“Life In Recovery,” a new peer-led support group for clients of MiraVista’s Opioid Treatment Program, is launching at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center this fall. Together with a Master’s Level clinician, the group will be led by, Crystal Grzelak who has shared her recovery experience at MiraVista, including in a video about OTP on the hospital’s website, in recent years.
“The integration of individuals in recovery into substance use treatment programs as peer-to-peer support has been shown to help sustain recovery,” said Kimberley Lee, Chief of Creative Strategy and Development for MiraVista. “It allows individuals in long-term recovery to share their lived experience to help others, especially those early in recovery, build confidence in navigating their own path of recovery.”
“Life In Recovery” provides a space to share experiences of those in recovery, talk about challenges and exchange ideas and practices to support and help its members. Participants will explore ways to overcome difficult situations and learn to experience all that life has to offer without substances. Through conversation, arts and crafts and other activities, while building friendships, the group’s focus is to prevent the feeling of being alone in recovery.
OTP provides Medication-Assisted Treatment with methadone through its clinic and counseling for the medical condition of Opioid Use Disorder in those 18 years and older and is part of the psychiatric hospital’s addiction treatment services.
“I never expected this was the path my life was going to take,” Grzelak has said of her own use of substances. “When you first start doing these things, you think it is just a good time or makes you feel better. You don’t expect this is actually going to make you very, very sick. I started the clinic because I didn’t want to be sick anymore.”
She has said this eventually turned into “enjoying life and wanting to be clean” and has described OTP’s clinicians as listeners who “nudge you in the right direction without telling you what to do” and its peer support groups as where members “can learn from each other.”
Other recovery services at MiraVista include the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for individuals who do not require medical detoxification for substance use but who want more therapeutic services than outpatient counseling. Its sessions follow a four-week curriculum. Free transportation is offered for both IOP and OTP.
MiraVista has a program conducted over 16 weeks for referrals from Mass Courts as part of the Massachusetts Impaired Driver Program. Second and Multiple Offenders Aftercare Services for referrals from Mass Courts are also available.
Grzelak’s video may be viewed at https://www.miravistabhc.care/i-have-stayed-committed-i-want-to-live-without-drugs/.
For additional information on “Life in Recovery” or any of MiraVista’s treatment options, please contact Kim Lee at klee@miravistabhc.care or 413-264-3042.
MiraVista Behavioral Health Center opened in April of 2021 in Holyoke, Mass. MiraVista offers psychiatric care services for both adults and adolescents, as well as an array of recovery treatment programs including outpatient services such as substance use individual and group counseling, day and evening Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), court-ordered services, and outpatient Medication Supported Recovery and Massachusetts Impaired Driving programs.
MiraVista cares for thousands of individuals from across New England. MiraVista’s purpose is to provide effective, inspiring care for those challenged by mental health and substance use so they are empowered to lead fulfilling lives.