Few people in today’s society can say that their lives have not been touched in some way by the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. The tentacles of addiction reach everywhere and do not discriminate. Wealth or status cannot protect, nor does will power or religion. Nobody is immune. The good news is that people can and do recover from drug and alcohol addiction. It happens all around the world on a daily basis. It happens here in the Red River Valley, far more often than people realize. There are still those who fall through the cracks of traditional treatment and recovery models, however. Fortunately, people like those at Lost and Found Ministry in Moorhead are thinking outside the box to give those battling addiction more options for recovery.
Lost and Found Ministry is a program of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Since 1987, it has been providing a wide array of programs and services to those in need throughout the Red River Valley and beyond. According to Executive Director Denise Peterson, Lost and Found is a “Christian messenger of healing for those who struggle with addiction.” Through programs ranging from chemical addiction interventions and evaluations to professional or pastoral counseling, Lost and Found focuses on helping both the addict and his/her family. In addition, the organization houses a vast collection of addiction and recovery materials in its on-site library, all of which are available at no cost.
Although Lost and Found Ministry has been a fixture in the recovery community for over twenty-five years, it wants to do more. An empty space adjacent to the organization’s current location and a vision for an enhanced recovery model was the motivation behind Lost and Found’s new program called reGROUP. Funded in part by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health – Alcohol, Drugs, and Abuse Division, reGROUP is a program that utilizes peer advocates to assist others with not only recovery, but with long-term recovery. “It is the wounded healer approach of peers helping peers,” explained Rev. John Roberts, who presides over the Recovery Church in Fargo.
According to Peterson, the recovery model is moving away from a crisis-oriented model towards one that focuses on long-term recovery. Because treatment programs focus largely on getting addicts through the initial stages of recovery, it isn’t uncommon for those in early recovery to struggle once on their own. “Recovery is for a lifetime,” Peterson explained. “We want to help enable addicts to live the life they would like to live.” reGROUP will use a three-pronged approach to assist addicts who are experiencing difficulties in their recovery: a Telephone Recovery Support Program, Recovery Coaching, and a Wellness and Recovery program. reGROUP is not intended to replace existing recovery programs that are offered throughout the region, but is instead intended to enhance and improve the options available. “There are many paths to recovery,” explained Roberts. “We don’t choose.”
reGROUP is modeled after the program offered by the Minnesota Recovery Connection, whose motto is “Connect, Recovery, Advocate, and Serve.” When Peterson began discussing the option of bringing the program here to Moorhead, she was happily surprised by the level of support and excitement the idea generated. “It was clear that the time was right,” she said. “We fed off everyone’s enthusiasm.” One of the first things that needed to be done was to create a suitable environment for the program. The space next to Lost and Found’s offices seemed a perfect fit, but it needed a great deal of renovation. Like so often happens within the recovery community, volunteers came out of the woodwork to get the job done. Spearheaded by Wayne Christianson, volunteers contributed over $20,000 worth of time and labor donations. Area organizations chipped in as well to provide the supplies and equipment necessary to get the program up and running. Gate City Federal Bank provides chairs for the space, Regals Appliance donates appliances, and Brown & Saenger assisted with the space design. Recovery is truly a community effort, and our community appears up for the challenge.
One of the goals of the program is to continue to increase awareness and improve the public’s perceptions about those who struggle with addiction. “The perception is still that of the guy under the bridge,” Roberts said. “We want to present a new face to the public that shows recovery works; that there is life outside addiction.” Because of public perception, a deep sense of shame often accompanies an addict into recovery. Eliminating that shame is another important goal of reGROUP. “We want to remove the stigma of alcohol addiction by coming out of the shadows,” Peterson explained. “When we hide in the shadows we allow others to define us.” She urges the recovery community to not let anyone define who or what they are.
Although the specifics of reGROUP are in the planning stages, the vision of the program is crystal clear. That vision will first materialize in the Telephone Recovery Support Program. Through this program, trained volunteers from the recovery community will reach out by phone to individuals seeking recovery in order to connect them to the resources they need. The telephone program could be a vital addition to the recovery puzzle for many people, especially in rural areas where support can be hard to find. According to Peterson, this type of recovery program has never been done in Minnesota.
September is National Recovery Month. The theme for the program’s 25th year is, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up, Reach Out.” It seems fitting that Lost and Found Ministry is launching reGROUP during this inspirational month. The program will not succeed, however, without the support of both the recovery community and the greater Red River Valley as a whole. Addiction and recovery is a community issue that needs a community response. Ask yourself how you can help: the answers will come if you search for them.
reGROUP will be holding its grand opening on Tuesday, September 23rd. A ribbon cutting will be held at 4:00pm followed by an open house until 7:00pm. Anyone interested in supporting the program or simply learning more about addiction and recovery are welcome to attend. Please help spread the word!
“My family supported me during the tough times of my recovery, but some folks in recovery don’t have that family support. reGROUP is a way to get the support you need to stay strong.” Advisory Board
Member Joan B.
