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ANYONE REMOTELYCONNECTED TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE can agree that addiction isn’t simple and doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s messy and complicated, often drawing in families, friends, and co-workers.
With that in mind, OhioGuidestone takes a holistic approach to treatment and recovery, often involving those very people who are impacted by their client’s illness and vested in seeing their loved one get better. OhioGuidestone treats not just the illness, but the family around the person who is suffering, creating a support system to keep everyone on a healthy path.
“We have the benefit of an ongoing community-based research program and over 158 years of experience to understand what works,” said Brant Russell, CEO of OhioGuidestone.
He says OhioGuidestone’s Institute of Family & Community Impact puts science and research into creating best practices for setting children and families on a healthy path. The research has resulted in multiple evidence-based practices that have been published and shared across the United States.
One conclusion is irrefutable: like addiction, recovery doesn’t happen by itself. The same people who suffer from substance abuse can be part of the recovery team.
Russell says substance abuse can snowball into domestic abuse, depression, child neglect, and so much more.
OhioGuidestone’s FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) program is one of the best in the country, focusing on not just prevention, but treatment for those born with FASD. Some of us might know it by its original name, “Double ARC” under “A Renewed Mind” services. OhioGuidestone brought both into their statewide network of behavioral health services in 2018. So far, 79 counties have access to OhioGuidestone services, and more are expected as resources like telehealth expand.
Another gem in OhioGuidestone’s integrated approach to mental health is their Expressive Arts program in Lucas County. Expressive Arts is open to adults and children in treatment for FASD, depression, or other mental-health issues.
The idea behind Expressive Arts is that not everyone has the words to describe and release the emotions of their mental health. Painting, sculpting, dancing, singing, and sand play are just a few of the tools that can release those emotions and help in the healing process. Unlike traditional art therapy, no meaning or interpretation is given; the art is simply an expression of emotions.
OhioGuidestone’s Shelly Kepford manages the Expressive Arts program. She has witnessed the healing power of painting to release sorrow over a traumatic loss, or using clay to help those with FASD create, learn, and enjoy the tactile experience. Kepford said, “The therapy is in the creating, communicating, and releasing of emotion. Often the result of something born out of pain becomes something beautiful.”
Twenty of those beautiful art pieces will be auctioned off to raise money for the Expressive Arts program at the “Expressive HeARTs” event, to be held October 6th from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at The Pinnacle in Maumee, Ohio. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through OhioGuidestone. org/donations. The event will include raffles, food and drinks, and entertainment by Nancy Lendrim, Principal Harpist of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. ✲
