The Indigenous cafe using native cuisine to help its chefs fight addiction

The Mental Health Rebuilding and Restoring Initiative helps those struggling with drug addiction by showing them documentaries of others who have also struggled with addiction and how they managed to overcome it. The documentaries have since helped 50 people to stop using drugs. The Initiative also follows up with, monitors and encourages participants throughout their recovery journey.

Women and mothers experiencing addiction often face obstacles when seeking help and care. Several groups like M.I.R.A.C.L.E Mamas and Women Strong Recovery and Wellness among many others, provide safe spaces for women and mothers to seek recovery care and empowerment while also forming a sense of community.

The Mansfield Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP) helps individuals in recovery programs access housing through its Genesis Row Project. The non-profit currently owns six houses and following some renovations, plans to house 20 people.

Qungasvik, a program developed by and for Yup’ik people living in Alaska, focuses on skills, craft making, and community connection. The program provides a strong support system and is helping to decrease incidence of alcoholism, suicide, and isolation among the Yup’ik.

The Quinault Indian Nation’s Family Wellness Court provides a culturally relevant alternative to traditional Western court systems that focuses on healing rather than punishment. 100 of the 400 tribal courts in the country have wellness courts for adults, families and youth, providing substance use disorder support, mental health care, and other family support services.

The Stable Recovery program provides housing and recovery support for people suffering from addiction, as well as job training to prepare participants to work in the equine industry. The program offers a sense of therapeutic community to those in recovery, as well as newly trained workers to address the labor shortage in the equine industry.

Great Circle Recovery is the first tribally run opioid treatment clinic in the state and is opening up its second location. Approximately 250 people visit the clinic on a daily basis to access medications that help those suffering from addiction. The centers also provide access to counselors, case management and other medical services to support patients on their recovery journey.

Clean Slate Clinic is an in-home detox service that helps people receive a medicated detox plan including pharmaceuticals and vitamins, as well as daily telehealth sessions, rehabilitation support and check-ins. These detox services are currently undergoing a trial period that will tailor the program according to the unique needs of people in more rural and remote settings.

The International Institute of St. Louis works with immigrants and refugees and partnered with a local grocer, Global Foods Market, to host an annual spice drive for those facing food insecurity. Spices aren’t normally thought of when people donate to food banks, but they can provide both flavor and a cultural connection to home. Last year’s drive collected nearly 30 pounds of spices and with matching donations, a total of 600 jars of spices were given to people facing food insecurity.

Although COVID-19 has taken a toll on the healthcare industry, some providers and clinics have figured out a way to eliminate barriers during this time for those seeking treatment. According to the director of the Behavioral Health Institute at Harborview Medical Center in Washington, the healthcare industry has seen "at least five years worth of progress happen in four months" due to the implementation of telemedicine. While this isn't a longterm replacement for in-person visits, many doctors are reporting a rise in patient appointments via this system.