CFLR In Action

05
Apr
2022

Are you getting enough sleep?

Lack of a good night’s sleep can affect us at the most inconvenient times.  Not getting enough shut eye can impact everything from work performance to eating habits.  CFLR’s Employee Assistance Program has provided a few tips on how to improve your sleeping habits.  For more information…

Sleep deprivation, which means you’re not getting enough sleep, is a common problem.  Many people try to pack in as much as possible into each day, and sleep is often sacrificed.  Whether your sleep deprivation is due to your demanding work schedule, the result of sleep disorder, your age (people 65 years and older often struggle with sleep), illness, level of stress or demanding social schedule sleep is often a low priority or problematic.  Ongoing sleep deprivation can have devastating consequences, including but not limited to: problems with memory and logical reasoning, difficulties with psychological processes associated with the adrenal gland (i.e. it can make you very irritable, disrupt your metabolism and even impact how you experience physical pain), and it is closely associated with decreases in both efficiency and ability to concentrate. 

Although 8 hours of sleep each night is still the general recommendation, this may not always be possible.  Unfortunately, there is also no “catching up” on sleep when you are in serious sleep debt. So now what?  Consider quality if you’re not getting quantity!  Follow these tips and realize that it takes time to make better habits.

  1. Modify alcohol consumption.  Although alcohol can help you to fall asleep, it disrupts the sleep cycle.
  2. Decrease smoking.  Large levels of nicotine in the blood result in increased agitation and decreased restful sleep.
  3. Exercise regularly.  Regular exercise produces a higher percentage of deep sleep as well as fewer awakenings during the night.
  4. Take a look at your diet.  Make sure that you are consuming adequate amounts of B-complex vitamins, as several of the B vitamins can enhance restful sleep as well as reduce fatigue.
  5. Reduce caffeine intake.  In particular, don’t consume caffeine within 4 hours of bedtime.
  6. Set realistic daily goals.
  7. Establish a regular sleep schedule.
  8. Practice diaphragmatic (deep) breathing (especially before bed).
Posted by Dominica Liscio in CFLR In Action, EAP
01
Apr
2022

CFLR Announces 2022 Amethyst Awardee

CFLR Announces 2022 Amethyst Awardee

Utica, New York (March 2022) – The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. has chosen Tabatha Sellick, from Oneida County Family Treatment Court as the winner of their 2022 Amethyst Award, which will be presented at their annual awareness breakfast on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

The Amethyst Award is given annually to a member of the community who has helped others by inspiring them with the message of hope and recovery in the fields of mental health and chemical dependency, as well as treatment and prevention.

These are just a few of the amazing statements from her many nominations:

“Tabatha is one of the most dedicated members of our community supporting individuals working on their substance use disorder, mental health, and finding pathways for the whole family unit.”

“Tabatha works tirelessly with those suffering from SUD.”  

“[She] is going above and beyond to service those in need through several specialty courts.”

“Her impact on the community keeps children and parents safe and making positive strides in their recovery.”  “Tabatha’s work as Treatment Court Coordinator has made a lasting difference in the recovery community.” 

“She is extremely caring and takes time with everyone she is talking to, to hear what they are saying.”

Each year at the annual awareness breakfast, CFLR celebrates their community partners who join them in the fight against substance use disorders. There will also be informational booths from services providers from all over the Mohawk Valley and Central NY providing information on recovery and prevention services.

“We want to recognize all our partners who play a role in the recovery community, whether it’s inpatient or outpatient, support groups, peer services, life skills, or advocacy“, says CFLR’s CEO Cassandra Sheets. “All of us together share a piece of the success stories we’re now writing. The Mohawk Valley is fortunate to have strong, community-minded leaders. For the friends and loved ones who are rebuilding their lives in recovery, the support they find locally helps to increase their chances of success.  This area has numerous resources to help individuals and families get clean, sober, and achieve long-term recovery.  More importantly, those resources work together to customize individual plans for the road to recovery,” Sheets said.

The awareness breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26th at Hart’s Hill Inn at 8:30am in Whitesboro and is open to the public. Tickets are $25 and are available online at https://www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com/calendar/cflr-annual-breakfast/

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News
01
Apr
2022

CFLR Urges Parents to Get Informed on Youth Opioid Crisis

CFLR Urges Parents to Get Informed on Youth Opioid Crisis

Utica, NY – With the recent news story of seven West Point Academy cadets who overdosed on cocaine laced with fentanyl during spring break, the Center for Family Life and Recovery is urging parents to educate themselves and their children on the rising risks of opioid use, particularly drugs laced with fentanyl. As of 3/9 in Oneida county alone there have been 49 non-fatal overdoses and 6 fatal overdoses.

“Overdoses are happening in every community. People are dying, our youth and young adults are dying– this is a crisis.” says Director of Prevention Services, Jodi Klostreich at the Center for Family Life and Recovery. “With the rise in mental health issues among our youth, they are taking more risks with substances and alcohol. And now, fentanyl-laced drugs have become the next wave of the opioid crisis. CFLR wants every parent and community member to know the trends, and to share with their children that drugs are not safe, and dealers don’t care if there is loss of life…it’s a business, and that is it.”  She also states, “It’s so easy to lace any substance or beverage and you won’t know it, smell it, it won’t even look different.”

According to a United State Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) official, “Pills and other potent drugs on our streets are everywhere and no one is immune to accidentally overdosing if they use or abuse drugs. Heroin and fentanyl should be a conversation with our youth. Fentanyl is 100 times more powerful than morphine.  As little as one gram of fentanyl can kill 500 people. It doesn’t take a lot to kill.”

CFLR wants parents and community members to also be trained and educated on Naloxone (Narcan) and why it’s so critical to have on hand. In an overdose situation, Narcan can possibly save someone’s life.

CFLR offers FREE NARCAN education and training.  If your school, agency, college, or any community members want to know more about CFLR’s Prevention and Recovery Department’s programs and services, call CFLR’s main line at (315)733-1709.  If you think your loved one is already dealing with an addiction, CFLR offers family support services as well. For more information on the many services and programs we offer, visit https://www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News, Prevention
29
Mar
2022

National Prescription Take Back Drive Through

National Prescription Take Back Drive Through

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and Local Police Departments are working together in collaboration to “Take Back” unused/or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications, including pet medications by offering drive-through events.

Posted by Dominica Liscio in CFLR In Action, Prevention
23
Feb
2022

30 in 30

30 in 30

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. inviting individuals to a special introduction to a virtual support for those on the journey of recovery.

Utica, New York (February 2022) – Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is launching a virtual event for individuals, family members, community members, and professionals in the Recovery Field on March 5th from 1-3pm. Three of the developers, Lureen McNeil, Kristopher Moses, and Ambi Daniel, Family Support Navigator at Center for Family Life & Recovery, will be hosting a guided tour of the resources available on oasas.ny.gov/30-in-30 and how to best use the site as an active resource. The 30 in 30 focuses on multiple pathways to recovery, video journal entries about real challenges and successes, written resources families can use, and information from some of the most influential subject matter experts in the field.

30 in 30 is a statewide effort. Addiction remains a serious threat to public health and well-being. Overdose deaths exceeded 100,000 in the 12 -month period ending in April 2021. This represents a 28 percent increase from the prior year. 1 Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 95,000 deaths each year or 261 deaths per day. 2 Additionally, it is estimated that only 11 percent of people who needed treatment in 2018, sought and received treatment. 3 The Change Theory, 4 is one way to understand substance use disorder. The theory says that people change through predictable stages that include Precontemplation, Contemplation, Decision, Action, and Maintenance. Especially for individuals in precontemplation or contemplation where it is important to inform, inspire and motivate individuals.

The Commission/Institute project elevates 30 voices of those in recovery every 30 days to help initiate recovery in those people in the pre-contemplative and contemplative phases by providing hope, information, resources, and support from real people who have all come about recovery in their own way.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News