To Our Good Mental Health

Did you know that New Hampshire is among the top 10 states with the highest alcohol consumption levels? During Alcohol Awareness Month and as the fiscal agent for Youth/CAN, a Drug-Free Communities prevention program, we focus on a few of the resources for those recovering from alcoholism.

Thanks to Dr. Squires, Chief Medical Officer, for writing this article -

Matthew Squires, MD

Here at West Central Behavioral Health, we have several programs and treatments for substance use disorders. We also reach out to neighboring organizations for help when appropriate.

Treatment for alcohol use disorder sometimes begins with a “detox” from alcohol. Quitting alcohol cold turkey can be dangerous or even fatal, so this is done at a hospital or special-purpose clinic equipped with labs, nurses, and other supports for this medical procedure.

Another advanced level of care is a residential sobriety program, where clients can attend group therapy and practice sober living in a supervised setting. We reach out to Headrest, Second Wind Foundation, and Sullivan House for nearby residential programs.

The next lower level of alcohol treatment is an Intensive Outpatient Program (“IOP”) that provides an intense combination of group therapy, individual therapy, and medication management. Clients attend the clinic for a few hours most days of the week. Again, while WCBH does not provide this level of service directly, we reach out to community partners such as The Doorway program.

At WCBH we are happy to manage medication to help with alcohol sobriety in an outpatient context. The medications take many forms, including some that control the urge to drink, and others that cause negative consequences if a person decides to drink. Outpatient treatment often includes individual or group substance use therapy, which we can provide at WCBH (depending on staffing levels). We can also direct clients to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the community.

In addition to alcohol treatment, WCBH can also assist with smoking cessation, and provide some of the treatments for opioid use disorder. WCBH is not currently equipped to provide methadone or suboxone for opioid use disorder, so in those cases, we again reach out to partner organizations like Habit OPCO or The Doorway.

Some History Behind Alcohol Awareness Month

National Alcohol Awareness Month began in 1987 and was established by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc. (NCADD).

April was chosen as Alcohol Awareness Month to raise awareness about the dangers of binge drinking and to encourage responsible attitudes toward alcohol.

During the month of April, NCADD uses traditional and social media campaigns to draw attention to the causes and risks of heavy drinking. The campaigns aim to educate people about the harmful effects of alcohol and to encourage individuals to seek help before it becomes fatal.

Pictured: Margaret Marty Mann, founder of NCADD.

Alcohol & Substance Use Disorder Resources

In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, we share some of the many local Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Resources.

Listed below are resources that offer shelter, supported work, community connection, or counseling for those seeking to make a change.

Headrest assists those affected by substance use disorder, experiencing a crisis, or in need of support by offering outpatient substance use disorder counseling, a low-intensity residential program, and Recovery Friendly Workplace/Employee Assistance Resource support. Support is also offered to the family members, friends, neighbors, and employers of Headrest clients.

headrest.org

Oasis Youth Resource Center is open weekday afternoons and provides teens a quiet space to complete homework, access computers, washers and dryers, a food shelf, and adult support. The Resource Center is also a safe space for teens to socialize. THRIVE Youth Recovery and Support Program is within the Oasis Youth Resource Center. 

clpnh.org



Second Growth counselors provide a variety of services to our community, including behavioral health care and Making Change teen groups in our office in White River Junction, prevention education and brief interventions in local schools, and summer programs for youth that provide enrichment- and resilience-building activities. 

secondgrowth.org

The Second Wind Foundation offers peer support services for individuals with substance use disorders and their family members. It operates The Upper Valley Turning Point Peer Recovery Center and two transitional recovery homes. Additionally, staff with lived experience offer navigation services for accessing treatment and individual recovery coaching.

uppervalleyturningpoint.org

Sullivan House fills a critical gap for people in substance use recovery by providing safe, clean, and affordable housing following the completion of a 28-day intensive outpatient program. This is accomplished through building structured connections with community resources and employment to facilitate a transition to community living. 

sullivancountynh.gov

The Doorway in Lebanon offers telephone and in-person screening and crisis stabilization, evaluation, care planning, facilitated referral, continuous recovery monitoring, Naloxone distribution, transportation assistance, same-day medications, and telephone and in-person support to loved ones.

dartmouth-hitchcock.org

TLC, in Claremont and Lebanon, provides direct support and resource navigation to individuals seeking recovery and folks impacted by another's addiction.

tlcfamilyrc.org

Save the Date!

Please join us.

The Lift of Blue:

An Exhibition for Mental Health Awareness at AVA Gallery and Art Center.

In the Linda Roesch Visual Arts Gallery

May 3-July 6, 2024 Opening reception and event: May 3rd, 5-7 pm Opening Remarks from West Central and AVA's leadership at 5:45 pm

Thank you to Eclipse for a Cause for donating eclipse glasses to our clients!

Help prevent substance misuse in your community! Youth/CAN will be at Claremont and Newport takeback locations.

"If you want something done ask a busy person" has been my motto during my career of working within the community, but recently I stumbled onto the following and my perspective has changed. "Every single person has capabilities, abilities, and gifts. Living a good life depends on whether those capabilities can be used, abilities expressed, and gifts given. If they are, the person will be valued, feel powerful, and be well-connected to people…The community around the person will be more powerful because of the contribution that person is making." These words remind me that everyone has something to offer. Sometimes they just need to be asked.

When I am at a tabling event, I am frequently approached by senior citizens and those in recovery. Both have lots of lived experience and want to help the younger generation navigate the journey and help avoid the mistakes they made. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to bring multi-generational recovery efforts together under the Youth/CAN umbrella. If we can accomplish these aspirational goals, we will truly be building community wellness!

~Scott Blewit, Youth/CAN Prevention Coordinator

Calling all Coaches!

Explore this Key Position: Career Coach

WCBH offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits program, opportunities for professional growth and development, a collaborative work environment, and full or part-time positions. On-site or hybrid work arrangements are dependent upon the position. Search our careers page to learn about all available positions.



Pictured: Kelly Glidden, Human Resources Generalist at

West Central.