IMAP News April 2026
Insulators Member Assistance Program Update
Rich’s Rants
Each month, the LMCT IMAP Newsletter will feature the “rants” of Youturn Health Chief Clinical Officer Rich Jones.
Check out this short video as Rich, who is recognized nationally as a subject matter expert on substance use disorder (SUD) and healthcare and recovery integration, introduces viewers to concepts and ideas that can help you make it through the day after dealing with stress and everyday issues.
Second Chance Month: Alcohol and Marijuana Awareness
Stress Awareness Month
Second Chance Month: A Reminder of Resilience and Opportunity
For many, every month represents a chance at re-entry – the ongoing journey of rebuilding lives after incarceration. However, the designation of April as Second Chance Month provides a poignant opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges individuals face when re-entering society after serving time.
How to Ask for Help for A Mental Health or Substance Use Issue
If you’re dealing with a substance use or mental health-related challenge, one of the best things you can do is ask for help. So why is it so hard to do?
We are often raised to be self-reliant, and asking for any type of help can make us feel weak or vulnerable, leaving us open to rejection or criticism. You may also feel that asking for help makes you a burden or indebted to someone. Additionally, there is a lot of stigma around mental health and substance use. It’s tough to ask for help in general, let alone for something that can feel as big and heavy as struggling with mental health or substance use.
What to Expect at Your First AA Meeting
Hollywood has a way of taking reality and changing it up for creative purposes and for good reason. The more dramatic, the more the viewer buys in. However, this has done a disservice to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), as my first meeting was not like the ones I saw in When a Man Loves a Woman or 28 Days. It was much less intimidating; I was not singled out, and I didn’t have to speak if I didn’t want to. For an introvert like me, if I had been called out, I would have run for the hills. Instead, I still go back each week and have for many years.
My intent here is not to debate the harm or good that AA has done. It is not to promote AA. It is not to bash ANY method or lifestyle that helps one lead a happy and productive life. You can find plenty of that on the internet these days. My hope is just to provide a glimpse of what meetings are like and what you can expect as a newcomer. For that, I’ll go back to my first meeting.
Making Informed Decisions About Marijuana Use
Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal substance in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 19 percent of Americans used marijuana at least once in 2019. Like with any substance you put in your body, there are risks that everyone should be aware of. Several concerns around marijuana are not simply black and white, which can complicate people’s perception of the drug. Yes, marijuana is safe, but you still have to be cautious. Yes, you can overdose on marijuana, but it’s really unlikely. Here’s some information to help you make sense of the situation.
Cultivating Contentedness
I recently found myself working at a jaw-droppingly beautiful work site on the central coast of California. I was on top of a grass cliff overlooking the dark blue Pacific Ocean, but despite the amazing backdrop, I was distracted by my mind overthinking, ruminating and what-iffing. Work stress, personal stress, financial stress, marital stress…you name it, and I was probably overthinking it.
Perhaps you can relate.
On this day at this time, I could have found a pot of gold and complained that it was not gold enough.
I finally realized I needed to intentionally fix my mindset.
Infographic: The Free Three
Simple Daily Actions for Increased Happiness
Take charge of your happiness with the Free Three! These three simple activities are shown to reduce stress and increase joy.
Download this infographic and discover the Free Three!
Infographic: What is Substance Use Disorder
The latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines Substance Use Disorder (SUD) as recurring when “substance use causes significant problems in someone’s life.”
Download this infographic and learn more about SUD.
IMAP Wallet Card
Lauren Houck’s Story from Adderall to Prison to Peer Support Specialist
Her story is an example of how our coaches use their struggles and their triumphs to encourage others along a path to a life worth living. Lauren pours her heart out in this episode and will undoubtedly give hope to those still struggling.
Youturn Health and The Path Forward
Augie Ghilarducci knows what it’s like to be at a crossroads and to need a second opportunity. After owning and operating a financial planning firm for fourteen years, he made a series of bad decisions that led him to be convicted of white-collar crimes. He served 13 years in federal prison before returning to Chicago in July 2017. To make sense of his experience, Augie used his time in prison to help others. As part of a community outreach program, he spoke about his ethical failures at high schools, colleges and businesses for almost a decade. He also developed a series of employment readiness, financial literacy, life skills and barriers to re-entry courses that he taught to fellow inmates.
Chris Thompson is the Sober Sidekick
Chris Thompson of the wildly successful Sober Sidekick app sits down for an informative session with Youturn Health Chief Clinical Officer Rich Jones.
Thompson is the founder of Sober Sidekick, the world’s largest digital recovery community. He founded this platform because he believes the opposite of addiction is connection, and believes that his own recovery is dependent on his willingness to be of service to others.