sobriety, those underlying causes haven’ t gone anywhere. Everyone needs therapy. Therapy helps everyone, even with chronic pain, one of the hardest addictions to treat. Cannabis helps many but not all. However, anything and everything wrong with us responds to the alternative therapy of sun and dirt.”
I think when Hatch is an NP, she will write prescriptions for sun and dirt.
Where to Turn
Your team of family and friends are indispensable in assisting with the recovery process during and after detox.
Insured versus Uninsured
Medical detox programs exist for both insured and uninsured. If a family member or friend ends up in the ER, they will have access to a three-day stay for detox. During this time, when emergent inpatient care is needed, we start building our teams. It will be up to family and friends to work with the case manager to develop the best possible plan to help loved ones going forward.
I am over 65, which means I have insurance out the wazoo. But I’ m in the minority. Most who suffer from scary brain monsters, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and disorders needing the assistance of a health care provider are under 65. Insurance for the middle class has become unaffordable; however, individual states are doing a much better job of providing mental health resources for all.
“ If you have insurance through a job, use your EAP( employee assistance program). Unfortunately, these programs are underutilized,” Hatch explained.
Mental Health is often still considered a personal flaw, a weakness, along with the underlying fear of our employer finding out. However, mental fitness is necessary for a functioning society, so seek help regardless. Looking back on my life at 70, I would have gladly taken the opportunity to attend a 28-day program. A month of doing nothing but working on myself and maybe reading a book? Sounds like paradise.
During our conversation, Hatch continued to emphasize the need for peer support.“ Some people have found great success with AA and‘ California sober’ AA communities, where cannabis use is accepted and encouraged as medical marijuana becomes recognized as safe medicine. Not everyone responds best to cannabis, but everyone does respond to sun and dirt.
“ Outdoor activities, especially with people who are going through similar experiences, are another critical component to healing. As my friend Dolores says on occasion, getting old is painful, and not for the faint of heart,” Hatch laughed.“ Sunshine and dirt are both exercise and an antidepressant.”
Truth. No matter what hurts, I can be distracted with a garden and a joint, which is why having cannabis products available is critical to any quality of life, especially to us old folks.
Resources
“ Rediscover Urgent Care in downtown KCMO has walk-in urgent care for children and adults. You can walk in, see a therapist, social worker, or case manager, get medications to help the withdrawal symptoms or a mental health crisis, be admitted for emergency detox, and receive assistance with finding community resources. Most states have a map of‘ Catchment’ areas across the state for mental health services. A three-day detox is available to everyone through the nearest ER. Calling 988 is the 911 of a mental health crisis. There are resources available,” explained Hatch.
A quick internet search led me to MO. gov, which took me to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Department of Behavioral Health Maps. There are nineteen categories on the site, including Mobile Crisis Response and individual placement and support services around the state.
And as always, Hatch knows the necessity of going outside, soaking up sunshine, and digging in the dirt. If you don’ t have a place to dig and plant, most communities have community gardens, which is also a lovely way to meet people who are also trying to improve their lives for the better!
“ Above all, be intentional about your desire to heal. Intentionality is critical. And did I mention sun and dirt?” Hatch said, laughing.
So please, do as our beloved Nurse Hatch says, not as I did! Mea Culpa, dear readers. Happy healing, friends!’’
Dolores Montgomery Halbin, RN, BSN, and Ordained Nurse Minister, resides in SW Missouri. After her husband passed in 2015, she retired from nursing. She worked with the 2014-2018 Missouri campaigns for legalized medical marijuana. She continues as a cannabis reform activist working toward Federal decriminalization through educational speaking and freelance journalism. Doloreshalbin @ gmail. com.
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