Aug. 19, 2022 — Amongst hockey followers, Kevin Stevens is a legend. A member of a number of groups, together with the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers, the now 57-year-old was particularly identified for being a Pittsburgh Penguin in the course of the group’s Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992.
However the Bostonian can also be a recovering addict whose life modified dramatically when he was 28 years outdated and made “one unhealthy determination” one night time.
“I had by no means completed medicine in my life, however somebody caught cocaine in entrance of me,” he says. “I didn’t know what it was, however I attempted it and that modified my life for the subsequent 24 years.”
Stevens solid an extended and infrequently well-publicized battle for sobriety with many challenges alongside the best way, together with an opioid habit due to an enormous hockey harm (in addition to persevering with to make use of cocaine) and an arrest for dealing oxycodone in 2016.
When he entered a responsible plea in 2017, he vowed to show his life round. Ever since, he has devoted his life to assist others by way of Power Forward, a nonprofit he began in 2018 that’s targeted on elevating consciousness about habit.
Convey on the Canines
Right now, Stevens, who at present works as a Nationwide Hockey League (NHL) scout, and considered one of his board members, Michael Hamrock, MD, a main care and habit drugs physician at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston, have launched a novel therapeutic technique to the checklist of choices for individuals in restoration.
Known as the DOER (Canine Possession Enhancing Restoration) program, a educated assist canine — on this case, a golden retriever named Sawyer — can be despatched to stay with 12 males residing in a sober residence within the Boston space, in a program that’s the primary of its form within the U.S.
“For the whole thing of my observe, my sufferers have instructed me again and again how a lot their pet canines have improved their bodily and mental health, so I believed we should always add this to considered one of our choices,” Hamrock says. “I do know it will assist.”
The day Sawyer was launched to the residents as a part of a pilot program was a joyful one, Hamrock says.
“We introduced Sawyer to the yard and, whereas on a leash, he went to every resident individually,” he says. “They began patting him and enjoying with him. I may see the large delight of their eyes.”
The objective: So as to add extra canines to this system, over time.
“I consider conferences, drugs, non secular care and having a sponsor assist with restoration,” he says. “However canines can present security, stop loneliness, assist you reestablish relationships, assist you discover objective and worth and supply unconditional love.”
And with overdose deaths within the U.S. reaching record levels last year, Hamrock says the time is now to persevering with innovating.
“We all know the danger components for coronary heart illness, however we’d like a greater understanding of the mind illness of habit,” he says, noting that the acronym GAMES presents a great way to quantify the 5 threat components: G (genes), A (age of first drug use), M (handled or untreated mental health points), E (publicity to opioids as a remedy for, say, chronic pain) and S (stress, particularly from antagonistic childhood occasions) is an effective approach to quantify threat components.
However a well-trained canine can mitigate a few of these components.
“We all know canines can reduce stress and improve psychological well being,” he says. “We additionally know that pet canines might help with accountability, create a caring atmosphere, and fill the void of nurturing. We are able to actually see a distinction.”
Ask Stevens and he’ll let you know he’s enthusiastic about how service canines would possibly play a job in serving to addicts keep in restoration.
“I believe what Michael is doing is fairly neat,” he says. “When he introduced this concept to the desk, it made sense. Canines are so nice for individuals they usually’re that vivid spot in your day. Providing these residents the prospect to care for one thing will make all of the distinction.”
