A heartfelt thank you to First Federal Foundation for their generous donation that will allow us to refurbish our sober home with new furnishings, bedding, and kitchenware. In line with MSCL's commitment to maintaining an environment that supports recovery.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illegally made fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illegally made fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Laboratory testing indicates 7 out of every [...]
There was a huge turnout at the September 30 combined event - Meet the Fleet and 5-Alarm Chili Cook Off. Attendees sampled 14 chilis made by the local fire departments and nonprofits to benefit the Hailey Fire Department. This is MSCL House's second year to participate. The men at the sober house worked their magic into a Mexican-inspired chili that quickly became the favorite of the competition. The Second Chance Chili, as they called it, ended up winning Best Overall Chili. Chili con carne after all does translate to "chili pepper with meat". So on a chilly day in September, the very proud residents of MSCL House enjoyed a bowl of chili to keep them from the [...]
Summer ended on a high note when, on August 30, MSCL House hosted speaker Benjamin Seymour at the Community Library. During this free, well-attended event, Seymour shared his experiences of 23-years in behavioral healthcare with the rapt audience. Seymour is a nationally recognized interventionist, consultant, counselor, author, and public speaker who served as the founder and CEO of several healthcare companies in the U.S. and is well-versed in working with healthcare organizations in a consultative capacity. His personal, resonant, and impactful presentation kicked off National Recovery Month which started September 1. CLICK HERE to listen to the talk. CLICK HERE to visit Southworth Associates' website for information on interventions and addiction services. CLICK HERE to contact Ben [...]
Struggles with substance abuse will not end anytime soon, and the landscape is always changing with a current focus on well-known drugs such as opioids and fentanyl. But something called kratom is also very troubling, primarily due to its availability. Kratom is an unregulated, legal herbal supplement available throughout the valley under brand names including Vivazen, Zen, and K Meta shots. Kratom affects the brain in the manner opiates do, binding to the same receptors in the brain as morphine and other opioids. Its addiction risk has been downplayed giving users a false sense of security, but, although legal, it is prone to being abused. The opioid effects from kratom derive from the tree’s leaf. One compound, [...]
"We are honored to showcase the individuals and agencies in this booklet that strive to unify and empower those engaging in treatment and recovery, while reducing the stigma surrounding substance abuse." - IDHW, September 2023 MSCL House was featured in the Department of Health and Welfare's booklet Who's Who in Recovery 2023 created for Idaho Recovery Month. The booklet recognizes the work of individuals and agencies in the Idaho recovery community. CLICK HERE to view the booklet (MSCL page 5, Sonya page 18)
We are thrilled to announce that we completed our Building a Better Tomorrow capital campaign, allowing us to purchase a second sober home in late August. Located in west Hailey, our new home opened its doors on October 15 and immediately began to house new residents, many of whom have been on a waitlist for some time. Demand has always exceeded supply and the new house will accommodate another 15 men in recovery from substance abuse annually. Thank you to our amazing community for helping us realize our dream to expand our presence in the Wood River Valley and our ability to meet the growing need for our services. To our newest residents, we welcome you--we know [...]
In July, the 100 Men Who Care once again came through for the residents at MSCL House granting us over $8,000 toward the Building a Better Tomorrow Capital Campaign to purchase our second home in Hailey. The members of 100 Men Who Care have a special place in the hearts of our MSCL House family. They have steadfastly supported MSCL House since our inception in 2018 awarding us with the very first grant to help furnish our very first home. That was a momentous time for us. We cannot thank them enough for coming alongside us through the years and supporting our mission to provide safe, substance-free, affordable housing and recovery services that leads to a life [...]
The Role of A.A. in Early Recovery As someone in recovery, I can remember my first time venturing into an A.A. meeting. For me, there was a lot of mystery about who they were and how they achieved sobriety. Before entering the “rooms,” I had reviewed a few things online and was highly skeptical about working the steps, getting a sponsor, and this “higher power” they spoke about. Fast forward eight years, and I see the benefits of the program. I’ve been helped through the A.A. steps and have helped others get familiar with the programs and take the first step to go to a meeting. Although A.A. is not the only way, it is a huge [...]
What happens when you are hungry, thirsty, or tired? Can you focus whole-heartedly on the task in front of you? Are you patient and understanding when a colleague asks a seemingly stupid question? Are you caring when you get a call from your kid telling you they backed up into the neighbor’s car – again? Unless you’re the Dalai Lama, you might be answering no. There is an evolutionary reason for this: to help you survive. Here at Men’s Second Chance Living, we use Maslow’s hierarchy to address the basic needs of our residents in a bottom-up fashion, helping them regain control of their actions and reconnect with themselves and others. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a [...]