In honor of National Recovery Month, Hope for Tomorrow holds its Sixth Annual Recovery Celebration Dinner & Auction.

October—December 2008

Building lives, Restoring hope & Strengthening families

Our mission is to empathically and holistically teach individuals with chronic substance use, co-occurring disorders or compulsive pathological gambling addictions how to "build their lives around their recovery instead of building their recovery around their lives"® and lead sober, accountable, responsible, productive, law-abiding, self-sufficient lives.

We accomplish our mission by providing innovative and individualized relapse prevention education, in conjunction with a highly-structured, clinically-guided, safe, and supportive substance-free living environment. Hope for Tomorrow, Inc. is committed to the belief that incorporating a community and family collaborative approach to the treatment of addictive disorders improves one’s prognosis for future avoidance of addictive related problems.

Hope for Tomorrow, Inc.

Torrential rains and flooded roads could not keep 184 guests from enjoying fine food, fellowship, and heartfelt testimonials, at Hope for Tomorrow’s Sixth Annual Celebration Dinner. The dinner was held at The Gaslite Manor, in Aurora, where 5 current clients and 11 alumni shared with attendees how their lives have changed since coming into Hope for Tomorrow. Thanks to the generous support of local busineses, board members, and guests, the 2008 Celebration Dinner & Silent Auction raised $11,799.61. So far this year, Hope for Tomorrow has

provided 7,923 bed days of service and 2,257 hours of psychosocial relapse prevention education to individuals with a history of chronic substance use and/or co-occurring disorders. The majority of our clients (mean = 83%) enter our residential programs unemployed, homeless, and without any financial resources. Recovery Home (RH) residents must secure employment, attend support groups, be engaged in ongoing relapse prevention education, develop/maintain a financial budget, complete daily chores, abide by curfew restrictions, work through the 12 steps, and adhere to stringent policies. RH’s offer a concise, cost-efficient, and replicable solution to many of the social ills facing our nation (e.g., unemployment, homelessness, crime, child abuse, uninsured medical expenses, gang involvement, divorce …), while simeltaneously strengthening/reuniting families, making our communities healthier/stronger, & rebuilding broken/shattered lives.

From the Founder & Executive/Clinical Director’s Desk

Becoming Addicted, Living in Addiction, & Recovering from Addiction.

By Jeff Gilbert, M.A., C.A.D.C., P.C.G.C., MISA 1

Introduction How does someone become addicted to a substance or behavior? Why can’t someone stop using alcohol/drugs or engaging in self-defeating behaviors? What possesses an intelligent person to repeatedly place themselves—and their loved ones—in harms way? Despite the knowledge that their addiction is caus-ing them great harm, why would someone choose their addiction over everything and everyone else in life? Is long-term recovery possible and, if so, how does someone achieve it? This article clarifies some of the misconceptions about addiction and will leave the reader with a better understanding of the inner-mind of an addict. Becoming Addicted Some people perceive addiction as a self-induced illness. They view the alcoholic and/or drug addict as a weak-willed, selfish, self-centered, and irresponsible individual who needs to assume responsibility and “just say no”. Then there are others who see the alcoholic and drug addict as having a disease; a grave malady that requires professional and supportive care. Whichever perspective you take, one thing is certain—the actively addicted individual is mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually caught in a progressive and degenerative sickness, and without support they will die! I have yet to meet anyone that started experimenting with alcohol or drugs with the goal of becoming addicted. Clients have shared with me a variety of reasons why they started using addictive substances, and in the majority of cases, the degenerative progression fits into the following six stages: (1) Abstinence; (2) Experimentation; (3) Social Use; (4) Habitual Use; (5) Abuse; and (6) Dependence. Throughout these progressive stages, the brain becomes conditioned to the release of the neurotransmit-ter dopamine. Dopamine secretion creates an extremely intense feeling of euphoria and is considered to be the major neurochemical signature of addiction. All living creatures undergo a process called “conditioned response”. Conditioned response is a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus. As someone continues to use a mind-altering substance (e.g., cocaine, alcohol, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine …) or continues to engage in a mood-altering behavior (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping, watching television, self-mutilation), they establish the psychological and physiological foundation for cognitive conditioning (the brain’s anticipated release of dopamine to stimuli). Let me provide you with an example of conditioned response. At home, we have a 2 year old dog named Pepper. Each night, at 9:00 p.m., after Pepper goes out for the last walk of the night, she receives two small milk bone biscuits. It only took her one time of getting those milk bone treats for her to expect the biscuits every night. In other words, after the first time, she was conditioned to expect the reward (response) for going outside at night (stimulus). Now, if a couple of milk bone biscuits can have that effect on a dog, imagine what a hit of crack cocaine/crystal methamphetamine or the plunge of a needle filled with heroin can have on the human brain. Everyone is conditioned in one way or another—and I bet you are too! When you get dressed, do you put your slacks, shirt, socks, and shoes on in the same order? My guess is that you place the same arm or leg in

first, followed by the other arm or leg, and then you button the shirt/pants the same way each time. We get dressed everyday, and therefore don’t necessarily think about this repetitious behavior. However, repetitious behaviors reinforce repetitious responses—thus establishing the foundation for conditioned response. In Pepper’s case, prior to first receiving milk bone biscuits, her 9:00 p.m. outing was just a

normal routine. Now, after developing the treat routine, 9:00 p.m. at our house is full of energy and she gets all excited knowing that she will get milk bone biscuits when she returns inside. The midbrain is where the pleasure-reward center (ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens) and the frontal cortex are located. These areas are where all addictive disorders originate. The midbrain controls breathing, heart rate, drives, fears, and instincts. The frontal cortex controls upper level cognitive processes (e.g., reasoning, logic, rational thought, morality, and judgment). Neurotransmit-ters are chemical messengers that allow the brain to communicate with itself. Psychoactive substances and/or mind-altering behaviors interrupt the messages

transmitted to the frontal cortex. Without the frontal cortex to restrain impulsive drives, the midbrain takes control. Once in control, the midbrain overrides all logic, reasoning, and rational thought—thereby creating compulsive use of substances or behaviors. Addictive substances cause a surge of dopamine which the midbrain equates to survival. “To the midbrain, it is the surest way to produce the desired bio-chemical surge; as the addiction progresses, it becomes the only way” (Phillips, 2004).

Living in Addiction Plagued with despair, tormented by shame, bewildered and confused, and terrified of reality is an accurate description of the inner-mind of an active addict. For anyone who has not directly lived through an addiction, it may be difficult to understand why someone would continuously self-destruct. However, active addiction defies logic and reasoning; there is no rational thought behind it. Addiction goes against basic survival instincts. For some people in society, there is a mindset that the addict is morally-weak, self-serving, ego-centric, or irresponsible. In reality, the addict is driven (compelled) by fears, guilt,

shame, insecurities, delusions and denial. Nobody would like to think of themselves as a weak-willed, spineless, and self-seeking person. Yet, for the addict that frame of reference is an everyday occurrence. Cocooned in fears, it becomes a constant struggle to cope with reality. Momentary periods of abstinence, coupled with brief episodes of “recovery”, set the framework for insanity when, in a split moment of madness the addict picks up. Shamed by their actions and caught in the degenerative psychological and physiological cycle of active addiction, the addict keeps using. Why? It has been both my personal and professional experience that the thought process behind a relapse is broken down as follows: The recovering addict has thoughts of using but they don’t tell anyone. Those using thoughts then become secrets. The secret becomes a fantasy—fantasizing about how, where, and when they could use dominate their mind (at this point they are less likely to share their thoughts with anyone because they have already

decided to use and the person they share it with will tell them not to). The fantasy turns into an obsession. The obsession takes over all cognitive functioning and in what appears to be an instant, the obsession turns into a compulsion and the compulsion becomes an action. BAM—they’re off to the races! Now, riddled in shame, fears, and remorse, along with the physiological component of withdrawal, the cycle of insanity continues.

Recovering from Addiction First, I would like to preface the rest of this article by saying that recovery is possible! Everyone can achieve total recovery from active addiction. Having said this, the only way to achieve recovery is to

Continued on next page

(Illustration by Trond Elling Haveland, Norway)

From the Founder & Executive/Clinical Director’s Desk “build their life around their recovery instead of building recovery around their life”®. The wheel below (Figure 1) exemplifies what building a recovery-based lifestyle looks like. Recovery is the central focus of the wheel. Everything (e.g., occupation, financial, recreational, leisure activities, goals and aspirations, past addiction related issues) and everyone (including immediate family and children, employer, colleagues…) must come secondary to recovery. Physical; emotional; mental; and spiritual well-being—along with ongoing support groups—keep the recovering addict in top working condition. That being said, these areas of life must remain our number one priority! Recovery is far more than abstaining from addictive substances or behaviors. True recovery must include a mindful transformation that modifies patterns of negative thoughts and behaviors and replaces them with positive ones.

For the past 9 years, I have been gathering data, from over 485 recovering men and women, that identifies primary triggers that lead to recidivism (Figure 2). As previously stated, all living creatures become conditioned to respond a particular way to repeated stimuli. Eventually, with repeated exposure, the response becomes ingrained in the unconscious mind. In time, the brain instinctively reacts to the stimulus. For example, in addressing the top four relapse triggers (boredom, depression, loneliness, stress) everytime an addict feels these emotions, they subconsciously equate these feelings with using. In order to change this behavior and learn to recondition the brain, recovering addicts must identify this pattern of thinking and practice alternative methods of coping with these triggers. Then, over time, the brain will recondition itself to respond differently to the same stimulus.

Recovery involves seperating wants from needs—that is what makes it difficult. The needs of recovery include: maintaining a balanced lifestyle (including diet/exercise); spiritual, emotional, and mental growth;

taking responsibility and cleaning up the wreckage of the past; developing realistic goals; identifying hobbies, and personal accountability. Recovery also means acquiring insight into personal relapse triggers and developing healthy alternatives. For example, when bored; depressed; lonely; stressed; angry; resentful; or experiencing a moment of low self-esteem—develop a hobby; read; fly a kite; swim; attend a meeting; jog; write a short story; watch a movie; volunteer at church; journal; ride a bike; take a hike in the woods; sing; enroll in school; go boating; snow ski; paint a picture; take someone to lunch; develop a gratitude list; build a bonfire; go to the library; call a family member; take a nap...the list is infinate. Coming into recovery after decades of reacting to addictive thoughts and behaviors, may appear unreachable. However, each day, at Hope for Tomorrow, Inc., we see once hopelessly lost men and women turn their lives around and lead sober, joyful, happy, enriched, productive lives—through reconditioning their mind and by living these concepts! Try it—I guarentee it. The only thing you have to lose is misery.

Reported Trigger to Relapse Ranked Order

Boredom 1 Depression 2 Loneliness 3 Stress 4 Low Self-Esteem 5 Quit Maintenance Program 6 Guilt 7 Anger * 8 Financial & Money * 8 Isolation 10 Shame 11 Resentments 12 Impulsiveness 13 Relationships 14 Not Asking For Help 15 Lack of Support 16 Insufficient Spiritual Connection 17

Past Addiction Related Issues

Goals & Aspirations

Emotional & Mental

Wellness

Physical Wellness

Spirituality & Support Groups

Recreational & Leisure

Activities

Occupational & Financial Responsibili-

Interpersonal Relationships

RECOVERY

Figure 2. Primary Issues Leading to Recidivism (Gilbert, 2008). *(Anger & Financial/Money are tied).

Figure 1. “Building Your Life Around Your Recovery” (Gilbert, 2008).

Our Seventh Annual OkSOBERfest Celebration

Sunday, October 5, 2008

It rained all morning and the threat of showers lingered but God cleared the sky for our 7th Annual OkSOBERfest Celebration. Two hundred children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and sponsors enjoy fellowship, games, contests, awesome food, prizes... in a non-confrontational, picnic style atmosphere. OkSOBERfest is a relaxed, fun-filled family reunification event that helps to reunite families and mend the broken bridges that addictive disorders create.

Hope for Tomorrow, Inc. would like to gratefully acknowledge the following contributors: The Growing Place (Naperville) Jimmy John’s (Aurora & Oswego) Heriaud’s Catering Moon Jump (Lisle) Rehtmeyer Design (Carol Rehtmeyer)

Hope for Tomorrow participates in Fox Valley United Way’s

2008 Cardboard Boat Race Construction Phase (made out of cardboard, liquid nails, duct tape, varnish, and paint).

The Race (August 23, 2008, at Phillips Park, Aurora)

The Results (HFT came in 2nd Place)

It was a lot of fun designing, constructing, praying, and watching as “Hope We Float Today” made its maiden (and final) voyage. The smell of

competition filled the air as the boats entered the water. In the end, “Hope We Float Today” placed a very close 2nd Place to Hesed Houses’ (P.A.D.S.) craft.

We would like to acknowledge all the agencies that made this day a fun-filled event—but especially to Fox Valley United Way (Michael Meyer, Deanna Cross, and

Deborah Collins) for their dedication to serving the Fox Valley Community.

Our 2nd Annual Golf Outing

Sponsored by the Law Firm of John Bush, Darius Sethna, & Jason Cook

Showers & lightning strikes only delayed the opening of HFT’s 2nd Annual Golf Outing, but nothing could keep these dedicated golfers away. Thanks to all who organized, attended, and participated, in this years golf outing, $8,669.38

was raised to provide clinical services to chronically homeless individuals with substance use disorders.

Hope for Tomorrow, Inc. 2008 Executive Board of Directors

Chairman of the Board John Bush, BS, JD, Atty. Vice Chairman Bryan Lundeen Treasurer Carl Jordan, MBA Secretary Barbara Pancake, MCS V.P. Northern Trust Bank (Retired) Directors Rob Castillo, LCSW,CADC,MISA II Dr. Terrilee Dalton, PhD,LCSW,CADC Carolyn Duetsch Steven DePauw Thomas Killion Robert Niemann * Jeff Gilbert, MA,CADC,PCGC,MISA 1 * Janet Gilbert, Co-Founder * Denotes non-voting board member

Hope for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc.

A Subsidiary of Hope for Tomorrow, Inc.

2008 Board of Directors

Chairman John Bush, BS, JD, Atty. Vice Chairman Bryan Lundeen Treasurer Carl Jordan, MBA Director Jeff Gilbert, MA,CADC,PCGC,MISA 1 Director Janet Gilbert Director Carolyn Duetsch

Director Jeffrey Weseman

Jeff Gilbert, MA,CADC,PCGC,MISA 1 Founder & Executive/Clinical Director Janet Gilbert Administrative Assistant

Dr. William Gossman, MD Medical Director (On Call/Non-compensated)

Billy Hopkins, B.S.W. Aurora University Intern (MSW Program)

Residential House Managers House 1—Lenny H. House 2—Jim C. House 3—Todd C. House 4—Vicki T.

Spiritual Principles of the 12 Steps

Step Number Principle Behind Step 1. Honesty

2. Hope

3. Faith

4. Courage 5. Integrity 6. Willingness 7. Humility 8. Brotherly Love 9. Discipline 10. Perseverance 11. Awareness of God 12. Service

The spiritual principles behind each step are meant to be used as a guide in our daily life. We should measure our

actions by principles to ensure that we are living in accordance to God’s will. Principles are constant; meaning

the definition of each will always remain the same. Honesty is honesty—it will still mean the same thing

one hundred years from now, as it did one hundred years ago.

Our experience has showed us that by incorporating these principles in our lives, not only does the obsession

or desire to use alcohol and drugs disappear, but great miracles occur.

“True recovery must include a mindful transformation that

modifies patterns of negative thoughts and behaviors and replaces them with positive ones”.

Jeff Gilbert, M.A., C.A.D.C., P.C.G.C., MISA 1

HOW TO BECOME A HOPE FOR TOMORROW

CONTRIBUTOR

There are many ways to support the life-changing mission of Hope for Tomorrow, Inc. Listed below are just a few of the ways you can become a HFT contributor. Simply complete this form and mail it into our office (corporate address listed on the back page of this newsletter).

□ HFT Benefactor $5,000.00 or more

□ HFT Member $1,000.00 to $4,999.00

□ HFT Sponsor $100.00 to $999.00

□ HFT Friend $10.00 to $99.00

Print Your Name: _____________________________________

Telephone Number: ( ) _________________________________

You can also contribute securely on-line (Paypal) by visiting our website (www.hopefortomorrow.net/donate). Please consider remembering Hope for Tomorrow, Inc. in your estate planning. We

Hope for Tomorrow’s Administrative Staff

Hope for Tomorrow’s Auxiliary Board The mission of the auxiliary board is to create innovative and lucrative fund raising events that enable Hope for Tomorrow to continue its life-changing services.

Board Members

Carolyn Duetsch

Janet Gilbert

Sherril Niemann

Debra Lee

Barbara Pancake

Minnie Sandstedt

Auxiliary Committee Members

Annette Ward

Barbara Crockett

Linda Hyerdal

Please plan on joining the men of Hope for Tomorrow as they embark on their 7th Annual Spiritual Retreat.

Retreat Theme:

Are You Okay With The Man In The Mirror?

Scheduled for the beginning of

January 2009, this is a weekend you will not want to miss.

Call (630) 966-9000. Reservations are

required and space is limited. $95 per person. Reserve your spot now.

Location: The Villa Desiderata, McHenry, Illinois.

Dr. & Mrs. William Gossman, M.D. Mrs. Barbara Pancake Mr. Bryan Lundeen True Blue Painting & Decorating Aspen Financial Services, L.L.C. Jimmy Johns (Aurora & Osewgo) Mrs. Carolyn Duetsch Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Gilbert Mr. George Sechler Mr. Carl Jordan Harner’s Bakery Mother’s Pancake House Massage Envy Provena Health & Wellness Center Illinois Dept. of Human Services Fox Valley United Way

Hope for Tomorrow Would Like To Gratefully Acknowledge The Following Contributors

Law Office of Bush, Sethna & Cook Meson Sabika Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Craig Mr. & Mrs. David Phelps Mr. Robert Veles Mr. James O’Connor Mr. & Mrs. Geoff Lutes Mrs. Nancy Hopp Ms. Robin Urbanowski Mr. & Mrs. William Silvestri Mrs. Annette Ward Mr. Jeffrey Weseman Halsa Therapeutic Massage L.A. Boxing Jimmy’s Grill Drury Lane (Oakbrook)

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Remian Paramount Theater Hollywood Casino Brio Tuscan Grill Fireside Grill Chili’s Restaurant Fox Valley Park District Zano’s Salon Cardinal Fitness Tinseltown Theater The Growing Place (Naperville) Moon Jump, Lisle Rehtmeyer, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Denis C. Dobbyn 708 Inc. Board City of Aurora

The Law Offices of Bush, Sethna, & Cook

1900 Spring Road, Suite 503

Oakbrook, Illinois 60523

(630) 574-3600

Specialists in:

• Divorce, custody, support, and adoption

• Defense against misdemeanor and felony criminal charges, including DUI, drug charges, and juvenile offenses

• Commercial and residential real estate matters

• Business formation and corporate contracts

• Accident, personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

True Blue Painting & Decorating

Bryan Lundeen, President

(630) 975-0497

• Professionalism at its best—no job is too big or small. Let True Blue take care of all your decorating needs.

True Blue and Bush, Sethna, & Cook are proud supporters of Hope for Tomorrow, Inc..

We are grateful for their generous support.

Kindly consider these two companies for all your

personal and professional needs.

A supportive community working together toward a

common goal.

Up until about fifteen years ago, research regarding dual diagnosis disorders was mainly limited to one diagnosis or the other, but little research examined them in tandem (Hasin 1998). Now, research has begun to look at Co-occurring disorders in tandem. What was found indicates that Co-occurring disorders do tend to interact with each other, regardless of which disorder is the primary or secondary diagnosis. As a result, some researchers believe that achieving full recovery means that “the individual with a dual diagnosis learns to manage both illnesses so that he or she can pursue meaningful life goals” (Drake 2001, p.470). Since a number of clients at Hope for Tomorrow have been diagnosed with Co-occurring disorders, a short baseline survey based on a traditional Likert scale was made and distributed to all of the current clients at Hope for Tomorrow. Twenty-one of the thirty individuals in the program responded to the survey. The results are as follows:

-91% of Hope for Tomorrow clients who reported having Co-occurring disorders also reported that they were taking medication which stabilized their mental illness

-71% of all Hope for Tomorrow clients reported that they work on both substance abuse and mental health issues when they go to counseling

-73% of Hope for Tomorrow clients who reported having Co-occurring disorders also reported that mental health issues have been a barrier to the treatment of their substance abuse issues in the past

The results of this survey confirm that mental health issues and substance abuse issues do affect one another. The results also show that many clients choose to work on their substance abuse issues and mental health issues in an integrated manner when they attend counseling. From what I have seen during my time here, Hope for Tomorrow has been effective at addressing mental health concerns as they relate to the individual’s recovery from addiction. Though Hope for Tomorrow works primarily with addictions and substance abuse, it recog-nizes that using substances is a symptom of larger problems. For this reason, Hope for Tomorrow takes a more holistic approach to its clinically driven services in order to address all issues which may hinder a client’s self sufficiency. Advances in research of Co-occurring disorders will have implications for the treatment of this population in both the addictions and mental health fields, possibly leading to a much greater degree of collaboration and crossover between these two fields.

References

Drake, Robert E., Susan M. Essock, Andrew Shaner, and Kate B. Carey. "Implementing Dual Diagnosis Services for Clients With Severe Mental Illness." Psychiatric Services 52.4 (2001): 469-76.

Hasin, Deborah S., and Edward V. Nunes. "Comorbidity of Alcohol, Drug, and Psychiatric Disorders Epidemiology." Medical Psychiatry 8 (1997): 1-30.

Billy Hopkins is an intern from Aurora University. He is completing his master’s degree in social work. His objective is “to acquire a practicum placement that provides practical experience in areas of social work pertaining to substance abuse and mental health”. He received his undergraduate degree, from Calvin College, with an emphasis on social work and psychology. Billy brings extensive case management experience working with clients from correctional institutions and clients with severe mental illnesses. He has expressed an interest in assisting clients with co-occurring disorders achieve and maintain sobriety, whereby achieving their life goals. Billy will be completing 600 internship hours at HFT. throughout the current academic year.

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. Postage

PAID

PERMIT NO. 436

AURORA, IL

Licensed through the Illinois

Department of Human Services,

Division of Alcoholism & Substance

Abuse (DASA).

Member of the Illinois

Association of Extended Care (IAEC)

HOPE FOR TOMORROW, INC. “Building Lives, Restoring Hope, Strengthening Families, & Improving Communities”. 44 1/2 West Downer Place, Suite 39 Aurora, IL 60506

Professional Clinical Services Offered

Level I & Level II Adolescent Alcohol/Drug Treatment

Level I & Level II Adult Alcohol/Drug Treatment

DUI Evaluations

DUI Remedial Education

Early Intervention Counseling

Alcohol, Drug & Gambling Interventions

Substance-Related Life Coaching

Three DASA Licensed Men’s Recovery Homes (24 beds)

Men’s Independent Living Program (ILP) (5 beds)

Women’s Structured, Sober, Supportive Housing (7 beds)

Certified Pathological Gambling Counseling

Freedom From Smoking ® Counseling

Case Management—focusing on occupational, legal, financial, medical, psychological, spiritual, and relational areas of life.

Phone: 630-966-9000 Toll Free : 866-301-HOPE Fax: 630-966-9002 Website: www.hopefortomorrow.net E-mail: jeffgilbert@hopefortomorrow.net

Hope for Tomorrow, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to comprehensively teach individuals with chronic substance use disorders and/or

compulsive pathological gambling addictions how to "build their lives around

their recovery instead of building their recovery around their lives"®.

We provide professional clinical services to individuals regardless of race,

ethnicity, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, HIV/AIDS status, or financial

ability to pay.

Residential services are funded, in part, by the

Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (DASA).

RESERVE THIS DATE!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009

FOR OUR 7TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION DINNER & SILENT AUCTION.