened an intensive outpatient clinic at expressions of gratitude. It would be tempting to claim these Tribeca Twelve in New York City, enhancing our care for those words for ourselves and wear them as a badge of honor for a who are returning to college; an outpatient clinic in Chaska, job well done. Instead, we are humbled and motivated. Most Minnesota, that offers working families convenient access to important, we are inspired to redirect the gratitude to you— care; and an outpatient clinic in Beaverton, Oregon, that focuses where it belongs. on co-occurring disorders and pain management. Thank you for helping us to grow and reach more people who need our help. We made tremendous strides in 2012, especially in expanding the continuum of our youth services and implementing • Because of you, our Graduate School of Addiction Studies Paul L. Gossling innovative clinical treatment programs for high-risk patients. secured a 10-year reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Here are just a few of the year’s highlights: Commission. Thank you for helping us send our qualified, compassionate graduates into the world. • Because of you, we launched the expansion and renovation of our campus for youth and families at Hazelden in Plymouth, As we continue this work in 2013, with a special focus on Minnesota. As this annual report goes to press, we are happy recovery management and long-term recovery, we’re honored to to report that Phase 1 (the expansion) is complete, and Phase have the leadership of The Honorable Susan Fox Gillis, Cook II (the renovation of the old space) is well underway. If you County Circuit Court Associate Judge, as our new Board of haven’t had the pleasure of seeing the newly constructed wing, Trustees Chair. Please join us in welcoming her to the helm. Mark G. Mishek let us help you visualize the sun-drenched entrance, the sky- high gymnasium with a climbing wall, the cozy but communal To get an idea of the impact you have made, consider the words living spaces, the soundproof music room, the state-of-the-art of a young man who received treatment at Hazelden in Plymouth: classrooms, and the calming meditation room. When young “It’s nice to wake up every day and feel good, to look at the people come through those doors, their apprehension is quickly opportunities I have, and to act on them. It feels good to feel replaced with hope—and when they leave, they shower our good.” Turn the page to read his story and the stories of others staff with their thanks. who, like us, can hardly find the words to express our gratitude. Sincerely, • Because of you, we implemented new protocols for treating opioid addicts, an especially vulnerable patient population Susan Fox Gillis at high risk of relapse and even death. Through enhanced programming that includes medication-assisted treatment, long-term monitoring, and peer coaching, we’re able to offer these patients significantly improved chances for long-term Paul L. Gossling Mark G. Mishek recovery. Thank you for helping Hazelden to become a leader Chair, Hazelden Board of Trustees President and CEO in offering this specialized programming within the tried-and- true context of the Twelve Steps. 4165-1 2013AnnualReport-FINAL.indd 3 5/3/13 9:46 AM Sharon and Phil: Loving and grateful parents and empathic and generous friends to young people in need of treatment for addiction. 4165-1 2013AnnualReport-FINAL.indd 4 5/3/13 9:46 AM TODAY WE ARE GRATEFUL :: FOR FAMILY 05 Sharon and Phil L. Their determination, commitment, and love built a stronger family. Sharon and Phil: When we took our son Ben to Hazelden, we were in a Hazelden taught us so much: We learned that we didn’t cause Ben’s disease, state of disbelief. Never in a million years had we imagined that we would that we can’t cure it or control it. We learned that we needed to stay out of the be walking through those doors. way of his recovery process. We learned that we had not “failed” as parents. We have always been a strong family grounded in faith and love for each Wonderful changes began to happen, including the ability to have healthy other. But when Ben entered his junior year in high school, we found dialogue with our son on so many levels. We realized we could apply ourselves descending rapidly into a living nightmare. We knew that he the principles of recovery to our own lives, principles that can benefit was not coping well with the added responsibilities and pressures of a anyone and everyone. Our compassion and empathy for others was very competitive, challenging school environment. And we knew he was deepened. Whatever façade there was dropped away, and love, family and struggling to answer the questions that every young man asks himself: relationships took center stage. “Who am I? What am I doing here? What is my purpose in life?” We did Ben returned home to us as a mature young man with a startling amount not turn away from the fact that he was using drugs and alcohol to fill the of insight. We regularly look at one another and express how grateful we void, and we came to realize that until that problem was addressed, none are for our sons, for how much fun we have together, and for how much of the other issues could be resolved. stronger we are as individuals and as a family. We were, however, a little naive. We thought Ben would finish 28 days in Ben: It’s nice to wake up every day and feel good, to look at the treatment and be home by Christmas. We had no idea that he’d be gone opportunities I have, and to act on them. It feels good to feel good. I’m for another three months in long-term care and another five months in studying economics and teaching and competing in mixed martial arts. a residential treatment home thousands of miles away. If someone had I’m grateful for my parents, who supported me in everything from the told us that we would lose our 16-year-old son for nine months, we don’t very start. They are awesome people. I’m honored to be their son. And I’m know what we would have done. It ripped our hearts out. grateful for my brother, David; he is my best friend. Those nine months put us through the greatest test of our lives. You David: Ben has made a complete turnaround in his life, and I’m extremely are emotional every day, trying to decide the next best thing to do for proud of him. He’s a hard worker, determined, positive, and very devoted your child. Life throws other curves: a parent dies, a family business is to living his sober lifestyle. He and my parents have really opened my transitioned, another son prepares for college. Throughout the process, we eyes to see that when I face my own struggles in life, it’s possible to work stayed connected and determined—as parents and as a couple. through them. Ben is my best friend; the only bad thing is, I just can’t keep up with his jiu-jitsu. 4165-1 2013AnnualReport-FINAL.indd 5 5/3/13 9:46 AM Rod: Husband, father, builder, and Knutson Construction project supervisor with a big heart for youth and all those who need Hazelden services. 4165-1 2013AnnualReport-FINAL.indd 6 5/3/13 9:46 AM TODAY WE ARE GRATEFUL :: FOR THE OPPORTUNITY 07 Rod S. For this project, he uses his head, hands, and heart. As a longtime construction professional in Minnesota, I’ve had the honor properly diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder. My own experience and the privilege to work on many buildings that give our community has given me a great deal of empathy not only for the kids I see here its unique identity: the Guthrie Theater, the Ordway, and Children’s every day but also their parents. I understand their confusion and their Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, just to name a few. fear very well. But one of the projects closest to my heart is the renovation and expansion I use my head and my hands for this work. But, for my son, I put my of Hazelden’s campus for young people and their families in Plymouth. heart into it as well. I’m grateful for the opportunity to make an impact.