Begin Anew Recovery

BEGIN ANEW

Begin Anew, a non-profit, the organization, the first of its kind in Minnesota, is uniquely structured to meet the critical post treatment needs of people in recovery.

Begin Anew believes that Connection is the Opposite of Addiction

Begin Anew institutes a new Coordination of Care model in Minnesota. Begin Anew will provide no direct treatment or medical care itself but provides trained professionals with real life recovery experiences -peers-who will be trained to make direct referrals to an identified network of treatment and care providers in specific communities. All staff and primary points of contact will be trained, onboarded, and educated on both Pathfinder Companion & Bridge platforms. Pathfinder mobile app will be the primary vehicle of communication for individuals seeking recovery. The back-end tool Bridge will be used by peer recovery specialists and staff to provide resources and solutions to those in need.

Peer recovery specialists are people in recovery with lived experience in sustaining their own recovery for at least 1-2 years, eager to help others facing the same challenges, and expressly trained in how best to provide that help with a proven model in achieving better outcomes.

Begin Anew engages within the community, building awareness and educating the public about the challenges facing people with substance use disorder, and their families. The organization specifically focuses on improving support for families, a crucial component that is severely lacking in the current environment. Begin Anew also engages in advocacy on issues pertaining to these critical challenges, within clearly defined limits established by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations

Recovery Overview

In Minnesota, the addiction and recovery arena presently reflect:

• 40% increase in overdose deaths in the metro area in 2020 over 2019     
• 27% increase statewide
• 57% increase in overdose deaths among 25–34-year old's
• 59% increase in opioid overdose deaths, including an 81% increase in deaths involving synthetic opioids.

A new model is urgently needed to combat these rising statistics. Begin Anew will be an organization staffed by peer recovery specialists who will provide continual, consistent, sustained, active engagement and connection with individuals immediately following the end of treatment. 

People in recovery are at greater risk of relapse and overdose death during the period of 18-24 months following their completion of treatment. Compounding this risk is the existing lack of organizational ability and capacity to implement overdose protection upon leaving treatment and to engage with the people in recovery in real time during this period, to help them maintain and fortify their recovery. Addiction is an illness of social isolation and has dramatically worsened as the result of forced social isolation. During the pandemic in 2020 alone, overdose deaths and alcohol-related deaths skyrocketed in Minnesota, claiming more than five times the number of lives lost in traffic accidents annually in Minnesota.

A model for the future that saves our future

Begin Anew provides a unique service in the state, focusing on best of class service, connection and community-cornerstones of recovery success. All individuals will receive conscientious, one-on-one, timely service in all capacities, including transactions, conflicts, or unique individualized needs. Addiction doesn't occur on a 9-5, Monday through Friday schedule. The key to success is a 24 recovery model that connects people to their community by a fingertip touch.

Begin Anew engages individuals who have less access to recovery support services by using telehealth and peer recovery support services along with outreach to underserved areas in Minnesota, starting with Anoka County.