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Peter Hayden, PhD, is the co-founder of one of the most influential substance use disorder treatment programs in the country. In 2015, his Minneapolis-based Turning Point facility was identified by the University of Minnesota for its approach to culturally specific treatment for Black patients as an industry-best practice, and in 2021 it received the inaugural National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) Diversity, Inclusivity and Racial Equity Award. Hayden himself has been celebrated with the Community Legends award from General Mills and the America Honors Recovery award from Johnson Institute. Oh, and that honor Turning Point received from the NAATP last year? After its issuance, the award was promptly named after Hayden. He is, without a doubt, a seminal figure in the addiction and treatment space. But Hayden also isn’t so different from many of the patients who have walked through the doors of Turning Point. As a young Black man who returned to Minneapolis after serving in Vietnam, Hayden soon realized that he had no home, little direction and a drinking problem that increasingly defined his circumstances. A car accident in front of the police station and the alcohol detected on Hayden’s breath made for a short walk to lockup. “This is how God works in my life,” Hayden recalls. After pre-sentencing, Hayden was directed to treatment, and because he was ready to change, he says, the program worked. He embraced the 12 steps, but it wasn’t lost on him that he was always the only person of color in the room. Hayden filed that away, soon learned that the GI Bill would pay for his education, and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Minnesota, his master’s in public administration (Capella University) and his doctorate in psychology (Richardson University). He has been in recovery ever since. That Hayden is a distinguished example of representation in his field—a sector that only recently has begun to address its awful track record regarding diversity—should go without saying. And yet it deserves special attention. In a space with life-and-death stakes,...

07 March, 2022

Do you have a loved one you think may be struggling with substance use disorder? The sooner you know what to look for, the sooner you will be able to help your loved one get the assistance they need. Here are ten signs that could indicate that a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder. 1. Attitude and Behavioral Changes When a loved one struggles with substance use disorder, you may notice a change in attitude or behavior. This may be how the individual behaves in certain situations, how they dress, or how they treat others. Substance use can trigger major behavioral mood changes, resulting in verbally or physically aggressive attacks towards friends and loved ones. Some other noticeable signs of behavior changes include seeing a shift in the group of friends the individual hangs out with, being secretive, evading questions, or isolating themselves from others. 2. Emotional Changes Emotional changes are also a common sign of someone struggling with substance use disorder. These changes could cause more erratic behavior and extend deeper than just the attitude presented towards others. You may notice a loved one appearing depressed or anxious, crying more, or even being more defensive when directly questioned. All of these emotional changes could be a direct result of substance use. 3. Sleeping Habits Substance use can alter sleep patterns and daily routines. The type of sleeping habit response could vary from falling asleep randomly, staying awake all night long, or other changes in sleep schedule. With the fluctuation in sleep patterns, you may notice an increase in tiredness and restlessness in the person engaging in substance use. 4. Negative Self-Talk When someone you love engages in substance use, self-talk changes from positive to more negative. This negative self-talk could be about self-harming behaviors or even talks of suicide. 5. Physical Appearance Substance use directly affects the body’s metabolism and appetite, leading to drastic weight gain or loss. You may also notice bloodshot eyes or unexplained cuts and bruises. Any of these sudden changes to physical appearance could be a result of...

06 March, 2022

Dr. Peter Hayden is being recognized for the work he has built his life around.  The article below (click on the link) is from Treatment Magazine.  It highlights Dr. Hayden’s leadership and community-centric approach that has impacted clients at Turning Point since 1976.  https://treatmentmagazine.com/peter-hayden-breaking-barriers-in-addiction-care/...

28 February, 2022

National Black AIDS Awareness Day was February 7, 2022. Check out this video on the importance of getting tested. National Black AIDS Awareness Day 2-7-22...

08 February, 2022

3… 2… 1… Happy New Year! The words signaling a new year, new goals, and new opportunities! Are you ready for the new year? Have you thought of what goals you want to accomplish this year? Did last year’s routine work for you, or do you need to develop a different one that is more effective? Here are five (5) goals for becoming a healthier you: 1) Setting Your Goals Did you know that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down? The first step in obtaining goals for a healthier you is to actually create your goals and write them down. When creating goals, we suggest using the SMART method for your goal writing: Specific: What is it you want to achieve? Measurable: How will you know that you met your goal? Attainable: Are you capable of reaching this goal in a healthy manner? Relevant: Can you stay committed to this goal? Time-Bound: When do you want to achieve this goal by? By creating SMART goals, you are developing a strategy to take the daily small steps needed to achieve the bigger long-term goals that you have! 2) Get Your Body Moving Physical activity and getting your body moving is a very important part in becoming a healthier you. Start by setting goals for the amount of physical activity you want to do on a daily basis. How much time do you currently allocate for exercising? Consider adding an extra 10 to 15 minutes per day to your workout to see bigger results. Have you done the same physical activity day in and day out? Consider trying a new physical activity, or altering your current workout in some way. Do you work in an office, or find yourself sitting for long hours throughout the day? Try standing up and stretching or taking a quick walk about every 40 minutes to get your blood flowing and your body moving because even small physical activity plays a big role in becoming a healthier you. 3) Develop Healthier Drinking...

06 February, 2022

The power of outreach … James was a fifteen-year-old boy who was suffering from drug addiction. It was the only lifestyle he knew and all of his current friends were doing it. His neighbor was in his twenties, a recent college graduate, and on his career path. James looked up to him because he always appeared happy and was kind to others in the neighborhood. One day, James asked him what he did. The neighbor responded, “What are you doing this Saturday?” James had nothing going on, so the neighbor invited him to come to his work place and he gave him the address to the building he worked at – it was only a few blocks away. James went to the address on Saturday, and it was a beautiful building. He walked in, and saw that his neighbor was speaking to a group of teenagers. The neighbor was the Community Outreach Coordinator and was helping students with drug addiction. James started to attend the meetings with his neighbor on a weekly basis. Ten years later… James has lived a drug-free life for those ten years, and now lives in his own community where he is the Community Outreach Coordinator impacting teenagers the same way his neighbor did when he was a teenager. And that is the power of outreach! Have you ever had an experience like this where you impacted someone else’s life in a positive way, or someone impacted your life in a positive way? How did it make you feel knowing that you were able to make a difference? How do you think the person you impacted felt as a result of your outreach to them? How did you feel that someone took the time to reach out and help you? Reaching people who are in need of help is one of the best gifts that you can give to someone this holiday season! Outreach provides the opportunity to impact someone else’s life in a positive way that can create a snowball effect into...

05 December, 2021

Click Image Above To View The 2020 Honors Presentation, or click here. Honors Presentation begins at the 10 minute mark. Password to view is: fn5.R0G^...

29 November, 2021