Isuarsivik Recovery Centre whx3y[4 Isuarsivik A place to reclaim your identity through healing from Trauma and Addictions
Where is Kuujjuaq, Nunavik?
MODELS OF THERAPY Models of therapy used in the Isuarsivik Treatment Program. As an introductory overview of the Relapse Prevention (RP) model, this article briefly describes the conceptual and clinical features of the RP approach to altering excessive or addictive behaviour patterns. In contrast with traditional approaches that overemphasize initial habit change, RP focuses more on the maintenance phase of the habit change process. From this perspective, relapse is not viewed merely as an indicator of treatment failure. Instead, potential and actual episodes are key targets for both proactive and reactive intervention strategies. RP treatment procedures include specific intervention techniques designed to teach the individual to effectively anticipate and cope with potential relapse situations. Also included are more global lifestyle interventions aimed at improving overall coping skills and promoting health and well-being. The Minnesota Model, also known as the abstinence model, of addiction treatment was created in a state mental hospital in the 1950s by two young men, one who was to become a psychologist, the other who was to become a psychiatrist, neither of whom had prior experience treating addicts or alcoholics. The model spread first to a small not-for-profit organization called the Hazelden Foundation and then throughout the country. The key element of this novel approach to addiction treatment was the blending of professional and trained nonprofessional (recovering) staff around the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Trauma Adaptive Recovery Group Education and Therapy (TARGET). We describe the rationale and procedures for a trauma-focused, present-centered, emotion self-regulation model for concurrent treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders. TARGET is a strengths-based approach to education and therapy for trauma survivors who are looking for a safe and practical approach to recovery. TARGET's goal is to help trauma survivors understand how trauma changes the body and brain's normal stress response into an extreme survival-based alarm response. These reactive responses may become "post-traumatic stress disorder" (PTSD). Our center teaches set of skills that can be used by trauma survivors to regulate extreme emotion states, to manage intrusive trauma memories, to promote self-efficacy, and to achieve lasting recovery from trauma. Group cognitive-behavioral therapy for clients with PTSD and substance use disorder. CBT is a collection of skills and techniques designed to help people deal with life problems more effectively. Through practice, people form new mental habits that drastically reduce symptoms, promote well-being and prevent relapse. The central principle of CBT is that our thoughts, feelings, physiology and behaviour all interrelate and affect one another. Changes in thoughts and behaviour can impact our moods and physical functioning. When people are in distress (be it from depression, anxiety, body image concerns, substance abuse, etc.), it is often because of a downward spiral effect between these variables. CBT aims to reverse that spiral to an upward momentum toward health.
Board and staff consists of: 8 board members Executive Director/level 1 counselor Executive Assistant 1 Clinical supervisor/level 3 counselor/rsw Finance agent/attendant Receptionist/Secretary A Cook 6 attendants Maintenance/attendant Elder Speaker Arts and Crafts teachers And 1 part-time employee who is working on the Family Program and working with Accreditation Canada to get the center accredited. We have an employee who is working on contract on the Development Plan for the new center, which we hope will be up and running in the year 2020. We have recently hired someone who will be working on securing funding for the construction and operational budget for the new recovery center. We also have resource people coming in to do presentations from their job, such as Department of Youth Protection, Kativik Regional Police Force. CLSC come in to do presentations on Healthy Sexuality, a doctor comes in to do a presentation on The Affects of Alcohol on the Mind and Body, a nurse comes in to do FASD. We get our funding from Ungaluk Community Program and Nunavik Regional Health Board.
VISION Isuarsivik is a rich resource that promotes Inuit pride, selfempowerment, spirituality and healing through loving, productive lifestyles in safe addiction free communities. MISSION STATEMENT To provide a culturally based wellness program as a means for Inuit to achieve a Healthy, Addiction Free Life-style.
Isuarsivik has 9 beds and is open to men and women 18 years and over, who are interested in bettering their lives that have been affected by Substance Abuse and Life s Traumas. It is a gender specific program. Open to all beneficiaries and their spouses. Duration: 6 weeks (42 days) 5 times a year, the programs are gender specific and the programs alternate between genders. Philosophy The foundation of our program is based on using traditional values in partnership with modern accepted treatment models to promote mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being. Historical Perspective Isuarsivik came into being in the early 1990 s. It represents an ongoing effort by the community of Kuujjuaq, and the region, to respond to the need for alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation services for and by Inuit in Nunavik. There have been repeated efforts to provide these services through Isuarsivik over the years. Isuarsivik s history also includes frequent closures due to a variety of factors that included human resource limitations, access to a very limited operational funding and no access to capital funding. At the same time, the impact of issues such a multigenerational trauma, cultural oppression, the residential and Hostel School experience and relocation to communities were also emerging over this period.
A new Reality Aware of the ongoing need for services, the board of Directors of Isuarsivik made a decision in 2006 to invest in the development of a distinct approach to rehabilitation based on the experience of a group of dedicated professionals and community based volunteers in the community and region. The board felt that over the years, many templates for a variety of programs were sent north and that Inuit should adapt these models for their unique needs. It was decided to develop a totally new program. The need for an Inuit program based on Inuit values, complemented by best practices in the field of addictions has resulted in the development of a trauma-informed service approach to addictions through a 42 day residential program offered in Inuktitut. In order to offer a respectful and respected program, the Board have also made changes to the recruiting and training of staff, as well as implementing a policy of Abstinence from the use of all mind altering substances for all employees involved with program activities at the Centre. Permanent Staff have all participated in the 42- day residential program, as part of their training and personal development, and all applicants for permanent employment in the future will be required to do the same. Programs are delivered primarily in English, with translation as required when non- English speakers are involved in program delivery.
42 days at Isuarsivik Recovery Centre Clients arrive on a Wednesday. Welcoming Ceremonies on Friday with the lighting of the Qullik (lamp).
What do they do? Clients go for a walk in the morning 3 times a week. After the 4th week is done, they start going to the gym in the morning 4 times a week. We take them shopping twice a week to get their personal things They go to AA meetings 3 times a week. Arts and Crafts nights where they do/or learn sewing, beading, skinning animals, make fishing nets, ulus etc. During the week-ends, weather permitting, they go out on the land to hunt caribou, ptarmigan, they go fishing and in the summer time they go berry picking, go for picnics. They visit the elders at the Tusaajiapik Elders home on Sundays. They have an option of going to church on Sundays.
Week 1 Introduction to: - the staff - the House Rules and Assignments - Introduction to Journaling - Introduction to Group Process Needs Assessment is done Pre-treatment questionnaire Building trust and safety exercises and lecture Lecture: Honesty Introduction to AA (Discussion) Lecture: Step 1 of AA Lecture: Boundaries and Connections Lecture: Communications and Assertiveness
Week 2 Lectures: Addictions Lecture and discussion Emotional, Psychological and Physical (Body) effects of addictions Maturity, Integrity and Values Affect by Alcohol. Adult Children of Alcoholics Step 2 of AA Video in the afternoons
Week 3 Lectures: Defense Mechanism Step 3 of AA Understanding Trauma (Genograms) Clients do their family tree Characteristics of Trauma Survivors Cycle of Trauma and Addictions
Week 4: Healing Week 1 Lectures: General Shame and Guilt Grounding outing weather permitting Suicide Prevention Signs and Symptoms. Helping a suicidal Person Lecture and discussion Delayed and Unresolved Grief Letter writing The importance of healthy Grieving (pm) Anger Anger management Lecture Unresolved Anger - Lecture
Week 5: Healing Week 2 Lectures: Family Violence Cycle and Theories of Violence. Compassionate Healing Trauma Overview Building Healthy Relationships and Intimacy Self-esteem and Jealousy Strength and Resiliency Strength and Weaknesses Introduction to Step 4 of AA
Lectures: Inuit Principles of Recovery Relapse and Recovery Process Relapse Warning Signs Relapse Prevention Community Support Systems for client and family. Hurdles in Continued Sobriety Transition from Treatment to home Personal Aftercare and self care plans Evaluations by the clients Wednesday: Graduation Day Thursday: Clients to home J Week 6
Last but not least we are in a process of getting a new 21 bed Recovery Centre built by 2020. Nf3ü4 Thank you Merci Meegwetch
2017 Treatment Calendar 2017 January February March April S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 22 13 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 28 19 20 21 29 30 31 26 27 28 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 May June July August S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 28 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31 30 31 September October November December S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 13 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Red is Ladies Program, Men s Program is in Blue. March is Administration, Program review and development, Activity and Financial Report writing. Prepare for upcoming cycles, also training of staff. Orange: Summer vacation.