November 2010

Greetings from Crossroads in the land of over 10,000 lakes and an equal number of Treatment Centers and Addiction Support Meetings. My husband pointed out to me the other day that I seem to start my letters with references to our cold weather, so I will make no remarks about how unbelievably cold our winters can be (oops!) and simply say, “GO VIKINGS!”

As I think about new words I can use to talk about the battle with addictions, I find that the message is basically the same from year to year. Professionals in the field of addiction studies and counseling continue searching for the magic cure. Perhaps a new medication or counseling technique that will finally bring an end to this societal problem. And why is it that people are still getting “hooked”? Here is my answer. First of all, we humans are “creatures of habit”. We try something and it is pleasurable and in all likelihood we will repeat the experience again, and again. The trouble starts when that experience is either harmful or illegal. Addiction is cunning, and seldom identifies itself until it’s too late…after the person is hooked. Then the battle is how to break free. And so no new words, just more battle-gear.

This past year Crossroads admitted over a 140 people from throughout the nation as well as from other countries. They come seeking a way to rebuild a life taken over by addiction. Treatment is the first step in the recovery process. Where a person goes following treatment is critical. Returning to the same setting with the same people and the same memories (triggers) can be a set-up for failure at a point when a person is starving for success. Many have drifted away from family, friends or past interests. They have moved into a world of pain, isolation and hopelessness. Make no mistake; addiction is brutal, taking its toll on both the physical and psychological well-being of the addict.

The goal at Crossroads is to guide the addicted person down a path that leads to freedom. We work to address all the issues and concerns of our residents; from job, school, family, legal problems and, most certainly, their battered self-esteem. Many times we ask for the support and involvement of family members who feel as helpless and alone as the addict. We all meet together where everyone gets their time to speak their minds. Some are eager to step into the thick of it, and do whatever is called for, while others are fed-up and want to distance themselves from the chaos of the illness. Those that pull away are most often the families who have been wounded by getting hopes up only to feel the sadness and disappointment of failed attempts at recovery. However, when everyone is involved: families, counselors and the addict with honest and open disclosure of thoughts and feelings, we are in a better position to move through the recovery process.

One of the things that makes Crossroads Aftercare so successful is that all our residents come to us by choice. In our admission interview we make it very clear that if they don’t want to be here they should go. When they choose to stay, they take ownership of their recovery and make the commitment to work hard. Another feature of Crossroads that I think is extremely valuable is that our residents can live with us up to two years. They have time to experience dealing with some of the following situations without running to their personal addiction…such as, disappointment, family conflicts, funerals, weddings, birthdays and all the “firsts” that come with holidays, like the first New Years Eve! Addiction didn’t happen overnight nor will recovery. I say give people a fighting chance and not a quick fix.

As a non-profit organization, we make every effort to hold down expenses and keep the program affordable to our residents, some of whom struggle with just getting through the day. Crossroads receives no county, state, or federal funding and has only two sources of revenue, resident monthly fees and the kindness of people sending in donations.

So here is my plea, please consider giving a donation to Crossroads to support us in our mission to serve those suffering from addiction. Help us to help them finally break free!! You can choose the following methods for donating; go to our website www.crossroadsaftercare.org and click on “donations” which offers you 4 ways to give, or simply put a check in the mail or whatever works best for you. Any way it comes, we will be extremely grateful.

With warmest regards,

Sharron Johnson
Executive Director

Follow your dream…take one step at a time…               
and don’t settle for less. Just continue to climb.                
Follow your dream….if you stumble don’t lose sight of the goal,
press on to the top….                                     

For only on the top can we see the whole view.         

Amanda Bradley                    

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