- CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2010 NICHOLS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Addiction among women is increasing. In the past few years women have been quickly closing the gap with men in alcohol and chemical dependency addiction. They are increasingly likely to drink and use drugs at earlier ages than ever before. Medical professionals now know that women progress more quickly towards addiction than men; research indicates this is due to hormonal differences and metabolism. For women, serious substance abuse-related diseases also develop more quickly. Yet women often experience more stigma and shame when attempting to deal with chemical dependency issues.We are asking you to help recognize someone who has opened doors to women and families in need of chemical dependency treatment. The Nichols Leadership Award, named for its original endower, Ann Nichols, was created to honor an individual or organization working in the field of chemical dependency that has helped women and their families overcome addiction and embrace a life of recovery.
- Third Annual Residence XII Luncheon: “Celebrate the Power of Recovery™”
The brand new ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue was the site of the Third Annual Residence XII Luncheon in September, 2009. Fifty Table Captains hosted a total of 500 guests while Roberta Romero, KING 5 Television news reporter and Residence XII alumna was Emcee. Guests were riveted by our client speaker, Stacy, who shared her personal story of addiction and recovery. A reporter from a local newspaper who was a guest at the Luncheon featured Stacy’s story in an article about Residence XII in the Kirkland Reporter newspaper. - The Holidays at Residence XII
The 2009 Candlelight Meeting at the North Kirkland Community Center was a wonderful success. The room was filled to capacity with 250 women in recovery—during the Sobriety Countdown we learned that there were over 850 years of sobriety in the room. We want to thank our wonderful speakers Val R, Shelli H, and Jane L. as well as the alumnae and staff for their skits. - Residence XII Quoted in Seattle Woman Magazine
Seattle Woman magazine recently published an article titled “Substance Abuse Programs Tailored for Women”. As the article states, scientific research has identified both biological and environmental factors that result in the development and progression of addiction, a disease that affects both the brain and behavior. Addiction often begins when use of a substance causes continuing problems in the woman’s life. As users seek out alcohol or drugs more often, they withdraw from activities and experience failed attempts to quit becoming increasingly dependent until the use is compulsive and outweighs any negative consequences. For women substance abusers issues are often very different than for men. Quoting Sue Ross from Residence XII, “Women-only programs provide a safe environment where women can address their alcohol and drug addiction without the shame or stigma found in co-ed environments.” Women have a mutual understanding of each others’ experiences particularly with respect to family life or parenting and women-only groups eliminates the caretaking role that women often assume in co-ed situations. The complete text of the article can be found at www.seattlewomanmagazine.com - Greta Kruger Receives Annual Nichols Award
On May 8, 2009 Greta Kruger received the Ann Nichols Leadership Award for excellence in the field of addiction treatment. Greta first became involved with Residence XII as a volunteer in 1981 and then worked at Residence XII South, Highline Community Hospital for nine years as Department Head. She later served as Outreach & Intervention Manager and is currently a Counselor, specializing in the treatment of Older Women. - Residence XII receives national recognition
(from the Business Watch section of the Journal Newspapers, 01/07/09)Recognized for “blazing the trail to show how it can be done,” Residence XII, an alcohol and chemical dependency center in Kirkland, Wash., received a 2008 Science and Service Award from the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
- Woman works to help others fight chemical dependency
(from the Supplement to the Everett Tribune, November 2008)Almost 10 months sober, Greta Kruger was looking for some volunteer work to keep her out of mischief. Friends urged her to call the founder and director of a new treatment center for chemically dependent women – and that was the beginning of a whole new career and life for Greta. While continuing her work as an Assistant Librarian she began to volunteer at Residence XII doing whatever was most needed. Over the course of three years she filled in as a night clerk, held luncheons to increase community awareness and networked with other treatment centers to educate them about the benefits of gender-specific treatment for women.
- Stand Up and Be Counted
(by Jean Enersen, KING-5 News, 09/23/08)Thirty years ago, few people talked openly about breast cancer. Now its an open topic. Today few people talk about their alcoholism, fearing being stigmatized. But it’s known now that alcoholism is a disease. Like cancer, there is treatment. And like cancer there can be recovery.
- Preventing Relapse: A Study Examining the Role of Mindful Body Awaressness
A major issue for women in chemical dependency treatment is the link between relapse and a history of interpersonal life stress. A remarkably high proportion of women entering chemical dependency treatment have experienced traumatic violence such as physical, sexual and verbal abuse, resulting in life stress. A recent study reported that 89% of women entering chemical dependency treatment had a history of such trauma. Additionally, authors Herman and Aposhyan suggest that chronic pain complaints may be the physical manifestation of trauma, resulting in a possible overlap of these health issues. - Recovering hope: Residence XII helps restore lives devastated by addiction
(by Cathy Herholdt, Journal Newspapers, 03/04/08)Virginia kept a secret that burdened and isolated her for two and a half years. No one knew, not even her husband. The middle-aged Eastside woman found herself in the emergency room one Sunday, on death’s door. That’s when the secret came out—Virginia was an alcoholic.
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