Winter 2015

ADVOCATE
ADVOCATE IS A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF AIM HOUSE
WHERE ACTIONS AND INTENTIONS MERGE
Setting the Stage for Recovery
INSIDE
by Gabrielle Magloire
So, what is Creative Recovery, exactly? Creative
Recovery is a weekly meeting at Madelife,
also known as The Factory; it’s an approach to
sobriety and recovery that embraces creativity
and performance as some of the best outlets
we have for health and happiness; it’s a group
that is regularly shifting to accommodate new
ideas and people. Most importantly, though,
it has become AIM House participants’ favorite
event of the week.
Recently, AIM House opened the invitation
to other treatment centers and recovery
programs in the Boulder area to join in the
collaborative spirit of Creative Recovery. Since
then, we’ve had three separate programs join
us regularly to share in
the enjoyment of new
voices at Open Mic
Night, dance alongside
one another at sober
dances, and share
laughter at comedy
nights. Additionally, over
the last few months
Creative Recovery has
offered participants an
array of collaborative
activities such as cookie
decorating throughout
the holidays, colossal
games of charades,
photography exhibits
and talks, dance troupes,
finger painting, karaoke,
group art... the list goes on and on!
At Creative Recovery we invite a wide variety
of speakers to share their own journeys—from
big-name artists to past participants who are
maintaining and flourishing in their sobriety
and who are willing and proud to share their
story. Since it is Creative Recovery, the speakers
will usually talk about their prior use and its
effect on their particular choice of creative
outlet or passion, and the effects that their
acquired sobriety has had on this aspect of
their lives.
Overall, Creative Recovery has become an
important and meaningful part of the AIM
House experience, one that is ever-evolving
and changing based on current participants
and their unique passions. It’s a reminder that
sobriety can and most assuredly does lead to
incredible creative outlets.
A Word from Danny
pg 2
Alumnus Letter
pg 3
Photo Spread
pg 4 & 5
The Sweat Lodge
pg 6
It reminds us that our lives are just beginning,
and that it’s okay to turn our mistakes or
negative experiences in the past into positive
life lessons. How we spend our energy is up
to us!
ADVOCATE
Editors:
Laura Lammers
Jake Grant
Jon Fredericks
Taylor Jorden
AIM HOUSE, LLC
WWW.AIMHOUSE.COM
2 | Advocate
A WO R D F R O M D A N N Y
A Failure to Launch, or to Develop?
by Daniel Conroy
Dear Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well. Recently, I have been collaborating with a brilliant young Harvard
graduate named Cole who shares my passion for better understanding emerging adulthood, or today’s
generation known as “Millennials” (those born between 1982 and 2003). Together, we are working on
a book that will balance academic research and anecdotal experience from my professional career
working with emerging adults.
When I hear the term “failure to launch,” it doesn’t seem fair or accurate to me. Emerging adults are far
more complicated than such a label makes them out to be. Most interesting to me is to consider all the external factors
and influences, including drug and alcohol abuse, with the latest research on neurological development to gain a more
expansive, more compassionate, and more understanding view of young adulthood.
The media has often criticized Millennials for being narcissistic, lazy, and noncommittal, claiming that their failure to meet
the traditional milestones of adulthood is proof of their moral and sociocultural shortcomings. But an ever-growing body
of research indicates that the period between ages 18-25 represents a distinct developmental stage, marked by dramatic
change in brain structure and cognition.
The part of the brain that undergoes the most striking and prolonged changes during adolescence is the prefrontal
cortex (PFC). Located directly behind the forehead, the prefrontal cortex is associated with complex cognitive tasks such
as problem-solving, long-term planning, self-evaluation, behavioral inhibition, and emotional regulation. During young
adulthood, the PFC begins to communicate more fully and effectively with other parts of the brain, including, most
notably, the limbic system, which develops rapidly during puberty and is strongly associated with emotion and motivation,
enabling emerging adults to better plan, prioritize, and weigh the consequences of their decisions. The limbic system
is usually fully developed by young adulthood, but the PFC is not. This may explain why young adults sometimes make
strange choices or seem so mature in certain areas while clueless in others.
These neurological developments not only improve capacities for self-regulation, goal-setting, and emotional control, but
also result in significant advances in cognitive ability. Research indicates that as teens progress into emerging adulthood,
they become more capable of holding, organizing, and manipulating clusters of abstract thought. They also become better
able to consider varying points of view, and to incorporate social factors and practical limitations into logical thinking.
Though the reasons for these changes are not fully understood, research makes it clear that development does not end in
childhood but continues throughout adolescence and well into adulthood. In light of this, “It’s a good thing that the 20s are
becoming a time for self-discovery,” says neuroscientist Jay Giedd, whose research is responsible for many of these insights.
“Until very recently, we had to make some pretty important life decisions about education, career paths, who to marry,
and whether to go into the military at a time when parts of our brains weren’t optimal yet.” Maybe by forestalling adult
obligations until their brains have reached full maturity, Millennials will make fewer mistakes and lead happier lives, and
that’s something to celebrate.
This is why we place such a large premium on experiencing new things while participants are part of AIM House. Going
through the emotional challenge of delayed gratification, for example, helps aid development. Exploring creative aspects
of themselves and learning new vocations gives actual experience to weigh future decision making. Mindfulness exercise
and therapy help make connections that we believe aid in the last phase of neurological development: To be healthy,
independent adults with the opportunity to explore a variety of new experiences.
Warm Regards,
Danny
ALUMNUS LETTER
Winter 2015 | 3
A Second Chance Found at AIM House
by Jason G.
After leaving Second Nature Entrada in July 2012, my
intention was to attend the young men’s program at AIM
House in the fall of that year. I came to Boulder with my
mom to tour AIM House and get a sense for what the
program had to offer. I was enthralled with the entire
package—living at the base of the Flatirons, the supportive
and relatable community, and the castle itself was pretty
impressive. But there were conflicting factors that had a
heavy influence on my decision. I had quite a few friends
from high school that attended CU Boulder, which made me
feel self-conscious about entering a sober living program.
The presence of friends also clouded my judgment as to
whether or not I truly needed to be sober, or needed the
support to transition back into college and function as a
young adult.
After returning home,
I initially concluded
that I did not need a
program like AIM House
to accomplish my
goals of reintegrating
back into college and
becoming self-sufficient.
I proceeded to visit
my friends in Boulder
a few more times that
fall. The appeal of the
virtually unregulated
party environment, and
the strong emphasis on
social life were enough
to sway my decision. I convinced my parents and myself
that I was capable of living on my own and becoming selfsufficient. I ended up moving to Boulder in the spring of
2013.
My confidence preceded me, however, and I ended
up regressing to my old negative and self-destructive
behaviors. I was procrastinating on assignments and not
using the support provided at school, such as professors,
advisors and tutoring. I became overwhelmed and I
continued to focus my effort and attention on socializing
rather than attending to my commitments. I used alcohol
and my social life to cope with the inevitable failure.
Eventually, my parents and I came to the decision that I
should return home and regroup. I spent the summer and
fall of 2013 in California at my parents’ house. I continued
drinking to suppress the feelings of shame, guilt, and
regret. I further isolated myself and became less and less
motivated. The anxiety and depression I experienced were
crippling. I was hopeless and desperate for the strength to
change my circumstances.
It started with an epiphany. I had exhausted all my efforts
to help myself with my own will—it was time to for me
to reach out for help. I reached back out to AIM House in
November of last year and moved back to Boulder as soon
as possible.
AIM House has provided me with the community, the
structure, and the opportunities I needed to succeed. One
of my most cherished
aspects of the program
has been the feeling
of being a part of
something. We are all
just trying to navigate
our way through life and
resolve interpersonal
conflicts. I have utilized
the support of Jean,
our in-house tutor, who
has helped me selfregulate my academics
and stay proactive. I
have been able to do
yoga and go indoor rock
climbing routinely which
I have found to be very
therapeutic and uplifting activities. It has been a blessing to
live in such a beautiful setting and to have regular access
to hiking trails. Hiking is another activity I use to sooth and
achieve a healthy release. AIM House also provided me with
the opportunity to be involved in their marketing team as
an intern which has allowed me to exercise my creativity
with photography, as well as explore other skills such
as editing and writing for the newsletter. The internship
has provided me a lot of professional experience and
knowledge which will definitely be applicable in the future.
I have completed my first semester of college and I am so
proud of the resilience and self-determination I cultivated.
I am glad I found the time along the way to pause and
absorb exactly what was going on around me and fully
appreciate it. There is nothing more authentic than having
the courage to live a clean and sober life.
4 | Advocate
P H OTO S
P H OTO S
Winter 2015 | 5
6 | Advocate
A T R I P TO A L A KOTA S W E AT L O D G E
Sweating It Out
by Jake Grant
On a Friday afternoon, I scribbled my name haphazardly
skipping across his face. “This is a very powerful card. It
onto a sign-up sheet next to the Castle’s spiral staircase that is about enduring a spiritual ceremony to find one’s
read “Sweat Lodge Set-up: Sunday, Early.” A few weeks earlier, purpose. But you will have to work your way up to a
the concept of a Lakota Native American sweat lodge had
ceremony like that. You’re welcome to join us next Sunday
been completely foreign to me. It wasn’t until my Transitions at the Inipi, the sweat lodge.” I accepted the invitation,
Group that I became interested in this spiritual practice.
intrigued by the journey that lay ahead.
Paul, one of our mentors, presented us with a special deck
Jay, an AIM House mentor and one of the sweat lodge
of cards. I fanned them out, ran my fingers over the colorful
helpers, offered to make the drive that Sunday morning. We
edges. They were Lakota Sweat Lodge Spirit Cards. Paul
briefly explained to me the process and work that went into wound through the canyons of Highway 119 towards
the town of Nederland, originally
a traditional Native sweat lodge: one
founded as a trading post between
must build a fire, heat the rocks until
“‘Hanbleciya’ means
the European settlers and the Ute
glowing hot, place them into the
‘Lamenting
for
a
Vision’
in
Native American people—a fitting
lodge, and pour water onto the rocks
the Lakota language,” Paul destination, I thought, for a traditional
in pitch darkness.
announced, as a grin began sweat lodge experience. We stopped at
I let my imagination run wild as my
a dilapidated wood-slat gate, pushed
skipping
across
his
face.
mind drifted through images of
it aside, and entered the vast wooded
Native people chanting, praying,
property. It was a warm 50 degrees
all huddled inside makeshift lodges full of steam and
when we left Boulder; here, high up in Nederland’s Aspen
smoke, the smell of sage emanating through a vacuum
forest, we found ourselves in a snowstorm. We pressed on
of black. Paul spread out his deck in front of me and,
towards the sweat lodge area and our crew set to work
with a sense of intentionality, I chose a single card. I
immediately—there was no time to waste. We rocked
gazed at the picture of a man in the woods witnessing
the trunks of dead trees until their roots loosened in the
a spirit hovering in the sky above him and struggled
frigid soil and freed themselves. We took turns with the old
to read the word ’Hanbleciya’ written in bold lettering
axe, hacking and splitting the wood for the campfire. Jay
underneath. “‘Hanbleciya’ means ‘Lamenting for a Vision’
instructed us to place exactly twenty-eight stones in the
in the Lakota language,” Paul announced, as a grin began
fire. The snow began falling harder; the campfire needed
more and more attention. It was
hours before the stones were
glowing hot and ready for the
ceremony.
Paul placed a large Buffalo skull
filled with sage in front of the lodge
door. It was finally time to begin. We
Paul placed a
large Buffalo
skull filled with
sage in front of
the lodge door.
It was finally
time to begin.
A T R I P TO A L A KOTA S W E AT L O D G E
Winter 2015 | 7
During the ceremony, I
felt connected with my
AIM House peers on
a spiritual plane. We
were working together,
cleansing ourselves on
our journey to recovery.
took our shoes and shirts off and changed into our sweat
shorts, begrudgingly—it was now well below freezing. I
crawled inside with ten of my fellow AIM House members,
Paul, and Jay. With a pitchfork, another helper delivered
seven stones still whistling with heat and placed them
carefully into the shallow pit, in the center of the lodge. The
door closed from the outside. The little round hut was now
completely absent of light or sound, the latter made even
more pronounced by the deadening of snowfall. I closed
my eyes. A gentle “shhhhhh” rose from the stones as they
came in contact with water.
I felt a sense of calm and serenity wash over me as I finally
stopped shivering and allowed the
steam to wash over me. Paul and
Jay began singing and drumming
loudly. They were old Lakota prayer
songs asking for health and help
from above. Although I could not
understand the words themselves,
their tone spoke to me on a
primordial level. We had three more
phases of adding more hot rocks,
each time listening to a different
prayer. Paul had instructed us to
rub ourselves with the sacred sage,
to cleanse ourselves. I felt that I was
simultaneously at one with myself
and at one with my comrades. I
could not see them, hear them, but
I felt their presence sitting beside
mine. We were together in spirit.
The Inipi was a transformative experience. During the
ceremony, I witnessed my past decisions with little
judgement and thought about how to better my
future. I felt washed clean of negative self-imagery. Most
importantly, though, I felt connected with my AIM House
peers on a spiritual plane. We were working together,
cleansing ourselves on our journey to recovery.
On our way home, Paul turned to me and said, “We are
going to go again at the end of the month, if you want to
come back.” I happily agreed, this time more prepared for
the Inipi—the making of new breath of life.