After you have graduated from a rehabilitation program, it's time to apply your learnings.  Putting your vision of a new normal into a mission statement provides the clarity you need to head out in the right direction, but you'll need to rely on your community to find the resources that you'll need to make it happen. 

 

For immediate help;

• Contact the Secretary of States office to find the requirements for obtaining a driver's license; https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1640_14837-34560--,00.html​.

• Visit a local Social Security office to get a copy of your social security card; https://www.ssofficelocation.com/michigan-social-security-offices-sos22​​

• Go to your local library to use their computers to conduct an internet search if you need to learn about available resources.

• Go to the YMCA or the Salvation Army for temporary emergency shelter; also ask them about leads for transitional and bridge housing, etc. Try theses; https://www.shelterlistings.org/county/mi-oakland-county.html or https://communityhousingnetwork.org/other-services/homeless-shelters-2/. Find a place to live until you save up enough money to move into an apartment (first month rent and a security deposit.)​

• Search for a listing of food/clothing pantries (free, often weekly or monthly visits). These are often housed at local churches or community centers, for a list go to http://www.pantrynet.org/ ;  ​

• Look for help centers located in your neighbor like http://www.samaritan-center.net/ on Detroit’s east side. It’s as hub of a variety of resources.​

When you are ready for a more permanent housing solution;

• Go to your local church or pick up a local Christian newsletter and look for employment listings; look into government subsidized housing (Section 8) or try the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). 

Other immediate needs;

• Check out the United Way helpline - call 211 or go on-line to see a list of services available in your area provided by both non-profit and government agencies; https://unitedwaysem.org/2-1-1/.​

• Go to https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/index.html or call the Michigan Helpline for questions about health or financial help 855-771-4375 (press 2) or go to https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/s/isd-landing-page?language=en_US to find out more about cash assistance, help with child-care, assistance for emergency housing, utilities assistance. For information about heath care coverage call 855-771-4375 (press 3).

• ​To get financial assistance through grants to help with rent or housing, education, medication, and other expenses check out the following web sites: ​

  • https://freegrantsforfelons.org

  • http://freegrantsforveterans.org

  • https://singlemothersgrants.org

  • https://helpforafricanamericans.org/

• Assistance to Women, Infants and Children under five years of age can call the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for; https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_4910---,00.html​

• For an overview of helpful services see the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services @ https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs and select the assistance tab.​                                          

 

Building like-minded community support

To start building a new social life that will support your goals, connect with local community groups: 

• To find a local church group that specializes in rebuilding healthy habits and relationships by using Christian principles go to https://www.celebraterecovery.com/groups-and-state-reps.

• Join a non-denominational Bible Study group in your area such as https://join.bsfinternational.org/find-in-person-group or https://www.communitybiblestudy.org/ .

• Look to join a community group that not only deals with your psychological needs but one where you can form friendships because the group shares other commonalities. 

• Looking for other things to do socially? For ideas go to http://www.christianevents4detroit.com/ourtown.html .​

​

Relapse Help

Even after successfully graduating from rehabilitation, you may still feel yourself getting anxious and/or wanting to give in to temptations you see that stir up a desire to give in to old bad habits/addictions. Some resources to call for help; 

• Contact SAMHSA’s National Crisis Helpline at: 1-800-662-4357 or go to https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline. 

• To find treatment options visit https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ and/or to join a local Celebrate Recovery group go to https://www.celebraterecovery.com to maintain your commitment. 

  • Look for other web sites on-line that have informational resources or re-enter an addiction recovery center like https://www.addictiongroup.org/find-rehab-centers/.

• ​For further reading and resources, check out the "Alcohol Rehab Guide"    @ https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/Treatment/. ​ ​

 

Mental Health concerns like depression, mood disorder(s), etc.

The phrase "mental health" is used when it comes to categorizing behavior. It is used as a way for people to differentiate between well-being and dysfunction in life. If you find yourself continually attacked by a flood of negative feelings or thoughts, and or have unproductive behavioral habits, reach out and get help. Make the decision to connect with others who can help you break your patterns.

• When it's not at crisis level, but you want to keep anxiety at bay, find a counselor to talk to: ​

  • Find a free crisis counselor to talk to over the phone go to https://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/promos/counseling-services-and-referrals. ​

  • Call to talk to your local church pastor (whether you are a church member or not) or call a 24/7 national prayer line, example: 888-388-2683.

• Contact the Anxiety and Depression Association of America; https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/webinars for free monthly webinars or to search some of the most frequently asked questions about psychological and pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, and related disorders.

• Inquire at NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness 24-hour helpline @ 800-950-6264. ​

• Read more about how mental health plays a role in an addicted lifestyle @ therecoveryvillage.com .

• If you are a concerned parent, go to screening.mhanational.org and www.childmind.org/about-us/ .

• If you want to talk to someone about suicidal thoughts, or for a local counseling referral, call the Christian Counselors Network @ https://thomas-wilson-l3p6.squarespace.com/counseling. If you have tried to hurt yourself, or have recently attempted, or if you or someone you know is currently in danger, for 24/7 help, please call the National Suicide Prevention line by dialing 988 or @ 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

  • Another crisis counseling site can be accessed by texting “HOME” to 741-741 to talk with volunteers trained in crisis intervention @ https://www.IMAlive.org.​ or go on line to http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx  Website: http://suicidehotlines.com/national.html​.

 

Sometimes poor mental health can stem from physical problems like poor nutrition, addiction to prescription drugs  or even vision problems. Struggling to see clearly (both mentally and physically) is frustrating, and can make everyday life harder. In turn, this may trigger depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal.​

• For help dealing with a prescription drug addiction, see the Addiction Center Website and read about the many different sources of addictive pain killers, stress relievers and other types of prescribed medication that becomes addictive after prolonged use.

• To learn more about the link between mental health and nutrition start by a reading an article by the Medical News Today website; 

• To read more about the boost that physical exercise has on your mental health, read their article at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/large-study-finds-clear-association-between-fitness-and-mental-health.

• For a guide on various mental health challenges that come with having vision impairment including causes, treatments, and resources for those struggling to find help see: https://www.nvisioncenters.com/education/mental-health-guide/ .

 

Some additional sources of help can be found at:​​​

• National Sexual Assault Toll Free Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or for an online chat see: https://hotline.rainn.org/online/ ​

• National Domestic Violence Hotline Toll Free Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), Online chat: https://www.thehotline.org/what-is-live-chat/ Website: https://www.thehotline.org/.

• Immediate crisis counseling related to disasters, 24/7 call 1-800-985-5990.