The theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week is kindness. Are you showing kindness to your mind, your body, and those around you?

After enduring the stress and loneliness of stay-at-home orders and minor or major disruptions to work, school, and home life, we are now navigating the process of opening things back up and taking the first steps into the new normal of pandemic life. Whether you worry that we’re opening too quickly, or have been chafing under stay-at-home measures, you are probably finding yourself dealing with higher than normal levels of stress, anxiety, or depression.

You may find that you are reaching for drugs or alcohol in times, amounts, or frequencies that you never would have in the days before COVID-19 changed our lives. And if you were already struggling with drinking or using drugs, this pandemic may have made it that much harder to hold onto the reins of your addiction.

You might be struggling to incorporate healthy self-care practices and find yourself turning to food, sex, or other unhealthy behaviors for a temporary mood boost.

But, times of chaos are also times of opportunity. Healthy coping skills can be learned, new positive habits can be practiced, and you can think of the pandemic as a “reset button” to build yourself up and be stronger, happier, and better prepared to navigate the stressors of the new normal. And, with virtual 12-step groups, and treatment programs with telehealth options, you can start your journey to sobriety or better mental health from the safety of your own home.

So How is everyone doing? please feel free to post your comments. What you have to say matters! Behavioral Awareness Center continues to be open and provide services for all of our Clients as well as keeping are current hours of operation the same. We are also doing intakes so if you know anyone who is suffering from opiate addiction we are here and willing to help them change their lives. 

Groups have now taken on a new face and are being done via Zoom which many of you have participated in already and provided excellent feedback on ways to improve them. 
The Relapse prevention group is now being held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 by invitation only so if you would like to attend make sure we have a valid email address on file and you will be included. 

After reviewing Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Guidance provided by SAMSHA we have decided to make the following changes:

1. Any Client who is self pay with two week privileges will be able to pick up 28 days worth of medication.
Clients who have weekly privileges will be allowed to pick up 14 days worth of medication
Clients who are daily dosing will be allowed to pick up 7 days worth of medication provided they are stable.
All of the above changes go into effect immediately.
If you are an AHCCCS Client the maximum amount of doses you will be able to pick up is 14 days regardless of privilege level.  Should this change you will be notified.

2. Relapse Prevention, Family Groups will still be conducted as usual on-line via Zoom Meeting In person groups are canceled until further notice. Life skills 2 being held at the Joel D. Valdez Library is Canceled. 

3. ​All counseling sessions will be done via Zoom Meeting when possible.

That's Right Chef Anthony is coming back to Tucson to show us all how to prepare not a dinner this time but a gourmet breakfast on a budget. If you remember the last time he was here he showed everyone how to prepare a stuffed chicken breast with stuffed Portobello mushrooms along with a choice of sides such as rice or potatoes all for $4.75 PER PERSON Now that works!
I can't wait to see what he brings us this time. If you would like to attend please let the front desk know and they will get you on the list. Remember March 28th, 2020

The Rodeo was alot of fun and we had a really good turn out! Thank you for attending it is important to have fun in recovery and to find or rekindle old hobbies. It really does help prevent relapse. 

Relapse Prevention Fun in Sobriety
While using most individuals isolate themselves and give up the things that they once enjoyed doing, going to sporting events, going to the park for a picnic, going to the movies, and so on. An important part of recovery is learning how to have fun again. Getting back into society and enjoying the things that life has to offer. As part of the relapse prevention series of groups we do just that. We go to Hockey Games, Have BBQ’s at the park. Next month the Rodeo is coming to Tucson and we are going!!! We have a limited amount of tickets available so if you would like to go contact Ross to get you name on the list. Clients that have attended the most relapse prevention groups have priority after that it is first come first served so do not wait! Get your ticket now!
Ticket is for Client only and includes a meal if you intend to bring family you will need to purchase tickets at the box office 

You asked for it so we did it!  At our last stakeholder meeting Clients said that they would attend relapse prevention groups if they were held on Saturdays so as of January 1st, 2020 we now have relapse prevention group one saturday per month, and if the demand is high enoungh we will add additional Saturdays. Speak with your primary counselor or check the board for the current scheduled dates.