Summer 2013 - Arapahoe House

Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Denver, CO
Permit No. 511
8801 Lipan Street
Thornton, CO 80260
u Arapahoe House
Golf Tournament
SUMMER 2013 | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 3
Return Service Requested
u My Prescription
Drug Nightmare
u What You Should
Know About
July 4th
Substance
News of
u Arapahoe House
Luncheon
A Newsletter Connecting the Community With Our Nonprofit
Visit us on the web at ArapahoeHouse.org
BUY YOUR TICKETS AND TABLES NOW FOR THE...
4th Annual Arapahoe House Luncheon with
Emmy Award‑Winning Actress Meredith Baxter
Q&A: Huffing
Have you heard of “huffing”? Sniffing or inhaling the
chemical contents of household goods like aerosol
spray cans or paint to get high is unfortunately popular
among young teens. If you have a teen in your life,
here’s what you need to know about this deadly
class of drugs clinically referred to as inhalants.
What do inhalants do?
Friday, September 20, 2013 at 11:30 a.m.
The Seawell Grand Ballroom at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Downtown Denver
About Meredith Baxter
In film, television, and on stage, Baxter is noted for her accessible portrayals of intelligent, independent
women, most notably, on the long‑running and extremely popular show “Family Ties”. She most
recently appeared on the hit series "Glee". On TV and in life, Baxter has devoted much of her time to
speaking out on issues about which she is passionate, including alcoholism and recovery. Sober now for
23 years, Meredith recently released her autobiography, “Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and
Floundering”. She is the mother of five grown children and lives with her partner in Santa Monica,
California.
www.ArapahoeHouse.org/2013 or call 303.412.3643
Arapahoe House is Colorado’s nonprofit leader in providing affordable drug
and alcohol treatment for more than 15,000 people every year.
It takes seven seconds for someone to get high off
an inhalant. These substances cross the blood/brain
barrier, and can cause dramatic damage to the cerebral
cortex. Inhalants are one of the only substances that
can cause irreversible brain damage.
What chemicals are kids huffing?
l
Air Duster: the chemical used to clean your computer keyboard.
Carburetor cleaner: it has a sweet smell and can be found
anywhere from Target to auto stores.
l Spray paint: especially metallic colors like gold and silver.
l Other common products: whip cream (commonly called
‘whip-its’), air freshener, and cooking spray.
l
What does a typical person look like
who has a huffing addiction?
At Arapahoe House, the typical client is 14 or 15 years old. The
clients we see for inhalant abuse are a bit foggy in their disposition; the
ability to reason goes first with the damage this drug
causes to the brain. Inhalants are inexpensive and
easy to get and there tends to be higher use in lowincome areas.
What are the warning signs parents
can look for?
If a person is huffing paint, you might see discoloration
under the nose and around the mouth. If a person is
huffing air duster, there might be burns on the
tongue or in the back of the mouth. Inhalant abuse
can also cause confusion and slurring (without the
odor of alcohol). Or, the person might have a chemical
smell around them. Also look for dilated pupils,
unexplained injury or accident, change in peer
group, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, and a
disheveled appearance.
What can parents do to help prevent
their kids from getting addicted?
As a parent, you should be engaging in an ongoing dialogue with
your kids about drugs and alcohol, especially now that
Amendment 64 has passed. Include inhalants as one of the drugs
you talk about. Also, keep a close eye on your aerosol products or
lock them up. l
Arapahoe House
provides substance abuse treatment to vulnerable
individuals and families in metro Denver. Since
1975, Arapahoe House has been empowering
members of our community to find help, hope and
healing from drugs and alcohol. Today, we help
more than 15,000 members of our community
every year. With 13 locations and more than
20 specialized services, Arapahoe House is
Colorado’s leading nonprofit provider of affordable drug and alcohol treatment. We provide
substance abuse illness treatment for women and
their children, teens, adults and families to help
save and rebuild lives. The nationally recognized
programs of Arapahoe House are designed to
meet the unique treatment needs of our clients to
help give them a greater chance of recovery.
HELP
Arapahoe House Raises More Than $58,000
at Sold-Out Annual Golf Tournament
Arapahoe House enjoyed the 13th Annual Teeing off for Arapahoe
House golf tournament at Arrowhead Golf Club on June 24, 2013. The
tournament attracted 144 golfers who helped raise more than
$58,000 in gross revenue through sponsorships and golf contests. All
proceeds from the tournament will benefit the life-changing addiction
treatment programs of Arapahoe House.
“Once again, we are thrilled that our annual charity tournament sold out,
said Mike Butler, 2013 golf tournament chair. The continued participation of
the metro Denver business community means more Coloradans will be able
to access life-saving substance abuse treatment.”
Board of Directors
ARAPAHOE HOUSE
President | Mike Butler
Vice President | Brandon Mencini
Vice President | Tom Clark
Vice President | Laura Romero
Secretary | Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons
Treasurer | David Stevens
Carolle Anne Banville
Jack Fitzgibbons *
Michael R. Horton
Ellen Miller-Brown
Ronald Rose *
Senator Nancy Todd
Brent Westrop
EX OFFICIO ARAPAHOE HOUSE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mary E. Baca
Commissioner Alice Nichol
ARAPAHOE HOUSE FOUNDATION
President | Helen Hanks
Vice President | Mike Butler
Vice President | Kathy Crapo
Vice President | Robert E. Pipkin
Secretary | Laurie Brown
Treasurer | Greg Gulley
Susan Arigoni
Paulee Brody
Rodger Hara
Jeffery L. Hawks
Charles S. McNeil
Patti Robinson
EX OFFICIO ARAPAHOE HOUSE FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kristina Davidson
the late Linda L. Goto
Sharon Whiton Gelt
EMERITUS
Lucille "Lucky" Gallagher*
David J. Kohlwey*
Henry “Hank” Robinson*
* on both boards
2
A team from Title Sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance getting creative with tutu
skirts at the dress up hole.
“For the third year in a row, Liberty Mutual Insurance is honored to
support Teeing off for Arapahoe House,” said Mike Brewer, regional
vice president of Liberty Mutual Insurance, the tournament’s Title
Sponsor. “We know that substance abuse has a profound effect on
businesses with close to 80 percent of people with drug or alcohol
problems being employed. We are proud to support such a worthy
cause.”
Golfers enjoyed 18 challenging holes at a stunning golf course
surrounded by Colorado’s famous red rocks. Prizes were given to the
top men’s and mixed foursomes. Tournament participants also enjoyed
challenging contests, including a betting hole and dress up hole. At the
dress up hole participants paid $5 each to don tutu skirts and tee off
at the women’s tee box.
Arapahoe House deeply appreciates its Title Sponsor, Liberty Mutual
Insurance, and other major sponsors including Anadarko Petroleum
Corporation, Pinnacol Assurance, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation,
Colorado Business Bank, FirstBank, Flood & Peterson, Xcel Energy, and
Zurich North America. Arapahoe House would also like to thank Adco
General, Budget Control Services, CNA Insurance, Chubb & Son,
Colorado Business Bank, Encana Natural Gas, Hanover Insurance
Group, Lockton Companies, and Travelers Insurance for their corporate
support. l
HOPE
HEALING
My Prescription Drug Nightmare
Top 10 Things You Should
Know for July 4
Postpartum depression hit me hard after the birth of my second
son. Shortly after, I was in a car accident that severely injured my neck
and back. My doctor prescribed Oxycontin for the pain and that’s
where my prescription drug addiction story begins.
I used the medication as directed to treat the pain for a long time.
As my injuries healed, I found that my body was craving the medication
and before I knew it, I couldn’t function without Oxy. At the height of my
addiction, I couldn’t wake up in the morning unless I had two 80 mg
pills of Oxy. I had to take them just to get my kids to school. I felt like I
couldn’t live without my prescription drugs. There were days when I
couldn’t even pick out my kid’s clothes.
Oxy robbed every part of my life from me. I lost my house and had
to move back in with my parents. It didn’t go very well, so my two sons
and I ended up living in my car and occasionally staying with friends. I
felt so trapped and so alone. I remember how hot the tears were on
my face. I’m such a bubbly, positive person and drugs took that away
from me.
I actually called social
services on myself and
begged for help. It took a
while, but I was eventually referred to Arapahoe
House’s New Directions
for Families program.
On March 3, 2011
my life changed course.
My first day at New
Directions was hell. I
had an incredibly high
tolerance for Oxycontin
and my withdrawals
were close to deadly. I
needed to be hospitalized. It took about a
month for my body to
feel somewhat normal.
My sons and I were
at New Directions for
four months. Treatment
saved my life and my family. I didn’t realize until I was in rehab that
prescription drug abuse was so prevalent. I started to feel less alone.
I personally wanted to be sober for my children. My boys are 21
months apart and I have so many great photos of all the fun stuff I
used to do with my older son. I don’t have many pictures like that with
my youngest, since my addiction began after he was born, so I’m
making up for that now.
Today, I’m proud to report that I have more than two years of sobriety
and I’m a financially stable single mom. I have a great job at an auto
finance company that pays a whole lot more than just the rent. I have
a new car and a great home for my kids. We are making plans to travel
and we even have a gym membership, something that seemed so
foreign to me when I was at my worst living out of my car. The other
day my son said, “Mom, I’m glad you’re not sick anymore”. I’m glad
too. l
10. Independence Day is the single deadliest day for traffic
fatalities across the county.
9. Hospital emergency department visits involving underage
drinking nearly double during the Fourth of July holiday.
8. Summer months tend to be the deadliest on Colorado
roads due to the influx of both in-state and out-of-state travelers. Alcohol consumption is typically higher over the holiday
weekends, including Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.
7. Four out of five people who drink and drive are men.
6. The drunkest time on the roads is between midnight and
3:00 a.m.
5. Americans spend more on fireworks and beer than our
government's entire $101 million war chest during the
American Revolution.
4. The minimum cost for a first-time DUI in Colorado is
$10,270. A DUI arrest will also result in jail time, loss of a
driver’s license or ignition interlock, mandatory alcohol
education classes and community service.
3. One out of two water recreation deaths of teens and
adults involves the use of alcohol.
2. Each year in Colorado, more than 26,000 people are
arrested for a DUI and over 150 people are killed in
alcohol-related traffic crashes.
1. One in 10 Coloradans suffer from addiction. July 4
presents vulnerability for a recovering person to relapse.
Gatherings with family or friends can submerge the
recovering person in an environment where drinking is
not only available, it is considered the norm. 64 percent
of Americans celebrate at cookouts, barbecues or picnics.
These situations can evoke an enormous amount of
stress and fear, and present a real threat to a person’s
sobriety. Please be considerate of your recovering friends
and family this July 4. l
3
Arapahoe House
provides substance abuse treatment to vulnerable
individuals and families in metro Denver. Since
1975, Arapahoe House has been empowering
members of our community to find help, hope and
healing from drugs and alcohol. Today, we help
more than 15,000 members of our community
every year. With 13 locations and more than
20 specialized services, Arapahoe House is
Colorado’s leading nonprofit provider of affordable drug and alcohol treatment. We provide
substance abuse illness treatment for women and
their children, teens, adults and families to help
save and rebuild lives. The nationally recognized
programs of Arapahoe House are designed to
meet the unique treatment needs of our clients to
help give them a greater chance of recovery.
HELP
Arapahoe House Raises More Than $58,000
at Sold-Out Annual Golf Tournament
Arapahoe House enjoyed the 13th Annual Teeing off for Arapahoe
House golf tournament at Arrowhead Golf Club on June 24, 2013. The
tournament attracted 144 golfers who helped raise more than
$58,000 in gross revenue through sponsorships and golf contests. All
proceeds from the tournament will benefit the life-changing addiction
treatment programs of Arapahoe House.
“Once again, we are thrilled that our annual charity tournament sold out,
said Mike Butler, 2013 golf tournament chair. The continued participation of
the metro Denver business community means more Coloradans will be able
to access life-saving substance abuse treatment.”
Board of Directors
ARAPAHOE HOUSE
President | Mike Butler
Vice President | Brandon Mencini
Vice President | Tom Clark
Vice President | Laura Romero
Secretary | Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons
Treasurer | David Stevens
Carolle Anne Banville
Jack Fitzgibbons *
Michael R. Horton
Ellen Miller-Brown
Ronald Rose *
Senator Nancy Todd
Brent Westrop
EX OFFICIO ARAPAHOE HOUSE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mary E. Baca
Commissioner Alice Nichol
ARAPAHOE HOUSE FOUNDATION
President | Helen Hanks
Vice President | Mike Butler
Vice President | Kathy Crapo
Vice President | Robert E. Pipkin
Secretary | Laurie Brown
Treasurer | Greg Gulley
Susan Arigoni
Paulee Brody
Rodger Hara
Jeffery L. Hawks
Charles S. McNeil
Patti Robinson
EX OFFICIO ARAPAHOE HOUSE FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kristina Davidson
the late Linda L. Goto
Sharon Whiton Gelt
EMERITUS
Lucille "Lucky" Gallagher*
David J. Kohlwey*
Henry “Hank” Robinson*
* on both boards
2
A team from Title Sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance getting creative with tutu
skirts at the dress up hole.
“For the third year in a row, Liberty Mutual Insurance is honored to
support Teeing off for Arapahoe House,” said Mike Brewer, regional
vice president of Liberty Mutual Insurance, the tournament’s Title
Sponsor. “We know that substance abuse has a profound effect on
businesses with close to 80 percent of people with drug or alcohol
problems being employed. We are proud to support such a worthy
cause.”
Golfers enjoyed 18 challenging holes at a stunning golf course
surrounded by Colorado’s famous red rocks. Prizes were given to the
top men’s and mixed foursomes. Tournament participants also enjoyed
challenging contests, including a betting hole and dress up hole. At the
dress up hole participants paid $5 each to don tutu skirts and tee off
at the women’s tee box.
Arapahoe House deeply appreciates its Title Sponsor, Liberty Mutual
Insurance, and other major sponsors including Anadarko Petroleum
Corporation, Pinnacol Assurance, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation,
Colorado Business Bank, FirstBank, Flood & Peterson, Xcel Energy, and
Zurich North America. Arapahoe House would also like to thank Adco
General, Budget Control Services, CNA Insurance, Chubb & Son,
Colorado Business Bank, Encana Natural Gas, Hanover Insurance
Group, Lockton Companies, and Travelers Insurance for their corporate
support. l
HOPE
HEALING
My Prescription Drug Nightmare
Top 10 Things You Should
Know for July 4
Postpartum depression hit me hard after the birth of my second
son. Shortly after, I was in a car accident that severely injured my neck
and back. My doctor prescribed Oxycontin for the pain and that’s
where my prescription drug addiction story begins.
I used the medication as directed to treat the pain for a long time.
As my injuries healed, I found that my body was craving the medication
and before I knew it, I couldn’t function without Oxy. At the height of my
addiction, I couldn’t wake up in the morning unless I had two 80 mg
pills of Oxy. I had to take them just to get my kids to school. I felt like I
couldn’t live without my prescription drugs. There were days when I
couldn’t even pick out my kid’s clothes.
Oxy robbed every part of my life from me. I lost my house and had
to move back in with my parents. It didn’t go very well, so my two sons
and I ended up living in my car and occasionally staying with friends. I
felt so trapped and so alone. I remember how hot the tears were on
my face. I’m such a bubbly, positive person and drugs took that away
from me.
I actually called social
services on myself and
begged for help. It took a
while, but I was eventually referred to Arapahoe
House’s New Directions
for Families program.
On March 3, 2011
my life changed course.
My first day at New
Directions was hell. I
had an incredibly high
tolerance for Oxycontin
and my withdrawals
were close to deadly. I
needed to be hospitalized. It took about a
month for my body to
feel somewhat normal.
My sons and I were
at New Directions for
four months. Treatment
saved my life and my family. I didn’t realize until I was in rehab that
prescription drug abuse was so prevalent. I started to feel less alone.
I personally wanted to be sober for my children. My boys are 21
months apart and I have so many great photos of all the fun stuff I
used to do with my older son. I don’t have many pictures like that with
my youngest, since my addiction began after he was born, so I’m
making up for that now.
Today, I’m proud to report that I have more than two years of sobriety
and I’m a financially stable single mom. I have a great job at an auto
finance company that pays a whole lot more than just the rent. I have
a new car and a great home for my kids. We are making plans to travel
and we even have a gym membership, something that seemed so
foreign to me when I was at my worst living out of my car. The other
day my son said, “Mom, I’m glad you’re not sick anymore”. I’m glad
too. l
10. Independence Day is the single deadliest day for traffic
fatalities across the county.
9. Hospital emergency department visits involving underage
drinking nearly double during the Fourth of July holiday.
8. Summer months tend to be the deadliest on Colorado
roads due to the influx of both in-state and out-of-state travelers. Alcohol consumption is typically higher over the holiday
weekends, including Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.
7. Four out of five people who drink and drive are men.
6. The drunkest time on the roads is between midnight and
3:00 a.m.
5. Americans spend more on fireworks and beer than our
government's entire $101 million war chest during the
American Revolution.
4. The minimum cost for a first-time DUI in Colorado is
$10,270. A DUI arrest will also result in jail time, loss of a
driver’s license or ignition interlock, mandatory alcohol
education classes and community service.
3. One out of two water recreation deaths of teens and
adults involves the use of alcohol.
2. Each year in Colorado, more than 26,000 people are
arrested for a DUI and over 150 people are killed in
alcohol-related traffic crashes.
1. One in 10 Coloradans suffer from addiction. July 4
presents vulnerability for a recovering person to relapse.
Gatherings with family or friends can submerge the
recovering person in an environment where drinking is
not only available, it is considered the norm. 64 percent
of Americans celebrate at cookouts, barbecues or picnics.
These situations can evoke an enormous amount of
stress and fear, and present a real threat to a person’s
sobriety. Please be considerate of your recovering friends
and family this July 4. l
3
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Denver, CO
Permit No. 511
8801 Lipan Street
Thornton, CO 80260
u Arapahoe House
Golf Tournament
SUMMER 2013 | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 3
Return Service Requested
u My Prescription
Drug Nightmare
u What You Should
Know About
July 4th
Substance
News of
u Arapahoe House
Luncheon
A Newsletter Connecting the Community With Our Nonprofit
Visit us on the web at ArapahoeHouse.org
BUY YOUR TICKETS AND TABLES NOW FOR THE...
4th Annual Arapahoe House Luncheon with
Emmy Award‑Winning Actress Meredith Baxter
Q&A: Huffing
Have you heard of “huffing”? Sniffing or inhaling the
chemical contents of household goods like aerosol
spray cans or paint to get high is unfortunately popular
among young teens. If you have a teen in your life,
here’s what you need to know about this deadly
class of drugs clinically referred to as inhalants.
What do inhalants do?
Friday, September 20, 2013 at 11:30 a.m.
The Seawell Grand Ballroom at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Downtown Denver
About Meredith Baxter
In film, television, and on stage, Baxter is noted for her accessible portrayals of intelligent, independent
women, most notably, on the long‑running and extremely popular show “Family Ties”. She most
recently appeared on the hit series "Glee". On TV and in life, Baxter has devoted much of her time to
speaking out on issues about which she is passionate, including alcoholism and recovery. Sober now for
23 years, Meredith recently released her autobiography, “Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and
Floundering”. She is the mother of five grown children and lives with her partner in Santa Monica,
California.
www.ArapahoeHouse.org/2013 or call 303.412.3643
Arapahoe House is Colorado’s nonprofit leader in providing affordable drug
and alcohol treatment for more than 15,000 people every year.
It takes seven seconds for someone to get high off
an inhalant. These substances cross the blood/brain
barrier, and can cause dramatic damage to the cerebral
cortex. Inhalants are one of the only substances that
can cause irreversible brain damage.
What chemicals are kids huffing?
l
Air Duster: the chemical used to clean your computer keyboard.
Carburetor cleaner: it has a sweet smell and can be found
anywhere from Target to auto stores.
l Spray paint: especially metallic colors like gold and silver.
l Other common products: whip cream (commonly called
‘whip-its’), air freshener, and cooking spray.
l
What does a typical person look like
who has a huffing addiction?
At Arapahoe House, the typical client is 14 or 15 years old. The
clients we see for inhalant abuse are a bit foggy in their disposition; the
ability to reason goes first with the damage this drug
causes to the brain. Inhalants are inexpensive and
easy to get and there tends to be higher use in lowincome areas.
What are the warning signs parents
can look for?
If a person is huffing paint, you might see discoloration
under the nose and around the mouth. If a person is
huffing air duster, there might be burns on the
tongue or in the back of the mouth. Inhalant abuse
can also cause confusion and slurring (without the
odor of alcohol). Or, the person might have a chemical
smell around them. Also look for dilated pupils,
unexplained injury or accident, change in peer
group, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, and a
disheveled appearance.
What can parents do to help prevent
their kids from getting addicted?
As a parent, you should be engaging in an ongoing dialogue with
your kids about drugs and alcohol, especially now that
Amendment 64 has passed. Include inhalants as one of the drugs
you talk about. Also, keep a close eye on your aerosol products or
lock them up. l