Recovery Connection - June 2022

Recovery Connection - June 2022

A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OUR VISION FOR 2025

Overcoming opioid dependence is one of the biggest challenges a person will ever face. I know because I’ve been there myself — so have many of the other staff members here at Recovery Connection. This firsthand experience matters because it shows our clients that there’s reason to hope for and work toward a better future. Perhaps even more importantly, it means we know what our clients are going through, and we treat them with the same compassion and respect we wish we’d had on our own journeys.

moments. When they have run-ins with the police or experience a custody battle, we stand by with our support. And if they decide they don’t want our help anymore, we’ll be ready and waiting for the day when they do. There are countless treatment options available throughout the country, but they haven’t affected overdose rates, which climbed to over 100,000 in 2021. Many rehabilitation programs are prohibitively expensive, have impossibly long waiting lists, or treat clients punitively. And many use methods that simply don’t work. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is currently underutilized, despite its proven results. That’s why we want to bring our recovery methods to more people in more places. Opioid dependence is a nationwide epidemic, not one unique to our tiny slice of the country. We know countless more people need our help but are currently being dismissed by so-called professionals. So, by 2025, we intend to expand throughout all of New England and the Mid- Atlantic Region — at least. Currently, we have 19 locations open. By 2025, we plan to make that 100. It won’t be an easy task — nothing about serving our clients is. In preparation for our rapid expansion, I have shifted my focus away from the daily work of running the Providence office to the bigger picture of expanding our services as quickly as possible. It would be easy for me to slow down and take a break, but the reality is that there’s too much work to be done. We plan to keep making a difference one client at a time with compassion, comfortable treatment spaces, and a determination never to turn away anyone who asks for our assistance. Recovery is possible; we’ve seen and experienced it ourselves. We plan to bring that message of hope and our evidence-based treatment to countless more people in the coming years.

(877) 557-3155 www.drughelp.com

JUNE 2022

It’s not easy to raise your hand and ask for help — especially when there’s

still so much stigma surrounding opioid

use. Many politicians, organizations, and community members claim they want to help, but their actions usually don’t align

with their words. They cut funding,

oppose reforms that will get at the root of substance abuse, and fight treatment centers in their neighborhoods. Worst of all, if someone seeking treatment resumes their use, they are often written off as a lost cause. It can almost feel like they cease being a human. We know that nobody is perfect — we’re certainly not. We

“BY 2025, WE INTEND TO EXPAND THROUGHOUT ALL OF NEW ENGLAND AND THE MID- ATLANTIC REGION.”

treat our clients like family because we genuinely care about what happens to them. When they’re struggling, we help them through their most difficult

–Michael Brier

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HOW YOUR ORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH LINK TOGETHER EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED

Our bodies are made up of many systems working together to keep us functional and healthy. It’s so complex that even scientists don’t understand how all of it works. But we do know that our health is a whole-body experience, and ignoring one aspect of our wellness will often lead to other problems down the line. Oral health is no exception. For example, poor dental health can contribute to cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can lead to gum disease. Still, most people don’t know that their oral and mental health are linked. Researchers have found that people who suffer from mental illnesses are more likely to develop oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. In fact, experts have identified several reasons for the apparent connection.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 280 million people across the globe are affected by depression. That’s about 5% of the adult population. Depression is more than just sadness, and it impacts people’s ability to think clearly and engage in regular activities. Oral care routines often fall by the wayside as a result, along with dental visits. This neglect of regular mouth maintenance can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Meanwhile, anxiety can make social interactions terrifying, and sufferers may have difficulty scheduling and attending dental appointments. Additionally, many people have a phobia of dentists that causes them to postpone care. Due to this anxiety or fear, oral health issues can go untreated and significantly worsen.

There are still more connections. People with eating disorders may experience dental erosion or low calcium levels that affect their teeth. Pain is a risk factor for depression, so existing oral pain can spark or worsen mental health problems. And while more research is needed, a 2019 study found a possible genetic link between depression and oral health conditions. If you’re struggling, you need to protect your mental and physical health. Talk to your doctor about what you’ve been experiencing, and be open to their recommendations. Treating your mind well will lead to better health and perhaps a happier and longer life. In addition to this, don’t forget to include your dentist in your plans for full-body health. They’re not trained mental health professionals, but they can provide helpful strategies to help you maintain your dental health while seeking treatment for your mental health as well. Be sure to tell your dentist about any medication you’re taking. Side effects from antidepressants can include dry mouth or teeth grinding, and your dentist can help you minimize the damage. Whatever you're going through, it's crucial to keep your entire health team engaged. Physicians, dentists, and therapists all have specialized roles, but outcomes are better when each specialty has the complete picture and can work together. Keep the lines of communication open — and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

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Making a meal plan is a pain, but you still want to get all your necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein through everyday foods. Even if you’re not a cooking expert, you can employ a few very simple cooking hacks in the dishes you commonly prepare! You'll be surprised how these little boosts can reap big, nutritious rewards. No. 1: Add quinoa to recipes. Want to add extra texture or color to your steamed white or brown rice? Mix it up with 1 cup of quinoa (any color) and another 2 cups of water or broth. Or, simply throw quinoa into any grain-friendly soup you’re preparing, like a simple chicken soup! Quinoa is rich in antioxidants and filled with fiber to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, reducing your risk of diabetes and heart disease. No. 2: Replace cream with almond, walnut, or oat milk. Cream is a popular mainstay in any American kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be dairy cream. Plant-based milk and creamer (such as almond, walnut, or oat milk) are often extra rich in vitamins and minerals and low in fat. They contain no cholesterol and are easy on your digestive system. Because they all have slightly different flavor profiles, you can pick your favorite! Walnut milk works surprisingly well in a creamy pasta sauce. 3 Easy Cooking Hacks for Better Nutrition

No. 3: Add frozen spinach to almost anything. Fresh spinach quickly loses its folate, powerful vitamins, and nutritional benefits over time, but spinach, frozen at its peak freshness, saves the day. That’s why frozen spinach is actually more nutritious than most fresh spinach at the supermarket! Whether it's for pasta, pizza, scrambled eggs, cheese dip, a smoothie, or curry, frozen spinach is more versatile than you might think. Plus, studies show spinach may have amino acids that help reduce stress and depression! (Bonus) No. 4: Add chia seeds to cold drinks, yogurt, baked desserts, and more! It’s easy to feel guilty for indulging your cravings for sweet tea, pudding, cookies, and cake. But if you add chia seeds, you might feel a little better about it! These small seeds are densely packed with antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which may promote heart health, support strong bones, and improve blood sugar management.

We hope these tips help make your favorite dishes a little more fun and guilt-free! Enjoy!

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers

TAKE A BREAK!

Inspired by RecipeRunner.com

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

For the Marinade • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 3 tbsp honey • Juice of 1 lime • 3/4 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp salt For the Skewers • 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes • 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes

1. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. In a reusable freezer bag, combine cubed chicken and all but 1/4 cup of the marinade. 3. Seal bag and massage marinade into the chicken. Chill in the fridge overnight. 4. The following day, preheat the grill to 400 F. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, adding two cubes of chicken for each cube of pineapple. 5. Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade in the final minutes. 6. Serve over rice or with your favorite barbecue sides!

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

(877) 557-3155 | www.drughelp.com 381 Wickenden Street | Providence, RI 02903 Offices Operating in Providence, RI; Brockton, Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Taunton, Worcester, Springfield, Natick

INSIDE

1.

Our Vision for the Future

2. Your Mental Health Can Affect Your Mouth 3. 3 Cooking Hacks to Eat Better Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers 4. Permanent Weight Loss Is Too Hard — Or Is It?

SPOILER: YOUR BODY IS SCARED OF IT WHY IS PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS SO HARD?

Losing weight is hard — and not just because creating new diet and exercise habits is difficult. The truth is that you’re working against your body’s natural instincts, which is to preserve weight. In other words, even when weight loss is the healthiest thing you can do for your body, physiologically, your body rarely realizes that.

A popular, effective way to think of weight loss is “calories in, calories out” (CICO). You want more calories going out than coming in because this helps sustain a caloric deficit which can assist in losing weight. However, not all calories affect your hormones the same way, and being overweight to begin with can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate an appropriate appetite.

As just one example, according to the Journal of Clinical Investigation, a diet with added fructose (high-fructose

corn syrup) is linked to insulin resistance, increased blood sugar levels, and higher triglyceride and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels — but if you replace fructose with regular sugars and glucose, the risk is noticeably less. That said, fruit with natural fructose does not appear to carry the same risks as added fructose. Our bodies are complex machines. Many factors beyond diet (genetics, medical comorbidities, long-standing diabetes, stress, sleep, etc.) can affect your ability to lose weight. The best path to a healthier weight is to move more and find multiple ways to live a healthier life, one small step at a time.

How does weight loss work? Complex interactions between hormones and neurons in your

So, how do I lose weight — for good?

hypothalamus control how much you weigh. Your hypothalamus controls your thirst, hunger, and body temperature. The chemicals that interact with the hypothalamus therefore influence your appetite and how much food you eat. In particular, fat cells in your body produce the hormone leptin, which then tells your body when you’ve stored enough fat, thus decreasing your appetite.

Even after following a new diet and exercise regimen, most people are likely to regain about 30%–35% of the weight they’ve lost after one year. After sacrificing those potato chips for sugar snap peas, this is frustrating! But we promise that some changes do help maintain permanent weight loss, including replacing processed foods in your diet.

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