Addiction treatment centers in Bemidji stepped into public view on Friday, when the Northern Minnesota Addiction Wellness Center held its first recovery walk. Participants walked a mile along Lake Bemidji, from Nymore Beach to Paul and Babe.
To be clear, states like Minnesota offer an abundance of treatment programs for addictions. But people with such disorders often don’t want to leave their closed doors.
James Littlewolf, Jr., a counselor at Ahnji-Be-Mah-Diz Recovery Center in Cass Lake, walked with seven and a half years of sobriety behind him.
“I was an IV drug user, and I shot up meth and heroin; turned my life around after I jumped into the sweat lodge and surrendered to the Creator. And then I’m here today, seven-and-a-half years later. I’m sober today and a counselor.”
He credits the Leech Lake Reservation for his second lease on life, with its programs for teens and men.
Visibility Matters
Walk organizer Margot Kelsey is the wellness center’s owner. She’s in long-term recovery herself. She noted how events like this chip away at shame and fear of arrest, which keeps people in Minnesota from seeking care in the first place.
“We really need to normalize recovery […] Addiction, substance use is a disease. And if we can get the right help, we can really do wonderful things in life. I’m a good example, I’m in long-term recovery myself.”
Then there’s the scale. About 10% of residents live with addiction. In a town the size of Bemidji, that means neighbors, coworkers and families quietly struggle alone.
At the finish line, hot dogs, giveaways and resource tables gave people reasons to stay and connect. Littlewolf extended his invitation to all sitting on the sidelines.
“If you’re struggling, come on down. There’s a lot of support out here, and we want you to change your life. Because living this life is a good way to walk, and you’re there for your family and your kids.”
The center expects the walk to become an annual event.
Meth and Heroin Addiction
Methamphetamine and heroin attack the brain differently. Meth floods the brain with dopamine and produces a crash that pulls users back quickly.
Heroin brings tolerance, withdrawal sickness and overdose risk, especially when fentanyl is involved.
Common signs of addiction include secrecy, missed obligations, changing friends, money problems and physical changes like weight loss or track marks.
Local Resources & Next Steps
Anyone comparing addiction treatment centers in Bemidji or anywhere else in the country can search our listings to review programs, levels of care and payment options. Drug rehabs in the Bemidji area offer detox referrals, residential and outpatient programs, and medication-supported recovery.
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