After attending the Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce Addiction Awareness luncheon on May 25, we came away with admiration for the efforts of the community in seeking help for those with an addiction or substance abuse problem. Thanks to the efforts of Bob Hasch, his police force, and coordinator Holly Stover, the Boothbay/Boothbay Harbor region has become a role model for other communities that are seeking to help addicts; not throw them in jail.

At the Chamber of Commerce meeting, which focused on providing jobs to those in recovery, it also came to light that there are several local recovery programs available to those struggling with addiction and substance abuse problems, such as AA Twelve Step Programs, Addiction Resource Center (ARC) of Mid Coast Hospital in Damariscotta & Brunswick, the Medically-Assisted Treatment Program (offered locally by Dr. Alamo), Life Counseling (provided locally by Lisa Carbone) both at the Family Care Center.

Recovery Support at the Community Center

In Bill Pearson's recent article about the Chamber of Commerce meeting, there was also mention of a program offered at the Boothbay Community Center. Here is more information: We offer two support group meetings each week, which are based on the Three Principles of Health Realization—which enable participants to discover their innate wisdom. The first is a support group for those in recovery, which takes place every Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. This Recovery and Resilience program allows people to look at themselves and discover that they can make choices about their lives with confidence; that they are not broken and don't need to be fixed. The second is another support group based on the Three Principles, for anyone, that is held at the Community Center on Thursdays from 2 to 3 pm. It's called Increase Your Inner Peace, and it encourages people to connect easily with their innate wisdom, without meditation or other techniques. Both groups feature videos and group discussion. All are welcome to attend both meetings, as they compliment each other. For more information about this program, contact Patty Seybold at 633-4368 or Molly Stark at 350-6897.

Lincoln County Addiction Outreach Program

Bill Ellsworth and Angie Musto: Both are Lincoln County Outreach Specialists at the Lincoln County Addiction Outreach program. They run the program out of the old Sheriff's office in Wiscasset. The Addiction Outreach program is run through Mid Coast Hospital (phone number 373-6950). This is an incredible local resource for anyone with substance/addiction issues who is in pre-trial or probation status, or for anyone who wants to avoid being incarcerated. Bill and Angie offer group support meetings each week in Wiscasset and one-on-one counseling. Often the counseling continues for years. Because of Bill's dedication to offering support to keep substance abusers sober and clean for life, 85 percent of those who have participated in the program in the past year have remained free of drugs and free from jail.

Because it's often difficult for people to get to Wiscasset for meetings, Bill tried to offer local services on the Boothbay peninsula on Tuesday mornings at the Congregational Church but was disappointed by the lack of attendance. So, he has moved on to Waldoboro, where he runs a well-attended recovery group meeting each week with the local law enforcement officials making coffee and bringing donuts.

Financial Support for Residential Rehab

In addition to intensive outpatient treatment through ARC, there is also a scholarship fund available, for those who qualify, to attend the Easter Seals' rehab program in Manchester and Franklin New Hampshire, called the Farnum Center. The Farnum Center offers medical detox and a well-rounded 30-day residential program that is based on the Three Principles of Health Realization, yet encourages attendance to AA meetings, group therapy, and more. For more information about the scholarships available to the Farnum Center and/or to contribute to this important scholarship fund for Boothbay region residents, please contact Patty Seybold at 633-4368.