Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Medica covers pretreatment program at New Beginnings



New Beginnings of Waverly and Medica Health Plans have developed “The Clearinghouse,” which provides a pretreatment program to help addicts “clear their minds” before entering treatment.

The Clearinghouse is the first treatment program of its kind that focuses on restoring cognitive abilities from the devastation caused by methamphetamine before entering initial treatment.

“Many methamphetamine addicts are entering residential treatment programs with severe damage to their cognitive functioning abilities and the Clearinghouse is designed to enhance the clients cognitive capabilities,” according to Scott Paul, Clearinghouse coordinator at New Beginnings.

Upon entering a treatment program, addicts’ perceptions are highly impaired and they need two to four weeks to regain the process, according to Paul.

The program begins with a spiritual autobiography allowing the clients to notice patterns in their lives that led to abuse.

“This gives them the opportunity to exercise their minds,” Paul said.

Other aspects of the program include keeping a daily journal so the client can see their own progress, yoga-meditation to center the mind, and a 12 step program to relate with others and rely on a higher power all the while, regaining nutrition and sleep.

“Once the individual has mastered the initial treatment phase, he or she is prepared to enter treatment with an increased probability of grasping the tools and concepts necessary for long-term recovery,” Paul explained.

New Beginnings along with of C.C. Nuckols, designed the Clearinghouse last year. Nuckols is one of the countries leading minds in meth addiction, explained Paul.

“This initial transition period is crucial to recovery,” Nichols said.

“So many addicts come in with such severe cognitive impairment that it takes two to three weeks before the individual is able to actively participate in a primary treatment program,” Nickols explained.

With Paul being a recovered meth addict, Nuckols trained him because he felt strongly his struggle would be useful in relating and identifying with patients.

According to one Clearinghouse client, the program needs to be there in order for the body and mind to be rejuvenated before treatment can take place.

“It’s nice to have staff who have been there,” another commented of Paul.

Currently, only Medica will cover pretreatment care, but the Clearinghouse hopes in its success others will become involved.

Paul hopes to show people who suffer from meth addiction that they can recover, “I know, I’ve been through it,” he said.

For more information on the Clearinghouse, contact Scott Paul, New Beginnings Clearinghouse Coordinator, (763) 658-5800.

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