The Loop - Nevada (September 2023)

GreetingsfromWestCareNevada,

Forthoseofusinthehelpingprofessions, September couldbeviewedasone of the busier months since both Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Monthtakecenterstagenationally.However,thoseofusdedicatedtotreating individuals with mental health and/or substance use related issues should be activelyraisingawarenessandcelebratingrecovery365daysayear.

These efforts to reduce stigma, promote access to treatment - all while providing hope and support for those on their journey in recovery, cannot necessarilybesuccessfulifweonlybringsuchissuestolightonemonthoutof ayear.Instead,itrequiresatransformativeandongoingprocessofhighlighting resilience, strength, and the sheer determination demonstrated by individuals, families,andcommunities.

You see, I truly believe in strength in numbers, because we become more powerful and effective when we work together collectively. I believe that a greaterpoweremergeswhenpeoplecometogethertoaddressthechallenges we face today in our society. We also become stronger when we embrace diversityasitleadstoamorecomprehensiveapproachtosolvingproblems.

This is why we are also celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in this issue of the Loop. It is vital that we honor the heritage, culture, traditions, and contributions of Latinos within this community, while also considering their

overall health and wellbeing in their ability to access needed treatment and supportiveservicesforthemselvesand/ortheirlovedones.

We also asked staff who were willing to write about what recovery means to them,sointhisissue,youwillreadwhatBrody,David,Jennifer,Sashia,and Victorhadtosayfromtheirownperspectives.

So, as we continue in our efforts to send the message that everyone can recover,heal,andthrive-wemustwillinglybeambassadorsofhopeforthose still suffering by participating in events that are organized to educate and promote the fact that no matter what an individual is going through and no matter who they are, help is out there. We do this by Uplifting the Human Spirittoanyoneandeveryoneweencounter.

2023 National Recovery Month - Recovery is Possible!

Second Chance at Life Every Day

By Brody Santini, Clinical Manager, Harris Springs Ranch

OnJune13th,2016,Idecidedtotryanewwayoflife

Afterseventreatmentcenters,multiplerelapses,andafailedsuicideattempt,thepainofusingbecamegreaterthanthe pain I felt without the substances I decided to practice trust and faith, believing that if I followed the suggestions of others,Icouldhavealifebeyondmywildestdreams Iwastoldtofocusononedayatatime,andifthatwastoomuch, go second by second Seconds turned into hours, hours turned into days, which turned into months, leading to seven yearsofcontinuoussobriety Today,Ihavealifebeyondmywildestdreams Recoverygivesmeasecondchanceatlife everyday Recoverytomemeanseverything,asitistheonlythingthatcannotbetakenawayfromme Recoverygives meanopportunitytobethesonmyfamilydeservesandbearesponsibleandproductivememberofsociety Ihavenotonlyseenthismiracleoccurinmylifebutinthelivesofmanyclientsaswell WorkingatWestCareallowsme the opportunity to meet individuals at their lowest points in life and to watch them grow as they progress through the levels of care This gives me a daily reminder that this miracle is possible and available to all Recovery doesn’t just impact the individual It creates waves that impact their families and communities The work we do truly does Uplift the HumanSpirit Iambeyondgratefulformyrecoveryandtheopportunityitgivesmeeverydaytobeapartofthehealing, growth,andchangethatoccursatWestCare

Not Enough Words

By David Folds, Behavioral Health Tech, 4th Street

Here to Learn a New Way to Live

By Jennifer Nunn, Behavioral Health Tech, Women and Children’s Campus

TherearenotenoughwordsintheEnglishdictionarytodescribewhat recovery means to me Recovery is so much more than just getting sober It'sasenseofsecurityandrelief

When it comes to recovery, you have to understand that life takes on a whole new meaning The things we took for granted, all the small things in our past lives, we begin to regain appreciation for those small things like dignity, integrity, and confidence At one time, we were so insecure of the things we had done and the negative thoughts we had of ourselves, like we didn’t even matter Thanks to recovery,thoseinsecuritiesaregone

After three and a half years of being sober, recovery has become a very important aspect of my life, and I'm truly blessed to have those around me who support my recovery and the family I have built becauseofit

IamnewtoWestCareandnewtorecovery Iamcominguponmytwoyearanniversaryofbeingcleanandsober,thoughtherearetimesIstill feellikethatshaking,scaredgirlwhoshuffledintodetox,barelyableto stand

Today, I can stand secure and solid on the rock on which a loving higher power placed me Recovery means living life one day at a time, one prayer at a time I am a vital part of my daughter’s life again after spending nine years apart due to my alcoholism I am a part of my family again I show up, even when I don’t feel like it I ask for forgiveness and clean up my messes as they come because they sure do come Recovery does not mean perfection, though sometimes I think that would be nice I am here to learn a new way to live, starting withthethoughtsIallowmyselftofocuson

Recovery is about what we do with the gift we have been given and howweshowupforothers

2023 National Recovery Month - Recovery is Possible!

Recovery is Priceless

By Sashia Whitmire, Program Supervisor, 4th Street

I am a woman in long-term recovery from substance abuse and mental illness I have been in recovery since May 3, 2007 When I began my journey of healing, it was difficult to unlearn the negative habits and behaviors that I was accustomed to However, I did manage to do so, and today, I can proudly say I have recovered from active addiction Today, I get to be a person who practices maintaining my recovery and continuation of living a life full of positive and beautifulhabitsandbehaviorsthatrepresentmeasahumbleandcaringhumanbeing

Recovery to me is priceless When I look back and see how I was affected by the disease of addiction and mental disorders,IseejusthowmuchIhavechangedandhowmuchmylifehasimproved IfInevergottoexperiencethegift of recovery, I wouldn’t know the joys that I know today I wouldn’t have the self-esteem and purpose I have today I wouldn’t be the loving, caring daughter, mother, and grandmother, or the hardworking employee, or the curious and excitedstudentthatIamtoday

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art Sometimes, I think of myself,mylife,andmyrecoveryasakintsugivase

Reclaiming Myself

By Victor Resendez, Case Manager, Fatherhood FIRE

By Leo Magrdichian, Vice President of Operations

On August 31, WestCare Nevada did its part for International Overdose Awareness Day by participating in a community event to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with overdose Hundreds attended the International Overdose Day 2023 event at the Chuck Minker Sports Complex for a time to remember, a time to act, a time to support one another, and a time to provide and receive resources to a community who have one way or another been impacted byoverdose

The sharing of personal stories, the candlelight vigil, and the work towards raising awareness, minus any stigma, definitely had an impact in relation to increasing the support needed for individuals and families astheynavigatesubstanceuse-relatedissues Theeventalsopromoted healing for those impacted by the rise in overdose-related deaths and injuries in our community, and the way policymakers, providers, and the recovery community came together at this event truly demonstrated the positive impact associated with a community that is willing to link arms togetherandreducethetragedyofoverdose

I'm a recovering addict, and I'm a grateful believer in Jesus Christ Recovery,tome,meansliberation Evenaftermorethantwoyearsin my journey, recovery has been like peeling the layers of an onion, with both tears of joy and tears of sadness It represents a courageous decision to embark on a healing journey to address the painandthestrugglesthathaveshapedmylife

Layer by layer, I have uncovered the hidden strength within myself Everytearshedhasreleasedthebuilt-upemotionsthathaveheldme captive for far too long With each layer peeled away, I have discovered forgiveness – not just for others, but for myself This newfound freedom means reclaiming my life, dreams, and sense of self

I'm now able to embrace the power to create a future filled with joy, love,andpeace

Uplifting the Human Spirit

National Hispanic Heritage Month

By Andrew Moran, Development Director, WestCare Foundation

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 and celebrates the history and cultures of the Hispanic community in our nation September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence daysonSeptember16andSeptember18,respectively

According to the latest census by the City of North Las Vegas, 40% of its residents are Hispanic or Latino, and it continues to grow In 2022, Ruth Garcia Anderson became the city’s first Latina councilwoman, while Ward 1haslongbeenrepresentedbyIsaacBaron,thefirstHispanicmayorprotemandfirstHispanicmemberoftheNorthLasVegascitycouncil

North Las Vegas and newly elected Mayor Pamela Goynes Brown celebrated this National Hispanic Heritage Month by enjoying the diverse Hispanic culture and recognizing community members and officially proclaimed the day Hispanic Heritage Month for the city of North Las Vegas

On September 14, City Hall had a kickoff event that featured official ceremonies of El Grito de Dolores, mariachis, out-of-town headliners, and more We applaud the city of North Las Vegas and thank Mayor Goynes Brown and her staff for shining a light on this amazing month We appreciateworkingandcollaboratingwiththemtomakeourcommunitythe strongestpossible!

2023 Beast Feast at Women and Children’s Campus & Harris Springs Ranch

ByMarelCordova,WestCareAlumni

Being part of the WestCare family and alumni, I was honored and privileged to attend the annual Beast Feast event, giving back so freely what was given to me We had food and games For food, we had baked beans, ribs, and, of course, steak You can never go wrong with steak! Various alumni helped out in different ways: seasoning the steak, cooking the beans, or hosting games with the clients from the Women and Children’s Campus What I love most about any Beast Feast event is how everyone works together to create this event for the current clients However, this isn’t just for the clients but also for us alumni It takes us back to where we come from and to never forget we once sat on those chairs; we were once broken, and we were once not lifted and without spirit Now,wejoinWestCareinUpliftingtheHumanSpirit!

ByHubertErgenbright,BehavioralHealthTech,HSR

Thisyear’sannualBeastFeastatHarrisSpringsRanchwasachallenging one HurricaneHilarydestroyedtheroadthatledtotheranchsite,somuch ofitwasclosedtothepublic This,however,didnotstopouralumnifamily! They four-wheeled their way through the rough and rainy terrain without hesitation Our clients enjoyed food, games, and sobriety Thank you very much to our alumni family for making this event possible in spite of the conditions!

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