Bridge House Gave Me the Break I Needed Holistic Health
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Rebuilding Lives for Men and Women with Dignity, Honor & Respect Vol. 29 No. 3 A News Publication of Bridge House / Grace House Fall 2013 Holistic Health: Bridge House An expansion of our services for the women of Grace House in partnership with Tulane School of Medicine gave me the break I needed Else Pedersen CEO leaves the remaining 80% identified as from a Bridge House alumnus For many years we have uninsured. This consider- spoken of the holistic health ably narrows the options for My name is Jeff, and I am an alco- approach that we provide for health care treatment. As a holic. I have been sober, in recovery, our residents. Bridge House result, the wait time for spe- since May 6, 2010, the day I checked / Grace House addresses the cialized female healthcare into the substance abuse treatment physical, psychological and can be very long. These are program at Bridge House. spiritual needs of those who women that have already That admission has not always been seek services through us. experienced a lot of stigma easy for me to make, even when I Our treatment approaches as a marginalized popula- knew it to be true. In my mind I was support these pillars of holis- tion due to their addictive not the ‘stereotypical’ alcoholic: I was tic health, and for the ser- disorder. Coupled with a law school graduate with a promis- vices that we cannot provide Else Pedersen all of these barriers is the ing future who had just had a string in-house, we traditionally re- undeniable fear of what the of bad luck, a young kid just making fer to resources that may be lifestyle of addiction may up for a mild college career by drink- available in the community. have amplified in the areas ing and sometimes carrying it a little We have come to realize that in the of female health. The unpleasant truth too far, who thought the drinking was specific area of women’s health needs is that through intravenous drug use, something I could always turn off when we need and want to do a better job. sex for money or unprotected sex, this the time called for it. Problem was that You may not be aware, but upon enter- population is at an exponentially higher time never came. risk for sexually transmitted infections ing treatment only about 20% of our The night before taking the Louisi- and other issues exclusive to females residents qualify for Medicaid. This ana Bar Exam, I was arrested for my that are related to the lifestyle from second DWI. While sitting in jail, I which they are desperately May 1-July 31, 2013 concocted various ridiculous scenarios By The Numbers trying to separate themselves. in my head how it would be ok. Some- With the realization of this clinic Calls for Help: 2,441 how I managed to get released and we can provide these women passed the exam, but I still could not with their absolute best chance Daily Capacity: 212 focus on living a productive life. at sustained recovery. The lack These numbers reflect the over- of services translates into a I floundered along for another year whelming demand for our substance lack of “caring” that in turn fuels or so managing to get by until one abuse treatment services the feelings of worthlessness of my best friends sat down with me and defeat that often lead to and forced me to take a look at the For treatment call 504-821-7120 relapse. We are aware that by problems in my life: I was unable HEALTH continued on p. 2 BREAK continued on p. 10 02 Bridge House / Grace House Client Centered Treatment HEALTH continued from p. 1 addressing this issue we are extending Executive Director of Clinical Ser- to demystify the treatment process. A even greater hope for better opportunities vices Bridge House / Grace House great deal of information is shared in a in a life of sobriety. Bridge House / Grace House strives to manner that is understandable with the uphold the highest clinical standards client during the orientation process. By locating a clinic at the Camp Street and best practices This is designed to empower the client location there will be a natural collabora- in our residen- to achieve maximum benefit tion between the clinical team and the tial substance from the services provided. counseling team. The two teams will abuse treatment Client rights and responsi- assure the resident of a reasonable and programs. We bilities, the client grievance clinically appropriate approach to any take pride in a process, how to provide in- problems identified. Health education will person centered put to Bridge House / Grace also be provided to boost continued self- approach to care House, the confidentiality awareness and healthy choices. where the client is policy, program rules, how We have partnered with the Tulane actively involved the treatment plan is devel- School of Medicine to make this clinic a in their treat- oped, services provided, and reality. This presents a unique education- ment process. All discharge / transition criteria al opportunity to these medical students Michelle Gaiennie clients are treated are some of the many topics as well. The students will become in- with dignity, honor covered in the client orienta- formed of the health problems surround- and respect in a very comfortable tion during the first week of treatment. ing addictive disorders. Often, symptoms therapeutic environment. The men The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and signs of addictive disorders are receive treatment in our state of the is administered to all clients by their neglected in medical education. art treatment facility at 4150 Earhart counselor during their first week of The community at large benefits when Boulevard. The women’s treatment lo- treatment. The ASI is designed to people with addictive disorders receive cations are at the historic Grace House address seven potential problem meaningful treatment. Grace house resi- at 1401 Delachaise Street and at 1160 areas in clients with substance abuse dents will gain the knowledge and tools to Camp Street. We want the clients to problems: medical status, employment make better decisions around their sexual feel that Bridge House or Grace House and support, drug use, alcohol use, health post-treatment. Their informed is their home while they are receiving legal status, family/social status and decisions can stem the alarming prolifera- treatment services and living at one of psychiatric status. The ASI provides tion of sexually transmitted infections in our facilities. an overview of problems related to our community. Their sustained recovery The treatment process begins in our substance abuse rather than focusing also correlates to the reduction of crime, intake department where individuals on one single area. the rebuilding of families and a decrease come for screening and assessment The information gained from the ASI is in the number of homeless individuals in prior to admission to Bridge House or used in the development of the client’s our community. Women in recovery are Grace House. We recognize that this individualized treatment plan which is better suited to find employment, support is a very frightening time for clients also developed during the first week themselves and reunite with their families and we do everything we can to make of treatment through an interactive and children. it welcoming. Most people have a fear process with the counselor and the cli- For more information as well as how to of the unknown and there are many ent. A client identifies the issues he or support our efforts, please continue with unknowns coming into treatment. We she would like to address in treatment the article Making the Grace House Clinic have a structured orientation process with their counselor and they develop a Reality on page 3. that begins at admission with our realistic goals and objectives. The Thank you for your ongoing support of intake counselors and continues with treatment plan is updated throughout Bridge House / Grace House. the client’s personal counselor that treatment and all clients receive a copy they are assigned on their first day in of their treatment plan. Else Pedersen MBA, LAC treatment. The client orientation serves Two other key documents are the [email protected] 504.821.7122 CLIENT continued on p. 7 03 Bridge House / Grace House Making the Grace House Clinic a Reality From the Marketing Department needs of women in recovery. So we an abusive partner or raise a family. I Last year we told you about the birth of are creating a female-friendly women’s had a network of support from family our dream of the Grace House Wom- clinic at the Grace House location on and friends. And at the end of it all, I en’s Clinic that came in response to Camp Street. was lucky enough to have normal test dramatic unmet health We are partnering results. needs of our female with Tulane Medi- But I must be honest when I say that residents. Since then, cal School to build those immensely fortunate circum- we have been working a one-stop shop for stances do not alleviate the shame to make our dream comprehensive treat- that I felt, and to some degree still become a reality. We ment, education, and feel, as a result of that humiliating first are grateful to have prevention. By work- experience. secured investments ing with Tulane Medi- I want to help create this clinic to keep from three different cal Students, we also other women from having that experi- local foundations to hope to create a class ence.