Products and Resources Catalog

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The January 2024 issue features the third installment of the Counselor's Corner blog series: Integrating Spirituality and Counseling with African American Clients, information on the Opioid Response Network's 2022-2023 regional summits, and a call for applications for the upcoming HEART (Healing Ethno And Racial Trauma) Training for Behavioral Health Providers Serving Hispanic & Latinx Communities intensive training series. As always, you will also find links to all upcoming events and trainings hosted by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC!   Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter, and thank you for reading!

  The South Southwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center (SSW ATTC) collaborates with Faith Partners, Inc. a non-profit 501©3, which was founded in 1995 by religious leaders seeking ways to mobilize faith communities’ resources to address alcohol and drug issues in their communities. Faith Partners provides the leadership, training, educational materials and consultation to initiate, develop and sustain a faith communities’ efforts to address drugs and alcohol and its impact on their members. Faith Partners provides an individualized plan to start an effective team effort to address the needs of the whole faith community. As part of the process of building capacity and identifying the unique needs and goals of each faith community around the development of their ministry, Faith Partners utilizes community surveys at several points in time. Following is a practical guide developed by the South Southwest ATTC with best practices for engaging the entire faith community in the survey process.

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The September 2023 issue honors National Recovery Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Addiction Professionals Appreciation Day (September 20), and the 10th anniversary of the ATTC/NIATx Service Improvement Blog! As always, you will also find links to all upcoming events and trainings hosted by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC!

This month, our National Hispanic and Latino ATTC and PTTC would like to celebrate El Día De Los Muertos/ The Day of the Dead, as a traditional and healthy way to cope with the loss of those we love and care for. To learn more, please access our webpages: https://attcnetwork.org/centers/national-hispanic-and-latino-attc/home and https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/national-hispanic-latino-pttc/home Sources: https://latino.si.edu/LVM/DayOfTheDead https://www.joincake.com/blog/day-of-the-dead-symbols/ #NLBHA #NHLATTC #NHLPTTC   Español  Nuestros Centros Nacionales Hispano y Latino ATTC y PTTC desean honrar El Día de Los Muertos como una forma tradicional y saludable de manejar la pérdida de aquellos que amamos y que son importantes para nosotros. Para obtener más información, visite: https://attcnetwork.org/centers/national-hispanic-and-latino-attc/home y https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/national-hispanic-latino-pttc/home Fuentes: https://latino.si.edu/LVM/DayOfTheDead https://www.joincake.com/blog/day-of-the-dead-symbols/ #NLBHA #NHLATTC #NHLPTTC   Português Neste mês, nossos Centros Nacionais Hispânico-Latino ATTC e PTTC gostariam de homenagear o Dia de Finados, como uma forma tradicional e saudável de enfrentar a perda daqueles que amamos. Para obter mais informações, visite nossas páginas: https://attcnetwork.org/centers/national-hispanic-and-latino-attc/home e https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/national-hispanic-latino-pttc/home/p> Fontes: https://latino.si.edu/LVM/DayOfTheDead https://www.joincake.com/blog/day-of-the-dead-symbols/ #NLBHA #NHLATTC #NHLPTTC  

Recovery is defined as a ‘process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential’ (SAMHSA Definition). A key dimension of the recovery process is the engagement with supportive relationships and with networks that may be available to respond to and encourage an individual’s recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). It has been documented that rural communities experience a range of social, economic, health disparities that can, at times, limit access to needed supports by individuals in recovery and their family members. However, groups and networks do exist and can be drawn upon to assist/support those in recovery and their family members. This webinar will provide highlight some of the challenges but more importantly strengths of rural communities that can be used to promote recovery. Strategies that could be employed to enhance support for those in recovery will be shared, particularly those that engage with faith supports and faith-based communities.   Supporting Recovery in Rural Communities: Engaging Faith Supports     Learning Objectives: Define the recovery process and the 10 guiding principles of recovery. Recognize the prevalence of SUDs in rural communities. Describe how providers can engage with faith communities to assist individuals and their family members in recovery. Identify strategies for developing responsive approaches to respond to community recovery needs.   Presenter: Kenneth Flanagan, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW is a Curriculum Developer for the Mountain Plains ATTC and an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of North Dakota.    

          Substance use, addiction, and overdose are significant issues facing our communities. As faith leaders, it is critical that we are aware of and engaged in being a part of the solution through actively caring for the people both inside and outside the walls of our houses of worship. This virtual presentation is sponsored by the Southeast ATTC Regional Center and will focus on one faith community’s journey towards being a part of the solution and outline some practical steps they have taken to care for their community well in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina. Mental Health Specialists, Addiction Specialists, treatment providers, peer support communities, and faith community-based organizations in Region 4 are encouraged to register for free.     1. Identify stages of substance use in their local community and responses for each 2. List three ways their faith community could be involved in caring for those struggling with substance use disorder 3. Verbalize a way to differentiate those struggling with substance use in order to respond appropriately 4. Articulate the importance of how faith communities can effectively impact the community as a whole ..................................... Rev. Lance Rhoades  Dramatically touched by God as a teenager, Lance Rhoades has been a trailblazer in active ministry for over 20 years. He is currently the senior pastor at Tree of Life Open Bible Church in the Brookline section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He moved the church from Oakland to Brookline after renovating an iconic church building. This move leads him to oversee many community outreach projects, including a clothing closet, daily hot food programs, a preschool and recovery initiatives. He also serves as Open Bible East Allegheny District Director and now has partnered with key stakeholders in the South Pittsburgh region to lead the South Pittsburgh Opioid Action Coalition (SPOAC) to reduce opioid overdoses in this area.      

    This virtual presentation is sponsored by the Southeast ATTC Regional Center and will focus on the innovative ways that Tennessee has approached partnering with the faith-based community to combat addiction and mental health issues. The approach is to help the faith-based community volunteers build recovery support services/ministry work by using a best practice model that directly connects them with state and local initiatives. The goal is to build more recovery-conducive communities utilizing natural/organic resources in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina. Mental Health Specialists, Addiction Specialists, treatment providers, peer support communities, and faith community-based organizations in Region 4 are encouraged to register for free.      Identify two practical steps that were taken in Tennessee to partner with faith communities related to substance use and mental health recovery Verbalize two different stakeholders in their community Articulate one step they can take to help draw upon organic community supports in supporting recovery   ......................................................   Monty Burks, CPRS, PLC, Ph.D., serves as the Director of Faith-Based Initiatives for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, where his role is engaging and connecting Tennessee’s faith communities to the behavioral health care system, with the goal of expanding addiction and mental health support services across the state. He also oversees the Tennessee Lifeline Peer Project, a state program aimed at reducing the stigma associated with people who suffer from addiction, and the Tennessee Faith-Based Community Coordinators, who seek to help congregations build their capacity to combat addiction and mental health issues in their respective community. Dr. Burks earned his master’s degree in criminal justice from Middle Tennessee State University, his Doctorate in theology from Heritage, and wears the honorable badge of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. Burks has more than 20 years of experience working with the criminal justice system in various roles, including adjunct criminal justice professor at Motlow State Community College, Criminal Justice Student Research Analyst at Middle Tennessee State University, and Criminal Justice Program coordinator at adjunct professor at Tennessee State University.

  The Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (Southeast ATTC) is preparing an in-depth monograph on the power of spirituality in SUD recovery, scheduled for release in Summer, 2021. Meant for treatment, recovery, and faith audiences, the monograph will offer data on effectiveness, wisdom from history, and an abundance of suggestions for treatment, recovery, and faith leaders. Meanwhile, we are releasing two issue briefs, each offering a look at one facet of the monograph.   Written by: Pamela Woll, MA, CPS Document Design by: Celene Craig, MPH, MS Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (January 2021)  

      This virtual presentation is sponsored by the Southeast ATTC Regional Center and will focus on the reasons addiction is considered a disease, challenge some of the ideas about substance use disorders that are prevalent in many faith communities, and also honor some of the many wonderful, effective ways that faith communities can help individuals on their path towards recovery in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina. Treatment providers, peer support communities, and community-based organizations in Region 4 are encouraged to register for free.   1.    Verbalize the prevalence of substance use disorders in the general United States population,  2.    Identify four criteria of any disease, 3.    Articulate two reasons choice and will power alone are not an effective strategy for recovery, 4.    Describe two ways faith communities can help support recovery. ======================================     James E. Campbell, LPC, LAC, MAC, CACII has worked professionally in the human services field for over twenty-five years in a wide range of clinical settings, currently serving as the Training and Technical Assistance Manager for Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center.  His passion is helping individuals and families heal and build on the strengths they possess.  He’s a member of both NAADAC and ACA and is a past president of APSC/SCAADAC.  James is a nationally recognized, author and speaker. 

    The Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (Southeast ATTC) is preparing an in-depth monograph on the power of spirituality in SUD recovery, scheduled for release in Spring, 2021. Meant for treatment, recovery, and faith audiences, the monograph will offer data on effectiveness, wisdom from history, and an abundance of suggestions for treatment, recovery, and faith leaders. Meanwhile, we are releasing two issue briefs, each offering a look at one facet of the monograph.   Written by: Pamela Woll, MA, CPS Document Design by: Celene Craig, MPH, MS Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (October 2020)

    Keynote Presentation from the Annual Inter-Faith Institute on Recovery     Nzinga A. Harrison, MD A well-respected physician and educator, Dr. Harrison is the CoFounder and Chief Medical Officer for Eleanor Health, an innovative provider of comprehensive treatment for opioid and other substance use disorders. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology with Spanish and Chemistry minors at Howard University, completed medical school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and General Psychiatry Residency at Emory University. She is Board-Certified in both Adult General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine and has spent her career treating individuals with Serious Persistent Mental Illness and Addictive Diseases. Currently, she holds adjunct faculty appointment at the Morehouse School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and provides expert consultant services to the Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center. She is Co-Founder of Physicians for Criminal Justice Reform, Inc. and Campaign Psychiatrist for Let’s Get Mentally Fit, a public education and stigma-reduction campaign.

Our Recovery Month 2019 podcast features an interview with Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, a behavioral health trainer and consultant whose work has reached thousands across the United States and beyond. In this episode, Mark discusses the many pathways to recovery in the African American Community. 

      Infographic to explain what opioids are by definition, name, function, effect, and misuse.

    Drugs can alter the way people think, feel, and behave by disrupting neurotransmission, the process of communication between neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Many scientific studies conducted over decades have established that drug dependence and addiction are features of an organic brain disorder caused by drugs’ cumulative impacts on neurotransmission. Scientists continue to build on this essential understanding with experiments to further elucidate the physiological factors that make a person prone to using drugs, as well as the full dimensions and progression of the disorder. This infographic is to assist special populations, providers and organizations in explaining specific neurotransmitters, their affects, and specific drugs that affect them. 

  Acronyms can improve memorability. Proper use of acronyms can benefit listeners. First and foremost among their benefits is increased memorability. Acronyms can also help form the culture of organizations, work groups, and professional disciplines. They can even shave a few seconds off the length of many communications.However, overusing acronyms unconsciously can be damaging and abusive to listeners. All too often, people aren't even aware of their acronym usage, nor have they thought about the appropriateness of using acronyms with a target audience. This deadly combination can result in: Confusion for — and alienation of — your listeners. Mistakes and disagreements based on false interpretations your listeners may make. Cheapened listener-perceived value of your products, solutions, and/or services. This infographic is to assist special populations, providers and organizations in understanding the most commonly used acronyms in public health, behavioral health, and addiction medicine. 

  Understanding addiction is essential to successfully addressing it. In this overview of substance use we discuss the spectrum of use, neurobiological responses to substances, signs and symptoms that explain the disorders, and the common definition of SUDs.  

  Infographic to assist special populations, providers and organizations in disseminating an infographic in myths versus reality of substance use. Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

Click the buttons below to view this webinar translated in Spanish or Portuguese     This is Part 1 of a two-part webinar series titled: The Intersection of Traditional Medicine and Behavioral Health in the Latinx Community. This Webinar will emphasize Curanderismo, the art of traditional medicine, practiced in many parts of the USA, Mexico, Latin America and several countries around the world. The Webinar will explore an integrative approach to traditional medicine featuring demonstrations that incorporate Curanderismo with various traditional and holistic health techniques. Curanderismo will be described with its influences and history. Some of the methods and techniques of the usage of medicinal plants and rituals and their integration into behavioral health addressing body, mind and spirit/energy will be discussed. Video snippets of well know healers from the U.S., Mexico, Afro-Cuba, and Afro-Puerto Rico will demonstrate healing modalities such as medicinal plants for the nervous system; ventosas/fire cupping, limpias espirituales/energeticas/spiritual/energetic cleansings; risaterapia/laugh therapy and temazcal/sweat lodge. At the conclusion of this Webinar, you will appreciate that to be healthy, you should have a balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.

  Presenter: Dr. Tracey Nichols (March 13th, 2019) Objectives ´Learn the benefits of Spirituality in recovery.   ´Learn how to implement Spirituality through recovery.    ´Learn different ways of embracing Spirituality.    ´Learn how to connect to your higher power within you.

Presenter James E Campbell, LPC, LAC, MAC, CACII Objectives  Be provided with information regarding the prevalence of Substance Use Disorders in the general population Enhance understanding of both points of tension and common themes of the faith and treatment/recovery communities And Explore potential ways the faith community helps to meet the needs of individuals with substance use disorders

This presentation by Professor Katherine Sorsdahl discusses the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training model with applications in the South African context. Katherine Sorsdahl is a Professor and the Co-Director of the Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health at the University of Cape Town. She also serves as Expert Curriculum Development Advisor for the South Africa HIV ATTC.

This presentation by Professor Bronwyn Myers discusses the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training model in application to substance use disorders. Professor Bronwyn Myers is a Chief specialist scientist in the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Use Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council. Professor Myers also serves as an Expert Technical Assistance Advisor for the South Africa HIV ATTC.

Monthly electronic newsletter

The double-sided sheet provides information on what recovery means, what you can do to help persons with substance use disorders, and information about the current opioid crisis. Although the document was initially designed for the faith community, it is appropriate as an educational flyer for much broader audiences, including community health centers, treatment agencies, social service agencies, and other groups.