Choices

BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE choices

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FINDING STRENGTH FROMWITHIN PATHWAYS To Recovery

Shaping the future

A New Place A New Journey

for Recovery Building Lasting Connections

Passion from Day One: Words from the VP

CALL US WE CAN HELP (419) 865- 569 0. 5151 Monroe Street, Suite 204 ‡ Toledo, Ohio 43623 ‡ ZZZ choicesbhc.com

CONTENTS INTERESTED IN MORE FROM Choices Behavioral Health Care? To learn more about our resources for living a healthy lifestyle, contact us!

6 Luther Jones: Shaping the future 10 Juan Hall: Passion fromday one 14 MaryWilliams: Building lasting connections 18 Raymond Scott: A calling to victory 22 Lee Ann Taylor: Celebrating success 28 Jeanette Limoli: A story of redemption 32 Kevin Norris: Relocating led to CHOICES 38 Anthony Lash: Pathways to recovery 42 Angie Tuttle: Creating newdreams 48 BrianMayle: A newplace, A new journey 52 Carrie Torres: I’ll walkwith you

3414 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44115 (216) 881-4060 www.choicesbhc.com

Choices Magazine is published by CRG Media.

Copyright 2021 CRG Media. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, excepting brief quotations in connection with reviews written specifically for inclusions in magazines or newspapers, or limited excerpts strictly for personal use. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

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BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE

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TOLEDO 5151 Monroe Street Suite 204 Toledo, Ohio 43623 (419)865-5690

F or four years, Luther Jones has been the CEO of CHOICES Toledo. More than 30 years into his personal recovery, he’s dedicated his career in clinical work to creating an environment that best supports every stage of a client’s journey. His position at CHOICES allows him to help shape the future of the program and ultimately provide an optimal experience for each of its clients. Shaping the future

We’re a program designed to help people get their lives back in order. Our clients come in with a variety of experiences that have often been setbacks. While beginning their recovery, they may have to deal with legal matters, financial situations, health issues, or tension with their families.Though these factors could ordinarily cause disruptions in their progress, we’re here to help them maneuver through all of this. How would you describe the purpose CHOICES holds in Toledo? Well, things have changed over the years. I was clinical director from the beginning of my time here. I then became a compliance officer and later became the executive director. A lot of my work has to do with making the financial and administrative decisions that help us tend to and exceed the requirements of our clients’ needs. What is your specific role at CHOICESToledo?

Here at CHOICES, our responsibility is to provide a family atmosphere for our clients that allows them to become comfortable with all our staff. We’re not a program with a thousand clients coming through the doors. We have, at most, 12 people in each of our groups. With many recovery programs, even though clients are encouraged to attend meetings, they just aren’t able to find that pillar of support that’s enough to keep them going. Here, everyone knows each others’ names, and so do our counselors.This allows us to give our clients individualized support that’s specific to the needs of their recovery. How does the program’s environment aid in the best recovery for a client?

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What are some specific steps toward recovery you’re providing the clients of this community?

Many of our group discussions focus on the core of interrupting barriers that have been consistent struggles, whether that be trauma, mental health disorders, or strains in family relationships. Addressing these factors involves personal inspection and requires that open, familial communication between our clients and staff. By achieving this level of comfort, we can then advance their progress in recovery.

What we’re offering here at CHOICES is positively changing the trajectory of so many people’s lives. My staff and I are working to spread the word about the benefit of these services so more people know about us and can access what can be their pivotal point. Expanding our outreach initiatives while continuing our personalized in-house care is what we’re passionate about and what we’ll continue doing for as long as our community needs us. What short or long-term goals are you and the CHOICES staff working to achieve? One of the most significant hurdles for people recovering from addiction is being away from friends and family.There can be a void there, and I understand that. I think it’s so important to ensure everyone here feels supported and that they really have counselors and doctors who are here to stand in that gap for them. How do your personal experiences in recovery allow you to better assist people in the early stages of their process?

“Here at CHOICES, our responsibility is to provide a family atmosphere for our clients that allows them to become comfortable with all our staff.”

-Luther Jones, CEO of CHOICESToledo

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Passion from Day One:

Words from the VP

-Juan Hall, Vice President CHOICES “Kids were coming to us because their parents needed help.”

As Vice President of CHOICES Behavioral Health Care, Juan Hall manages the daily operations of all of the program’s multiple locations. The program was founded in 2011 on the core principle of empowering people to make well-informed decisions that would lead them to better their lives. When the program first started, it was primarily focused on addressing inner-city gang activity and youth who were dropping out of school. “Each of these cases is a result of dysfunctional situations, broken families, or drug-related issues,” Hall said. “We were trying to work with the kids to address some of those core issues.” When the program’s first site in Cleveland was preparing to open, Hall relocated from Toledo to assist with its clinical services. “Upon getting there, I quickly realized the scope of what we were doing in that niche. We were sitting around a table in meetings with all of these resources, but there were certain aspects that kept coming up. Kids were coming to us because their parents needed help. There were so many needs in the community.”

CHOICES Has Grown As the location grew over the years, Hall worked with the other founders to add behavioral and mental health services to the program. “We began to offer adult services, as well as alcohol and drug counseling. We also started doing family preservation sessions that were tied to the Department of Children and Family Services.” Now nearly 10 years into the program’s start, CHOICES has become a vital part of each of its locations’ communities. “Every day, we’re working with clients dealing with drug addictions ranging from marijuana to opiates. We’re providing mental health services that include anger management and counseling for depression, stress, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.” For each of the staff members, facilitating these services, working with their clients, and assisting them in walking in their new ways of life is a privilege. Helping Brings Joy “Just the simple gratification of knowing that we’re a part of someone’s life and helping them transition from hopelessness to hopefulness is motivating and powerful.”

Hall says the feedback he receives from clients is a testament that the program’s vision and staff are making positive impacts. “One of the things I hear most is that we seem to genuinely care about every person we work with and each of their needs. They initially put up resistance or opposition to our staff. But we do our best to keep them coming back. Five or six months later, they’re completely different and have made significant transitions from where they were to where they are now.” Though the scope of his work often comes with accumulating responsibilities, Hall says the daily opportunity to improve people’s lives brings immeasurable joy. “I do what I do because I love it. Being on the administrative side of everything, my job is twofold now in not only helping people but also securing passionate staff who are dedicated to this work. Just as much as I care about the clients who walk through these doors, I care about the employees and making sure they have everything they need to make the most difference in their work.”

-Juan Hall, Vice President CHOICES “Working with our clients is a priviledge.”

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Choices 5151 Monroe Street Suite 204 Toledo, Ohio 43623 (419) 865-5690 www.choicesbhc.com

for Recovery Building Lasting Connections The Right Path “Forever, forever, forever, and ever.” It ’s how long Mary Williams says she’ll be working as a counselor, whether paid or volunteer. She’s currently an independent counselor at the CHOICES’ location in Toledo. Since starting at the agency, Williams says the most rewarding part of her work is seeing the change in her clients throughout their time in the program. “It’s something I can identify with, so seeing it happen and seeing their progress is phenomenal.”

While counseling her clients, she is transparent about her previous struggle with addiction. Williams started drinking when she was 16. That habit grew to include using drugs like cocaine and stimulants. “It was basically whatever I could get my hands on at the time.” She dealt with this addiction for six years. When beginning her recovery process, Williams never went through a treatment program. Instead, she relied on caring counselors to help assist her in her decision for a better life. She says she believes her experiences allow her to understand and connect with her clients in ways she couldn’t if she hadn’t dealt with addiction. “I can identify with them because I was lost too. “When you don’t have the right people in your life to help guide or nurture you, you can become attracted to the wrong crowd. That was my story, and from what I feel, that ’s a lot of my clients’ stories.” Being open with them about her journey gives insight into the process of recovery from an individual perspective. “I want them to see that they’re not alone, that I was in their shoes. But this is where I am now. I stress that I’m no different from them. I say, ‘The only distance between you and me is that I just have more clean time than you. And that’s something you can achieve. "

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The connections she forms with her clients are ones she says wouldn’t be possible outside of CHOICES.The smaller size of the program provides a more intimate and comfortable setting for effective, supportive relationships. “I miss them when I’m not with them.They’re my little family. If one of them falls short in their journey, I’m disappointed, but I understand.That’s where I try to make sure I’m being that support they may be lacking.” Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, overdose rates have increased. Longer periods of isolation and economic turmoil have led to higher rates of depression and anxiety.These numbers paired with the already staggering numbers within the inner-city population of Toledo lead Williams to believe the work the CHOICES staff does is vital to the community. “It’s much needed.There are people dying from these overdoses. I think us being so truly transparent and passionate about helping our clients allows them to open up with us more than if they were somewhere that isn’t as personable as we are here. I think that factor makes a huge difference in actually helping someone turn their life around. Having that support is such a large part of their recovery, particularly at the beginning.” Williams says she is grateful for the daily impact she has on her clients. Her passionate investment in their recovery and well-being has led many of them to express their desire to become addiction counselors themselves. “And I believe a lot of them will become counselors. I think a large part of being a good counselor is being able to understand your clients. Otherwise, how can you help them? Having experiences with the grip, innermost traumas, and effects of addiction can help them connect with their clients and add even more value to their journeys.That’s what I feel every day.” ConnectingWith Clients

-Mary Williams “I can identify with them because I was lost too.”

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Toledo, Ohio 43623 ZZZ CHOICESBHC.COM

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“Addiction is a

disease...

We understand that addiction is a disease that needs to be treated as any other mental or pysical disease. Treatments vary depending on the disorder and the person. We have services that can help everyone live healthier lives. DON’T HESITATE TO CALL AND START TREATMENT RIGHT AWAY.

5151 Monroe Street Suite 204 | Toledo, OH 43623 | www. choicesbhc.com

Coaching Toledo’s Youngest A Calling to Victory

For nearly 35 years, Raymond Scott has coached basketball for children and teens living in and around Toledo. To those he coaches, he is a mentor, father figure and confidant. “All I want to do is keep these kids’ minds focused,” he said.This season, his group, the Toledo Glenwood Elite, is composed of 17 sixth to eighth-graders.The team often travels for tournaments to cities across the state like Annapolis, Oregon and Indianapolis. Born and raised in Toledo, Scott started playing basketball in middle school and continued playing while attending Start High School. His mother was a pastor and had nine children. From when Scott was younger, his mother told him working with children was his calling. “I saw inner-city kids who didn’t have clothes and were hungry.That’s all I thought about.” After graduating, he attended Central State University and played intramural basketball, but his time at the school was short. When his fiancee told him she was expecting a child, Scott dropped out of college and returned home. He then began working and volunteering as a coach at Start High and Glenwood Elementary School. As he was working with these children, Scott’s passion for his work began to grow. “I deal with a lot of single parents and a lot of kids whose dads or moms are not there. But I bring them in and tutor and mentor them.” He says his goal is to mentor children in underprivileged situations and help them stay out of unproductive activities.” Now nearly 35 years into his work, Scott says he’s reached thousands of children and teens in all parts of the

-John Doe, John Does' Position Title

“I’m there for my kids.”

community, as his efforts span beyond the court and into cultivating encouraging relationships with youth living in the inner city. “If these kids go to court, I’m there. When they’re in my practices, I’m there. I let them know that even when they grow up, I’m there.” While the coach is leading the youth to constructive mindsets and lifestyles in their personal lives, he is also helping them find victory on the court. In their games between September 2020 and February 2021, the team boasted a 90-2 win-loss record. “These kids can do anything they want to do. We have kids who have never traveled out of town or spent the night outside of their homes. Traveling to these games allows them to see outside of their current situations and get an actual grasp of what they can achieve.”

“These Kids Can Do Anything They Want to Do.”

-JRaymond Scott, Coach

Working the Team Throughout the history of the program, Scott has managed all the expenses from the team’s travels and associated costs through individual donations and money from his own pockets. He is now working with the executive director of the Choices Behavioral Health Center, Luther Jones, to form the group into a 501(c)(3) organization. In March 2020, Scott lost his job at the local labor union due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, he has received unemployment assistance.Though his income is currently restricted, Scott says funding the program remains a priority. “There have been times where I’ve taken money we could have used to pay the bills and bought coats for the kids or some extra lunches. Some years, it’s been tight. But I thank God that I’m in the position that I can actually do something for them.”

Over the years, as his teams have graduated, many of them have returned to thank their former coach for his guidance and unyielding love. “Ones that are now in other areas of their lives or have even been to prison will come back and say, ‘Coach, you were right about everything.Thank you for everything you taught us about and told us.’ Most of them will come back to the program and talk to the kids who are here now.” Scott has been diagnosed with asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure and often entertains thoughts of retiring from his work. “Every year, I say I need someone to come and fill my shoes. But, every year, God shows me I have to keep going. I love these kids, and I can’t stand to see any of them in need of something. My goal is to keep them believing that they can do better and show them they can get on the right track and stay focused.That’s my calling.”

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BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE

CLEVELAND 3414 Prospect Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115 (216)881-4060

CELEBRATING SUCCESS:

A Profile with CHOICESTherapist Le AnnTaylor

LeAnn Taylor is the lead therapist, an assessor and a part of the clinical program management team for CHOICES Cleveland. She works with current clients on their mental health assessments and assists new clients with the drug screenings required for intake into the center. She also facilitates behavioral health groups for emotional wellness. Taylor has worked in the field of mental health services since 2009. She primarily worked in schools and counseled children and their parents. Her interest in the field developed from a childhood dream of being a pediatrician or working with cancer patients. “I’d always thought I would work in one of those areas until I realized I had a fear of seeing blood,” she said. Her interest changed when she one day witnessed a high school counselor telling one of her friends that she wasn’t fit for attending college and should consider another route once graduating high school. “That really shook me, because I knew there had to be other ways to work with her and still encourage her to succeed. A counselor should be able to convey a client’s options to them in a manner that still gives them hope.” Combining these interests and experience along with seeing some of her family members struggle with mental health and substance abuse led Taylor to pursue mental health counseling.

“I’m Hoping People Can Learn a different way of being.”

Witnessing Change She attended Kent State University to receive her bachelor’s degree in psychology and conflict resolution and later received her master’s degree in community mental health counseling. Since starting at CHOICES, Taylor says her work allows her to witness change, whether on a small or large scale, within people who once did not imagine lives outside of addiction. “I’m hoping that people can learn a different way of being, a different way of living and a different way of accessing the support they need to successfully walk in recovery.”

“YOUR JOB IS YOUR OWN HEALING.”

-Le Ann Taylor,Therapist

Sobriety is a Celebration of Success

Every day of sobriety is a celebration of success, and celebrating with her clients gives Taylor greater motivation to continue in her work. “One of my clients recently celebrated his second sobriety anniversary. I took him to lunch because I really wanted him to relish that experience.That was two years clean for him and two years without any legal trouble. Before he got here, he’d never been out of jail for more than seven to nine months at a time.”Taylor says she gets excited about being able to be a part of her clients’ journeys that will lead to them changing other people’s lives. “Your job is to get your own healing. Once you do, you then have to share it with others.” Taylor one day hopes to host a TED Talk and provide an audience with information about dealing with the grief associated with trauma. “That’s often the reason that people start using substances and drinking alcohol in the first place.They’re trying to erase or forget some traumatic experience.” She says understanding those “seeds that were once planted” will allow people to experience tremendous growth within themselves. It’s a lesson she shares with her clients and hopes they continue to absorb and apply as she encourages them on their journeys.

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IT’STIME TOTAKE YOURLIFE BACK

3414 Prospect Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44115

choicesbhc.com

216.881.4060

BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE

COLUMBUS 750 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43222 (614)732-4810

CHOICES’ Jeanette Limoli

Her True Calling

Limoli, who had already secured employment at Columbus, Ohio-based CHOICES Behavioral Health Care, decided to further her education while working and earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical dependency from Ohio Christian University in 2015. Limoli remains thrilled about her choice to become a counselor and is convinced that she found her true calling. “I started working here in August 2014 and I’ve met some really great people here,” Limoli said. “Most importantly, I’m happy and feel like this is where I was supposed to be. It was hard to leave such a high-paying job and earn so little at Dunkin’ Donuts, but I knew these were the steps that I needed to take to get where I wanted to be.” Limoli distinctly recalls all the people who doubted her ability to succeed and she’s proud of her vast array of accomplishments since receiving parole. Still, perhaps more than anything else, she feels blessed to be in her grandchildren’s lives.

Tough Love

Limoli believes that her no-nonsense approach has helped her mature into a solid counselor. Moreover, she believes that she’s gained the trust of her clients and learned how to manage stressful situations in the workplace in a positive way. “I’m anything but a wimp,” Limoli said. “I’m strict and tough, but I’m also very loving and supportive. Basically, I’m a straight shooter and I won’t baby my clients. People need to know that they are messing up and, if they don’t make changes and keep it up, they are going to die. With that said, it’s still tough and painful to watch people sink and leave before the miracle of recovery can happen. But thank God for the one person out of five who actually wants help and works with you to get sober, improve, and grow.” Jeanette Limoli has overcome countless obstacles to become an inspiration to many people across the Buckeye State and that is undoubtedly one way she will “ be remembered.”

“Everyone counts you out when you are an addict and felon,” Limoli, a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III (LCDC III) who plans to become a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) in February after earning her second master’s degree, said. “You can either become what people tell you that you are or you can become better. You know, I still remember a parole officer who refused to call me by my first name. To her, my name was just my prison number. She motivated me to do better and prove her wrong and I have. In fact, I’ve accomplished every goal that I made since leaving the penitentiary. I’m able to participate in my grandkids’ lives and I’ve repaired bridges. To me, it’s not about money. To me, it’s about how I’ll be remembered and about what will be put on my tombstone.”

“You can either become what people tell you that you are or you can become better. “

-Jeanette Limoli

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WE HAVE ANSWERS (614) 732-4810.

750 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43222 www. choicesbhc.com

CONTACT US TODAY! 614 732 4810

Joining our counseling programs is easy to do. Simply call our office to arrange an appointment. WHY WAIT?

A RESPECTED COUNSELOR

I remember having to heat cold water to wash my body. Because of my experiences growing up, I can relate to a lot of people who visit our facility and I think that makes a big difference.” Norris enjoys being a part of Columbus’ community and he’s found counseling to be an exceptionally rewarding career. In particular, Norris has taken pride in watching his dedicated clients transform their lives and become success stories. “To see where some clients are today, in comparison to when I met them, is very meaningful to me,” Norris said. “In fact, it’s enlightened me and pushed me to keep growing in this field. You have to have an open mind and understand these people’s situations and the traumas that they’ve experienced.They’re trying to improve every day to become the people they want to become.The experience of really being able to understand addiction and being able to help people is amazing to me.” Despite enjoying many positive experiences, Norris acknowledges that counseling can be a trying and emotionally taxing job. Still, he’s learned how to manage stressful situations and remain focused on his work. “My colleagues and I have all faced challenges and stressful situations,” Norris admitted. “Whenever I feel stressed, I just talk with my coworkers. It really helps. Another key is that I learned to put my emotions to the side and I keep walking into work every day with my head held high. Plus, over time, I’ve realized that our clients can’t do it all on their own because they need assistance. I mean, some of these individuals have been addicted to substances since they were teenagers. Don’t ever look down on anybody, because you never know what they’ve been through.”

Life hasn’t always been a fairytale for Kevin Norris, as he grew up relatively poor in Lima, Ohio. Looking to start anew, Norris relocated to Ohio’s capital city, Columbus, in 2016 and secured employment at CHOICES Behavioral Health Care as a lab technician in October of that year. He thrived at the agency from the outset and, roughly nine months later, was promoted to its lobotomy lab. “The experience here has been wonderful,” Norris said. “I’ve really grown here being around my colleagues and clients. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Evidently, the clients’ experiences working with Norris has also been “wonderful.” Norris’ former supervisor, Shawn Tillman, noticed that a growing number of clients were specifically requesting to speak with him. Tillman quickly concluded that Norris had the potential to become a talented counselor and he urged him to continue his education. Norris heeded Tillman’s advice and enrolled at nearby Columbus State Community College. “I studied hard and earned an associate’s degree in social work and chemical dependency counseling,” Norris said. “It’s been off to the races since then!” There are an array of reasons why Norris has matured into a respected counselor. However, his somewhat difficult upbringing has provided him with the ability to empathize with clients and that’s proved to be an invaluable trait. “Lima can be tough,” Norris said. “I came from its streets and know what it’s like to be homeless. I remember going to shelters to eat. I remember not having electricity to turn the lights on in the house.

“I studied hard and earned an associate’s degree in social work and chemical dependency counseling, it’s been off to the races since then!”

-Kevin Norris

WHEN THE PAST CALLS, LET IT GO TO VOICEMAIL. BELIEVE ME, IT HAS NOTHING NEW TO SAY.

CALL US INSTEAD

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In our programs, people in recovery are encouraged and supported to be fully involved in the entire recovery process from the screening and assessment procedure, to planning their recovery treatment services, and eventually, developing their Continuing Care Plan when transitioning out of the program.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE

PORT CLINTON 126 East Perry Street Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 (419)960-4009

PATHWAYS To Recovery

FINDING STRENGTH FROMWITHIN

S ince starting his position in the summer as a CHOICES site manager, Anthony Lash oversees the Port Clinton location’s daily operations. He meets with clients for mental health counseling, consults with doctors to ensure they have adequate medical supplies at the facility, and supervises clinicians. In light of the effects of the pandemic, Lash says more focus has been placed on tailoring the program’s services to clients’ mental needs. “There’s just a huge need for mindfulness and coping skills, increased sensitivity, and just giving people an overall sense that they’re being heard and can express their frustrations and feelings,” Lash said. Through the program’s counseling services, clinicians are offering additional advice to managing daily stressors that accompany some of the isolation from the pandemic. “We’re hoping to provide ideas for our clients to find strengths

within themselves. We want to show them there’s hope and that their experiences during the pandemic can be growing opportunities to deal with any future challenges.”

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- Anthony Lash, CHOICES Site Manager “WITNESSING THE SMILES AND OPTIMISM THEYWALK OUT WITH IS UNLIKE ANYTHING I’VE EVER EXPERIENCED.”

Tailored Experience

Lash says any feedback received from clients allows him and other counselors the opportunity to continue improving the program and its services. “We look at how we can integrate their ideas into the topics for group sessions, for example. Those considerations might go to helping others who are in the program. If someone is struggling with relationships or emotional pain, our priority needs to be addressing that. So just because I have an agenda for the day doesn’t mean I can’t put that down to make sure I’m tailoring these sessions to what the group might need at that moment. We really are here for our clients, and since they’re the ones actually going through the program, we need to do whatever we can to make sure that process is as smooth and supportive as possible for them.” To continue improving and expanding the program, Lash says he’s working to increase client awareness within the Port Clinton community. Meetings with outside providers, upgrades to the facility, and a behavioral management initiative are all planned to create a more comprehensive layout of services. “We just want to make sure that anything our clients say they need that will assist them in their recovery, we can either directly provide them with or have the partnerships to be able to access it.”

Bridging the Gap

Before starting at CHOICES, Lash began his career in counseling working with children dealing with behavioral disorders. “I then moved up to adolescents before working my way up to drug and alcohol prevention.” The transition between fields came as he became aware of struggles with mental health within his own family. “It just happened naturally. I have a family history of behavioral issues that I was aware of when I was younger, but as I started working in fields related to mental health, I really began to realize the real need to bridge the gap between mental health and addiction.” Once beginning his current position, Lash was able to see the rewarding aspects of his daily work. “I love being a part of the transition that starts with people coming in just searching for help and the first steps to changing their lives. Seeing that search end and them leaving the program being clean and successful is a process I don’t think I’ll ever fully absorb.” Receiving gratitude from clients about their progression and successes is a part of what keeps Lash and his fellow caregivers humbled to assist in their clients’ paths to recovery. “Witnessing the smiles and optimism they walk out with is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

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drug addiction is common

but treatment IS AVAILABLE WWW.CHOICESBHC.COM (419) 960-4009

Angie Tuttle has been a client of CHOICES Port Clinton since October 2019. She says the program has given her a renewed perspective on life and encouraged dreams she once would have never considered. WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE SINCE YOU’VE BEEN AT CHOICES? I’ve learned a lot from the sessions, especially the one-on-ones. I’ve felt safe and gotten to work on the issues that were rooted in my life and that I overlooked for so long.The counselors give us pointers and coping skills to go back out into the world and know how to function around possible influences. I first started here coming three times a week, and throughout that time, they’ve held me accountable.That gave me the foundation to build a support group. I learned that CHOICES was a dual program in that it has mental health counseling along with drug and alcohol counseling. I had a 17- year addiction to heroin that led to multiple prison sentences. I’ve also lost several family members to overdoses. So when I heard about the services that CHOICES offers, I knew this was the type of program I needed to be in, something that would help me address both mental trauma and addiction. HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY LEAD YOU TO THIS PROGRAM?

“The counselors give us pointers and coping skills to go back out into the world and know how to function around possible influences. ”

-Angie Tuttle

A PROFILE WITH CLIENT ANGIE TUTTLE

New Dreams Creating

PLEASE CALL US. WE’RE HERE TO HELP. (419) 960-4009 126 East Perry Street ‡ Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 www.choicesbhc.com

VISIT US TODAY! www.choicesbhc.com

(419) 960-4009

WWW.CHOICESBHC.COM

A New Place A New Journey

Brian Mayle Makes Choices

“From day one, my counselor and I just clicked. I knew it was going to be a great experi- ence.” Brian Mayle first started attending the CHOICES program in March 2020. He’s felt supported since his first day in the program. “The doctors are great. The nurses are great. Everyone takes their job very seriously. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.” While staying consistent on his medication schedule has been an important part of his recovery, Mayle says the counseling sessions have also been invaluable to continuing his walk of sobriety. “Without a complete recovery program, your chances of succeeding are very low. The staff here at CHOICES has put together an entire program that specifically addresses the physical, mental, and emotional elements of recovery.”

Mayle’s struggle with addiction began when he was 27 after his doctor pre- scribed him opiates for a back injury. He followed his treatment schedule but soon became attached to the medication. “Eventually, one pill wasn’t good enough,” he said. “So I went to four, but then that wasn’t enough. I didn’t realize how addictive they were until my prescription ran out and I couldn’t function without them.” When he tried to pull away from the dos- Celebrating Sobriety

es, he felt sick. “I knew I was having with- drawals. I started buying the meds off the streets when my prescription ran out.” Years of taking opiates soon led to inject- ing heroin. After years of dealing with those addictions, Mayle sought out help. “I just kept encountering new beasts that consumed my entire life at the time. I was at my lowest and couldn’t even get out of bed. I realized I would either die from those addictions or I would get clean.” Mayle spent years in and out of various

"From day one, my counselor and I just clicked. I knew it was going to be a great experience." -Brian Mayle

SUB HEAD HERE rehabilitation and treatment centers but strug- gled with relapse after the death of his father. He later decided to resume his treatment and started the online search that led him to CHOICES of Port Clinton. “I went for an assessment, and everything just clicked. After I started, I immersed myself in the program.” He began with three sessions each week, along with a visit with his counselor. Mayle attributes much of his success in the program to the dedicated work of its coun- selors. “They’re amazing. It’s hard to describe how much they care.” He’s now advanced to attending group sessions just once a week. “I’ve been fully dedicated since starting, and this program has made it easy for me to feel that way.” Between the medication plan and the counselors, Mayle says his new experi- ence of recovery has given him an improved perspective. “I want to look into getting a job somewhere as a counselor myself one day. I want to take advantage of everything CHOIC- ES has offered me.” In addition to mental health and addiction counseling, the program has also offered legal assistance with some of Mayle’s cases. “I had a couple of charges from some gun trouble I was in and was looking at a couple of felo- nies. Because I’ve proven how dedicated I am to sustaining this new life, the staff here have helped me get that reduced to a misdemean- or and avoid jail time. That’s been tremen- dous, and they’ve helped me in every aspect of my life. I can’t thank them enough.” Since starting at CHOICES, Mayle has passed every one of his drug tests and is working to cele- brate a full year of sobriety.

"I went for an assessment and everything just clicked."

-Brian Mayle

www.choicesbhc.com PLEASE CALL US. WE’RE HERE TO HELP. (419) 960-4009 126 East Perry Street ‡ Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 www.choicesbhc.com

Don’t Become Another Statistic.

CHOICES 419 960-4009 www.choicesbhc.com

“We’re all human, and we’ve all made mistakes. But we can choose to get better. I tell my clients if they give me 100 percent effort, I’ll give them 110 percent effort.”

Since I’ve resumed counseling and started working at CHOICES, I’ve been able to share with my clients some of the biggest triggers that tempted me to use again. I feel like I can better identify those struggles in my clients, and we can directly address them. I believe because my clients know my story they’re more willing to trust me and know that I’m here to support them in their new lives. As recovering addicts, we’ve essentially blown up our lives and are attempting to sort through the wreckage of it. I want them to understand that I know where they’re coming from and that I empathize with them. One thing I stress is accountability. We let our situations get out of control, but I don’t want the thought to stop there. We’re all human, and we’ve all made mistakes. But we can choose to get better. I tell my clients if they give me 100 percent effort, I’ll give them 110 percent effort. Show me you want this, and I’ll do everything to make sure you get it. ‘I’ll walk with you,’ I tell them. identify with some of their situations. I know what to look for. Having so much experience in counseling, I thought there wasn’t a lot I didn’t understand. But being an addict myself made me realize there’s a lot I may not have understood that I now can include in my perspective. Before dealing with addiction, I had everything. I had my dream, my house, my kids. But during those two years of abusing drugs, I blew up my life. When my prescriptions ran out, I went seeking them outside of my doctor. I went to jail for two months. That was a humbling experience to be on the other side of everything. I was arrested by the same police officers I previously worked side-by-side with. I was doing drug screens at the same place I was once licensed. Accountability is Key

- CARRIE TORRES

I also understand and have a great desire to help them through the stigmas that are often attached to people in recovery. Addiction can affect anyone. No one’s immune to it, but there’s often a negative perspective attached to people struggling with addiction or in the process of treatment. I want to help take that away. The part about this program that makes these aspects of my job doable is the attention I can give to my clients. Throughout my 15 years in counseling, I’ve worked at a lot of different agencies. Many of them aren’t able to provide their clients with one-on- one attention like we do here. I have a small group of clients I can individually tend to and uncover what’s going on. I think that’s what makes this program different and makes my work more valuable both as a counselor and someone in recovery.”

(419) 865-5690

5151 Monroe Street, Suite 204, Toledo, Ohio 43623

choicesbhc.com

TOLEDO 5151 Monroe Street Suite 204 Toledo, Ohio 43623 419.865.5690 CLEVELAND 3414 Prospect Avenue Cleveand, Ohio 44115 216.881.4060 COLUMBUS 750 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43222 614.732.4810 PORT CLINTON 126 East Perry Street Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 419.960.4009