HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Hello,
It has been said, that feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. With 2019 coming- to- a- close in just a few short weeks, at The Morton Center, we hope that this holiday season and the year ahead, hold great things in store for you and your family.
I’m most grateful to our donors, the continued generosity of time and talent of our Board of Directors; our dedicated and talented staff, who constantly strive to provide the very best programs and service for our community; our alumni, who pitch in and help in so many ways; and our many partners in the community.
None of this would be possible without you, our community.
We rely on our network of dedicated donors, advocates, families and staff members to fuel our progress as an agency and ensure a Happy New Year for the people we serve.
Thank you for your continued support of The Morton Center. To you and yours, I wish Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.
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Priscilla McIntosh
Chief Executive Officer
The Morton Center, Inc.
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Winter Programming News: Spotlight on
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
"Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with
counseling and behavioral therapies
, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat these disorders, and for some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery. Learn about many of the
substance use disorders
that MAT is designed to address."
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"The Doctor's Opinion"
Ashley Peak, MD, ABPN, ABAM
Medical Director
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder is considered the gold standard in care. Evidence-based studies clearly show reduction in rates of fatal overdose, spread of infectious disease, and overall improvement in quality of life and function. Medications, such as Naltrexone, Vivitrol, and Buprenorphine, when combined with intensive therapy and support from the community, can make a significant difference in a persons life. At the Morton Center, we individualize each treatment plan to meet the needs of each client. We offer MAT and follow up with each client closely. Family members are encouraged to participate in education about recovery and relapse prevention plans as well as couples or family therapy when needed.
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The Clinician's Point of View
Katherine Phillips, LPATA, TCADC
Holiday Anxiety
“Like depression, the effects of anxiety extend beyond the body and mind to the entire being, affecting not only one’s sense of well-being but also health, longevity, work productivity, relationships—the entire human condition.” ― Henry Emmons, The Chemistry of Calm: A Powerful, Drug-Free Plan to Quiet Your Fears and Overcome Your Anxiety
Anxiety can be surprisingly hard to understand and manage, despite affecting so many people. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that around 40 million Americans (age 18+) are impacted by anxiety disorders every year, and these common conditions can certainly be exacerbated by the stress of the holidays. Managing finances, juggling our professional and personal lives, awkward family dynamics, and the challenges of interstate travel are just a few examples of complications that can pop up as the year draws to a close.
When we are living with an anxiety disorder, our brain gets stuck in a state of hyperarousal. Instincts that were developed to help keep us safe get cranked up to 11, and our brain forgets how to hit the “OFF” switch. This can leave a person vulnerable to exaggerated reactions to things that are perceived as threatening. With so much to do and so many people to see during the holidays, it’s no wonder some of us find ourselves struggling to manage it all.
If you or a loved one are overwhelmed with anxiety during the all the hustle and bustle, here are some helpful coping strategies for inviting the calm to come back in:
Take some deep breaths.
I know, you’ve heard all this before, but it truly works! Concentrating on your breath pulls your mental focus away from anxious thoughts and back toward your physical being. Slowing your respiratory rate also helps your heart rate to decrease and tension to dissipate. For an added bonus, try a meditation app on your mobile device that includes a focus on breathing. Sometimes having someone (or something) else guide you through the process helps to keep your mind from wandering back to troublesome topics.
Get moving!
Anxiety can be immobilizing, causing us to withdraw and isolate. Instead, try going for a walk, playing with your pet, or dancing in your living room. Physical activity works much the same way deep breathing does; it helps to regulate the body’s physiological responses to stress, and exercise gives us an outlet for the pent-up nervous energy. Exercise also acts as a natural antidepressant by stimulating the release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin.
Talk with someone you trust.
When your thoughts have become unruly, a friendly ear to listen can be the best medicine. Not only do we feel less anxious when we experience connection with others but sharing with the right person can lead to a shift in perspective so that our problems don’t seem so overwhelming after all. And remember, if you don’t feel safe sharing with family or friends, you can always reach out to an on-call therapist or an anonymous hotline.
Take care of yourself this season! May you have the Happiest of Holidays and an Inspiring New Year in 2020!
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The Research
Use of Pharmacotherapies in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders and Opioid Dependence in Primary Care
First published in
BioMed Research International,
Volume 2015, Article ID 137020,
Substance-related and addictive disorders are chronic relapsing conditions that substantially impact public health. Effective treatments for these disorders require addressing substance use/dependence comprehensively as well as other associated comorbidities. Comprehensive addressing of substance use in a medical setting involves screening for substance use, addressing substance use directly with the patient, and formulating an appropriate intervention. For alcohol dependence and opioid dependence, pharmacotherapies are available that are safe and effective when utilized in a comprehensive treatment paradigm, such as medication assisted treatment. In primary care, substance use disorders involving alcohol, illicit opioids, and prescription opioid abuse are common among patients who seek primary care services. Primary care providers report low levels of preparedness and confidence in identifying substance-related and addictive disorders and providing appropriate care and treatment. However, new models of service delivery in primary care for individuals with substance-related and addictive disorders are being developed to promote screening, care and treatment, and relapse prevention. The education and training of primary care providers utilizing approved medications for the treatment of alcohol use disorders and opioid dependence in a primary care setting would have important public health impact and reduce the burden of alcohol abuse and opioid dependence.
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Reading List
Overcoming Opioid Addiction: The Authoritative Medical Guide for Patients, Families, Doctors, and Therapists
"From a leading addiction expert, a desperately needed medical guide to understanding, treating, and finally defeating opioid use disorder
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50, claiming more lives than the AIDs epidemic did at its peak. Opioid abuse accounts for two-thirds of these overdoses, with over 100 Americans dying from opioid overdoses every day.
Now
Overcoming Opioid Addiction
provides a comprehensive medical guide for opioid use disorder (OUD) sufferers, their loved ones, clinicians, and other professionals."
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Staff Spotlight
Ashley Peak, MD, ABPN, ABAM
Medical Director
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Dr. Ashley Peak is an Addiction Psychiatrist who works with individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders and mental health symptoms to improve vitality, restore functioning, and promote resilience. Dr. Peak believes treatment plans must be evidence-based, individualized, integrative, and should address the loss of intimate connections in an individual’s life. Dr. Peak has worked
in hospital settings, private practice, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, detoxification and rehabilitation centers, and is up-to-date on evidence-based medication management and psychodynamic therapy. She is board-certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine and completed residency training at the University of Louisville. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Peak enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and playing clarinet.
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Louisville man sheds light on coping with addiction during the holidays.
WLKY Digital Team - November 27, 2019
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Dealing with addiction during the holiday season.
While many of us are happy when the holidays roll around, for people struggling with addiction it can be a mixed bag.
Morgan Lentes sat down with one man who explains what it is like to be in recovery this time of year.
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Support The Morton Center
More than 23 million Americans have a drug or alcohol abuse problem, but only 10 percent will get the treatment they need. Your tax-deductible donation will help us provide services to individuals that otherwise could not afford treatment, and provide support to their loved ones.
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About The Morton Center
The Morton Center is a full-service addiction recovery facility offering professional counseling and therapy, as well as prevention and educational services, for individuals and families struggling with substance abuse issues. Since 1984, our customized, holistic approach has helped to reengage individuals and their families with lives of meaning and purpose often lost in addiction.
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Contact us:
The Morton Center - 1028 Barret Avenue, Louisville, KY 40204
ph. 502-451-1221
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