Project RETURN – Changes Support Groups - Milwaukee, WI

About Project RETURN – Changes Support Groups

Project RETURN - Changes Support Groups was added in 2018 to the program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to help reduce recidivism rates in the community. Project RETURN helps people who have been incarcerated to transition and reintegrate into the community. They offer weekly drug and alcohol counseling support groups at their offices and a minimum security prison. The groups are facilitated by a certified substance abuse counselor with over two decades of experience.

You can participate in the program through a referral from the Department of Corrections, or you can refer yourself. Counseling helps reduce the risk of relapse and provides you with the structured assistance to help maintain your sobriety. Changes Support Groups provides a stable and supportive network of peers who are returning to the community after incarceration. Other members of the circle of support include community volunteers and a trained circle keeper. The group provides a structured process for members to grow together and learn from each other.

The goal is to help heal you from trauma that you may have experienced through poverty and crime and from the direct impact that incarceration had on your mental and emotional health. Alongside individual Changes Support Groups, they also offer a Family Circle that meets once a month to help support family members of individuals who have been incarcerated. Within the family support groups, members explore topics that have impacted their lives, including the incarceration of a loved one.

The program opened in 1980 as Cross Lutheran Church attempted to address the challenge of high recidivism in Milwaukee. They are supported financially by several foundations and accept donations from the public in items or funds to help support the programs.

The program is located along the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin’s largest city. Milwaukee boasts attractions like the Art Museum, Harley-Davidson Museum, and one of the world’s largest music festivals – Summerfest.

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Project RETURN - Changes Support Groups WI 53212

Location

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

Outpatient

Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.

12-Step

12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).

Aftercare Support

Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Treatments

The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.

The goal of drug rehab in Wisconsin is to address drug addiction as a complex issue that involves physical, mental, and relational aspects. During rehab, treatment focuses on each of these areas and gives you the tools you need to achieve and maintain sobriety.

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Programs

Adult Program

Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.

Clinical Services

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.