Choice Recovery Counseling

01/30/2026

One of those transparent posts that involves emotions and vulnerability ahead...divert your eyes if necessary...

There's a good chance none of this needs to be said. But...regardless...I (Lacey) would like to say something that's been weighing on me pretty heavily for awhile. I know CRC has changed this past year. The office door isn't open as many hours as it used to be. I don't have as many openings as I used to for outpatient counseling. Peer Support and Care Coordination is present at the office less days a week than in past years.

But...we are still here. We are just changing. And change is pretty damn hard, honestly. Sometimes it can feel like operating on blind faith.

I made a choice about 2 years ago to pursue a mental health license and am in the deep of it. This comes with a lot of 'stuff' internally and externally. The reason for that degree and license is that I no longer believe I can only provide substance use counseling to effectively treat people seeking recovery. I believe wholeheartedly that trauma also needs to be addressed in order to treat the mind, body, and spirit. In order to do this adequately, it is necessary to obtain those skills in a 110% legit way. I now spend 20 hours a week at ConnectUs Therapy for my internship for Clinical Counseling, which has probably (although I hate to admit it) been a godsend for my professional and personal growth. It's no secret that I'm a bit antisocial and stay pretty focused on my small circle. ConnectUs's environment challenges that in a beautiful way.

I love CRC and what I believe it has represented for a long time. It's a sacred space for me, and I can never describe what this agency represents to my whole being. That includes anyone in the CRC family. I hope it remains a soft place to land for anyone and everyone who has ever come here. I will work my hardest to make sure it is ALWAYS here. I've experienced a deep type of grief lately in my knowledge of how it is changing. Groups are smaller. It's a little quieter around here. And knowing that my availability here at the office is going to remain less than optimal for longer than I'd like. After graduation and licensure, I will continue to work outside of CRC for a few days a week, which will continue to benefit my personal and professional growth until I eventually land back at CRC full-time. This doesn't mean that CRC goes away...and I believe that it will continue to grow in availability in other ways through that time. The peer support programs we have right now are stable and will continue to grow. We will be able to spend more time in the jail locally VERY SOON (ironically one of my favorite places). We will have food and hygiene resources available anytime the door is open. Myself and the other ladies working here will be stable in our own self-care routines...which means we are fully present and available for you. I hope it can be recognized that less time at the office means more time for necessary self-care that some of us have mistakenly neglected previously because of our previous over-availability. While the majority of this change is completely intentional and focused on a long-term goal...I understand that there are unintentional losses associated such as open office hours and staff availability. Despite those growing pains...there are open evaluation times, a scheduled DUI seminar, open slots for FTR/Community Connect participants, and our trusty Tuesday night discussions.

In closing, please don't hesitate to call, text, email, or inquire about open services. Despite some of the limited hours, I am 100% confident we are one of the most dedicated and heartful crew you will work with. We know change...we live it and offer it openly to everyone we work with. Thanks for the continued support and love. Thanks to those of you who answer my self-doubting texts and offer encouragement. Thanks to ConnectUs for making space for me and providing me with opportunities that most interns would never get. Thanks to Lisa and Jo for literally saving the FTR and CC programs exactly when it was needed. And...that's all.

01/29/2026

Hi everyone. CRC is lucky to have a couple amazing Certified Peer Supports and a Care Coordinator to offer in the Free Through Recovery and Community Connect programs. If you have questions about how to get connected please reach out! Also attached is the application link for Community Connect:

https://www.hhs.nd.gov/behavioral-health/community-connect/community-connect/apply

I can't thank these two enough for their flexibility and commitment to rolling with the evolution of what Choice Recovery is right now, as well as the general day-to-day stuff they deal with!

01/19/2026

Mantra for Monday (and any day). Whether it's your sobriety, your parenting, your fitness, or your mental health....always remember to consider the source of feedback. We don't have to react with outright resistance to the non-constructors, but we need to be aware that we live in a society where we are over-loaded with advice and nonapplicable comparisons. Constant flooding on social media...texts about what we "should" do...it's freely given. If you need permission this week to simply nod your head and keep your confidence in check, here it is. Find your people who have been there and have constructed something you want to build yourself. You're allowed to be picky on who you let inside your head.

01/17/2026

Hello Saturday....

01/08/2026

🙌🙌

01/06/2026

People heal in spaces where they feel safe.

Women’s Trauma Support Group 🤍

You don’t have to carry it alone.

This trauma-informed group is a supportive space for women navigating the lasting impacts of trauma, stress, or overwhelming life experiences. Together, we focus on safety, connection, and practical tools to support emotional regulation and healing—without pressure to share more than feels comfortable.

✨This group is FREE thanks to support from the ConnectUs Foundation

📅 Every other Wednesday starting 1/7/26 at 4:00- 5:00 PM
📩 ConnectUs Therapy Location 2: 2407 2nd Ave W Suite B​
📍 Register here and staff from ConnectUs will be in contact: https://forms.gle/3V8BvzoyWZ5GZXRN6

Healing happens in safe connection.

01/06/2026

Do you need help finding insurance coverage/looking for health insurance? Let us help you get started! ⬇️

01/04/2026

This. ❤️.

01/01/2026

What advice would you leave for sober-curious people trying out Dry January? Drop it below 👇👇👇

01/01/2026

🚨 Community Safety Alert 🚨

We are seeing a shift in the local drug supply, along with a concerning rise in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses over the past week, with a sharp increase reported in just the last 72 hours.

Authorities report increased findings of what is commonly referred to as “purple,” a combination of fentanyl, xylazine, and nitazenes, including one nitazene in particular called metatomidine. These substances significantly increase overdose risk due to their extreme potency and unpredictable effects.

Public health and law enforcement officials warn that fentanyl and related synthetic opioids are being found in substances people may not expect, including co***ne, crack co***ne, and methamphetamine. Because these compounds are difficult to detect without testing, even occasional or recreational use can carry serious and life-threatening risk.

We urge everyone to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, which may include:
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
• Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
• Blue or darkened lips and fingernails, or gray/ashen skin tone
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Vomiting or a limp body
• Slow, irregular, or absent pulse

Law enforcement and public health officials are encouraging steps to reduce risk and save lives, including:
• Carrying naloxone (Narcan) and knowing how to use it
• Using fentanyl test strips when available
• Avoiding using alone
• Calling 911 immediately if an overdose is suspected

Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose if administered in time.

At Mya’s Mission, we believe preparedness saves lives.
Narcan is free, easy to use, and available to everyone!

👉 Visit myasmission.org to find our judgment-free Narcan box locations and be prepared; for yourself, for someone you love, or for someone you may never know! One prepared person can make the difference! 🫶💜

12/31/2025

This advice would be kinda fun 👇👇 But in all seriousness...if you're reading this you've nearly survived 2025. Maybe you look different to people than you did last year at this time. Maybe you only look different on the inside. Maybe you're struggling today to find a resolution or a goal to add an activity or behavior into your life because society says we should start the new year strong. Addiction (screens, gambling, substances, relationships) rewires our brain to think we need to always get more. It tells us we can't miss an opportunity that might come along that might make us feel better.

In jail group today we talked a lot about the future. Resolutions didn't come up. Some goals came up, but nothing about these flimsy little ideas that some people wait until Jan 1 to try on for a short period. Surprisingly, what really spoke loudest was people's desire to pick something to say no to consistently. What a sign of progress when we don't feel like we need to 'add in' more to increase the quality of life. Would you think that would come from a jail group?? Imagine that...that people who are incarcerated can see the value in adding less to their lives. The freedom of not feeling like they need to add to increase their worth. Dang...I hope 2026 holds a lot of 'no thank you's' for those of us who need them. Let's find freedom in less. And don't give up on your tooth brushing. We've got this.