I believe an important report was recently issued by the Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy, at the beginning of May of this year. I see this report as having repercussions for all Americans of all ages as well as special ramifications for those of us wrestling with issues of addiction and …

The Minnesota Rural Detox Initiative provides help to critical access hospitals across Minnesota to place SUD (substance use disorder) individuals at the closest, quickest, and most relevant level of care for addiction detox and treatment. The Minnesota Rural Detox Initiative (MNRDI) is a project of MARATP (Minnesota Alliance of Rural Addiction Treatment Programs) that will …

It was May and I had just passed through the most painful period of my life. I was 51 years old and living alone in the same city I had lived with my family for the past twenty years. On warm evenings, I sat in a lawn chair and enjoyed the setting sun. One evening, …

Are you looking for a unique destination to explore that’s within easy reach? Consider taking a day trip to discover the hidden gems in your backyard. With Minnesota and our neighboring states brimming with a wealth of experiences and attractions, you’re bound to find something that suits your interests. Embarking on day trips and experiencing …

Probably the most important decision you will ever make in your lifetime is who to choose as a loving mate. How much you will feel loved and are able to love, how well your children will be raised, how much meaning you find in life and how happy you are well into your later years …

We feature an expert in the mental health and substance use disorder field to answer questions. This issue we talk to Dr. Rochelle Gredvig of Nystrom and Associates about dissociative disorders. What is your current role at Nystrom & Associates? What inspired you to do the work that you’re doing? I’m a clinical diagnostician and …

Keeping health care coverage, a key for those in recovery — and those seeking it Recovery from substance use disorder requires a person to be able to focus on healing their whole self – mind, body and spirit. Having health care coverage is a critical resource that provides the help that you need to focus …

I know it’s retreat time when I skitter from one activity to the next, squeezing one more thing in the five minutes between my last activity and the next. My life moves at the pace of a rushing river rather than meandering stream. Yup, time to go offline for a while. I am reading the …

Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC), a community-based organization, provides peer-to-peer support, public education, and advocacy for people seeking or sustaining recovery from substance use disorders. In this interview (edited for length), Wendy Jones, MRC’s executive director since 2018, shares highlights from her experience as she leaves her position. What attracted you to MRC in the first …

As a veteran of the 12 Step groups, I continue to be amazed by the wisdom contained within the 12 Steps. I am struck by the new awarenesses that emerge in my Wednesday night group as we share reflections and experiences week after week. Such discussions never get old. Each Step is like a seed …