COURIER ONLINE
December 2022
|
|
The Connecticut Clearinghouse Newsletter |
|
Connecticut Clearinghouse is a library and resource center for information on substance use and mental health disorders, prevention, health promotion and wellness, treatment and recovery, and other related topics. |
|
CHANGE THE SCRIPT RESOURCE VAN |
|
The Change the Script Resource Van is booking events for 2023. We're already looking forward to visiting Bristol, Glastonbury & Hartford in 2023.
event today!
|
|
EDUCATIONAL FORUM - THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER! |
|
Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating
- Enjoy a healthy breakfast to help prevent overeating later on.
- Eat what’s best for you first. Fill at least half your plate with fresh fruit and veggies. You’ll have less room for the rest.
- Bring a healthy dish to a party.
- Fruit by itself makes an excellent dessert. Try placing a bowl of clementines or apples on the holiday table.
- Avoid beverages that are high in calories and sugar.
- Keep a food journal to help track what you’re eating.
- Instead of focusing on food, spend time with family, friends, and activities.
- Stay positive. If you eat more on some days, eat less on others. If you miss a workout, exercise a little longer the next day.
Source: NIH News In Health
|
|
Healthy Social Media Habits: How You Use it Matters
Technology has changed the way we interact with each other. Social media puts other people just keystrokes away. This helps some feel like they have more social support. But for others, it can increase isolation and depression.
Researchers are investigating how social media affects mental health. They’re learning that who you meet and what you find online can mean the difference between helpful and harmful effects.
Use Your Time Wisely
Logging into social media can lead you in many directions. Actively engaging and connecting with others online can help build your social supports—both online and offline. But spending many hours passively scrolling through upsetting content can send you spiraling into negative thoughts and feelings.
Increased social media use has been linked to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. But it’s not always clear which comes first: Is more time online causing the symptoms or a result of the symptoms?
Teens are especially at risk from the effects of social media. Studies have found links between patterns in teens’ social media use and mental health problems. Read more
Source: NIH News In Health
|
|
PREVENTION DURING THE HOLIDAYS
|
|
|
|
Listen and share the "Talk. They Hear You." podcast
The podcast focuses on the many opportunities available during this time of year to discuss the risks of underage drinking and other drug use with kids. You’ll hear directly from three moms with children of various ages providing their unique experiences and how they handle these situations.
|
|
Screen4Success
SAMHSA's Screen4Success asks questions about substance use, mental and physical health, general wellbeing, and family life. It provides an easy way for parents and caregivers to identify areas where their children may benefit from additional support. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to fill out the screener with their kids—this provides opportunities for discussion in the moment—but if that’s not possible, they can send it to them to complete on their own. Click here to learn how you can access Screen4Success
|
|
|
DECEMBER IS IMPAIRED DRIVING MONTH
|
|
The pre-holidays are known for being merry and bright, but they’re also known for being the deadliest season when it comes to buzzed driving. Every holiday season, lives are lost due to drunk drivers.
|
|
Resources on Impaired Driving Prevention Available at Connecticut Clearinghouse |
|
SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS IN RECOVERY DURING THE HOLIDAYS
|
|
NAVIGATING THE HOLIDAYS WHILE IN RECOVERY
|
|
SEPI-CT (Substance Exposed Pregnancy Initiative of Connecticut) aims to strengthen capacity at the community, provider, and systems levels to improve the health, and well-being of infants born substance-exposed through supporting the recovery of pregnant people and their families. This initiative is funded by CT DMHAS and CT DCF. Visit www.sepict.org to learn more.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENT: SMART RECOVERY'S
NEW YEAR'S EVE AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATION
|
|
SMART Recovery hosts a free online New Year’s Eve celebration that is open to the recovery community. It begins at 5:30am on 12/31/22 EST and continues with a meeting every hour until 3:30am EST on 1/1/23. It offers a lighthearted, entertaining, and supportive space for the entire SMART Recovery community across the globe during what can be a challenging holiday. It’s a unique way to give and receive support from others in recovery, meet new people, and participate in a festive recovery atmosphere.
SMART Recovery also offers daily meetings that can to address any harmful habit. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training and its practical tools and social supports are proven effective to support and sustain successful long-term life change. Harmful habits include substance use as well as other behaviors (like sex, relationships, spending, gambling, eating, exercise, and self-injury). No matter what the harmful habit, SMART can help a person change it. SMART’s science-based approach emphasizes
self-empowerment and self-reliance. SMART can be used both as a stand-alone program or in combination with other recovery paths.
|
|
Youth Recovery CT
Offers Meetings for
Teens and Young Adults using the SMART Recovery Model
|
Youth Recovery CT is statewide initiative that promotes self-empowerment and positive habit change for youth (ages 16-18) and young adults (ages 18-29) in Connecticut.
We offer free gatherings, informed by the science of the SMART Recovery model, to assist youth and young adults in living authentic, meaningful, and resilient lives.
|
|
|
Our meetings focus on how to cope with the challenges of everyday life without harming oneself with:
- alcohol or other drugs
- compulsive shopping or gambling
- self-harm behaviors
- vaping/smoking/nicotine
- food/body-focused behaviors
- excessive media/technology use
- unhealthy relationship patterns
We welcome anyone who is interested in learning strategies for changing any thoughts or behaviors that are interfering with their happiness.
Youth Recovery CT SMART Family and Friends Meetings:
Youth Recovery CT also hosts meetings for the family and friends of people struggling with substance use/other harmful behaviors. Family and Friends meetings teach positive communication skills, boundary setting, and tools for managing concerns about your loved one.
Interested in other Peer Support Options?
|
|
Contact Connecticut Clearinghouse to order pamphlets & posters, borrow books, ebooks, curricula or DVDs.
We offer mail or pick up.
Call 800.232.4424 or 860.793.9791.
Browse our Library Materials here
View our Recorded Webinars here
|
|
Has your email address changed? Would your co-worker like their own subscription? Click Here
|
|
Connecticut Clearinghouse is funded by the Connecticut Department
of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
