j u ly 2 0 11
keys of
Our Mission
offering A Chance To Change For Those Whose
Lives Are Affected By Addictions And Related Behavioral Disorders upcoming events_____________ Problem Gambling Workshop August 27, 2011, 4–5:30pm Wickline Methodist Church 417 Mid-America Boulevard Midwest City, OK 73110-5698 For more information on this event, please contact Emily White at 840-9000 or by email at ewhite@achancetochange.org.
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A Chance to Change receives funding in part from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the United Way of Central Oklahoma, fees and insurance, and generous donations from individuals, corporations, and private foundations.
Change a publication of A Chance To Change Foundation
Daughter, Wife: Staci’s Story Mother, Opiate Addict Finds Recovery My name is Staci* and I am conquering my battle with drugs and alcohol. At age 12, I broke my elbow and that was my first experience with drugs. Taking that little white pill with blue speckles turned my world around. The moment that I experienced the euphoria of the high, I was hooked. Anytime I had the opportunity to go to the doctor and say I was in pain, I took. Around age 15, I took my first drink and again felt that feeling of euphoria. So that got me out of reality too, but I was not a fan of the hangover. At 16, I experimented with the club drug ecstasy and it was better than both prescription drugs and alcohol. The only fall back was that when I didn’t have it in my system, I would become severely depressed. So depressed that when I was 17, I attempted on two different occasions to take my own life, which landed me in psychiatric treatment both times. Here I learned the damage I was doing to my body and how the drug ecstasy affects your moods. That is what was causing me to go into the terrible depressive states that I was in. From then on I only used prescription drugs and alcohol. I honestly believe that my drug of choice became the prescription pain pills because I like the high better. I didn’t see how it was affecting my everyday life.
A Chance to Change Staff, 2011
On June 3, 2010, I woke up and had come to realize I had a problem. I was lying to everyone around me and I had gotten to a point where I could not function on a “normal” basis without having some form of opiate in my system. I was disgusted with myself, with what I had become. I had everything riding on the fence at that point. My addiction cost me my career, my spouse and almost my children. It was on that day that I confessed everything to my employer, who asked me to resign, so I did; to my spouse at the time, who said we’re done; and to my family, who was surprised and disappointed, but supported me for being honest and wanting to get help. So my journey to recovery began. It has been a trying journey, but a rewarding one as well. I’m now a couple days shy of being 9 months clean and sober and I have never felt better! I’m going to school to pursue my dream career of being a special education teacher and starting my life over. My motto use to be “just get through the day.” Now, it’s “live life on life’s terms,” and “make every second count!” * This name has been changed for her privacy.
a chance to succeed:
success
a
storyof
From a student:
I use to just party at everyone’s house. Now, I try to talk to my
I am fortunate to have counselors from A Chance to Change come
drugs. Addiction to drugs can be so harmful that we do not even
to my school to talk about different things that affect our lives. They
realize it. Also, I never realized how quickly someone could become
have talked about our families, relationships, drugs and alcohol,
addicted to drugs. I know of other students who have been in a coma
abuse, and addictions.
or who have died because of drug overdose. It is only then, and
I still have some resentment towards my father for leaving, but I
meeting with the counselors that has made me realize that there is
can better cope with my feelings. I now think about positive things
more to life than getting drunk and high.
instead of how he treated me and my mother when I was growing up.
I am appreciative to the counselors who come to school and talk to
With help from the counselors, I have learned to build relationships,
us. I have acquired a lot of knowledge from them. I know that what
and I understand why some things happen. I do not always like the
we say cannot be shared with the other teachers, as everything we
outcome, for instance my parents, but I have learned to think about
say is confidential. The counselors always meet with us every week.
everyone’s feelings involved in different situations. I will always
I look forward to just sitting down and letting them know how I feel
know my mother cares about me and I have a good relationship with
about certain things. I know if there is anything I want to know, all I
her. I have gained a lot of respect for my mother over the years.
have to do is ask.
friends about how their future can be better without the help of
A Celebration of RECOVERy With the support of our community, A Chance
Riley will receive the Jim McGuinness Award, which
to Change provides substance abuse education,
was named for another special individual who
prevention, and counseling to thousands. The agency
supported A Chance to Change and who helped many
will be honoring one of these special people who helps
people recover from chemical dependency.
change lives. ACTC is excited to announce that the special honoree for 2012 is Jim Riley. We are honored to announce that Bob Stoops has accepted the position of honorary chairman, and Jamie Reineke will be the committee chairperson. Riley was a University of Oklahoma all American football player and NFL football player for the Miami Dolphins, winning a super bowl. Riley has succeeded in recovery from his own battle with addiction. He has also made the choice to reach out to many others suffering from the disease of addiction.
Join us at 6:00 p.m. for A Celebration of Recovery, February 23, 2012, at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.
“Jim has helped so many people who have suffered addictions to find recovery over the years. We believe
For information on sponsorship or tickets, call
he is very deserving of this award,” Jamie Reineke,
(405) 840-9000 or email swageck@achancetochange.org.
Committee Chairperson.
mily r a f
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& THE
ADDICTION E ducation S eries Have questions concerning drugs, alcohol and how to get help for the entire family?
Get answers: A Chance to Change
Addiction Education Series Each Monday, 6:30pm–8pm When it comes to the disease of addiction, many people do not understand that it is not just the addict who is affected. Addiction is a family disease. Each member of the family plays a role and likewise each member of the family needs to be involved in the recovery processes. Addicts must learn about the natural consequences of life. However, this is unlikely to happen if their loved ones do not seek help as well. Enabling and codependency are two common destructive behaviors in the family that go along with aiding addiction.
The 7 C’s are a simple way to help family members understand their part in this lifestyle:
I did not Cause it:
You must first come to terms with the fact that you did not make anyone start using.
Boy Scouts of America Bldg 3031 NW 64th St, OKC This six-part series consists of the following topics: • Understanding Chemical Dependency • How Addiction Affects Families • Enabling — The Helping That Hurts
I cannot Control it:
• Codependency — Hidden Fears, Hidden Tears
I cannot Cure it:
• Intervention, Treatment and Recovery — Hope for Tomorrow
Next it is vital to remember you cannot change someone or make them stop using.
Addiction is a disease, you can’t cure it, but people can work to get better.
You can learn to take Care of yourself:
• Understanding Addictive Behaviors
Regardless of your age, you can use the next 3 C’s to help Care for yourself.
Communicating my feelings:
Do not hold everything inside; talk to someone safe about what you are feeling.
Making healthy Choices:
Choose to take good care of yourself, and choose to be drug-free.
Celebrating myself:
Remind yourself that there are great things about you and that you like yourself!
By keeping these 7 C’s in mind and by participating in recovery through individual, group and/or family counseling, you will be helping the addict, yourself and your whole family heal. For more information on family recovery, please join us on Monday nights for our “Addiction Education Series: How Addiction Affects the Family” or call our office at 840-9000.
Free to the Public No pre-registration required No late admittance Written verification of attendance is available for a $5 fee Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
For more information and specific date for each topic, visit
www.achancetochange.org or call 405-840-9000.
5228 Classen Cir. • Oklahoma City, OK 73118-4429 www.achancetochange.org
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A Chance to Change Foundation Staff Jo Ann Pearce, Executive Director Hal Vorse, MD, Medical Director Rose Braun, Case Manager Rita Crockett, Clinical Director Travis Ernst, Counselor Beth Filson, Records Coordinator Melissa Gorman, Counselor Peggy Grady, Counselor Trent Hancock, Counselor Susie Harrigan, Counselor Mary Ann Heard, Office Assistant Stephany Jones, Accounting Assistant Cynthia Laxton, Compliance Coordinator Danette McCorkle, Counselor
volunteers
Nan McGowen, Pott’s Chance to Serve Veronica Middleton, Accounting Assistant Karla Reitz, Intake Coordinator Mary Robbins, Counselor Cynthia Sherbon, Counselor David Swope, Director of E.A.P. Services/ Compliance Director Tilden Tillotson, Business Manager Sherri L. Wageck, Administrative Assistant Joe Westerheide, Director of Training and Supervision Emily White, Public Relations Coordinator
officers and board of directors Executive Committee Chairman: Tony Say Vice Chairman: Marsh Pitman Treasurer: David Durrett Secretary: Mike Hensley Asst. Treasurer: Jidge Verity Past Chairman: Ron Carr
Board of Directors Dan Batchelor William Bozalis Hank Bradley Spence Carson Sara Cunningham Susan Edwards J. Don Harris Mark Harsha Lorrie Jacobs Mark Lynn, MD Mark McCubbin Allen Paine Mark Potts Jamie Reineke Hugh Rice Becky Shaffer Frank Turner JimWebb
uco student group volunteers at a chance to change on saturday, march 5, for the annual uco big event
We would like to hear from you! Tell us what topics or programs you’d like to hear more about.