Access makes the difference between addiction and recovery 

This story was produced as part of ThreeSixty Journalism s Multimedia Storytelling Institute for high school students in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota which financially sponsors the camp and supports story sourcing Additional reporting by JJ Moore Jefferson High School and Amelia Mani DeLaSalle High School It wasn t until Heather Lococo s daughter was born with cocaine in her system that she knew she had to receive rehabilitation Losing her kids to foster care was the turning point for her She spent days in a healing center and then started going to recovery meetings and spending time with people who didn t use drugs or alcohol That was Everybody that knew me desired me to get help Lococo noted She has had two relapses since then but is currently years sober Now she has her temporary permit as an alcohol and drug counselor and works as a plan manager at Partners Behavioral Healthcare She s also studying social work at Bemidji State University Related How an American Indian society leader is dealing hope in south Minneapolis I know the struggle So I want to see people succeed in life she mentioned Lococo and Melissa Mikkonen who is a principle campaign manager of Medicaid healthcare at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota share a commitment to equitable access in addiction recovery care Both say that countless people working in the recovery region are in their own long-term recovery I think that that s really powerful when you can be professional and also share your recovery story because then people who are on their journey can see hey that s attainable for me Mikkonen reported Mikkonen stated an epidemic of loneliness is contributing to addiction in society I think that we re all together all the time but we re all still really feeling quite alone she mentioned She sees building region as the key to recovery Mikkonen goes out into the locality a lot and she thinks it is very central to build programs that are reflective of the people she serves She loves to advance to all the different parts of Minnesota and commented that different parts of the state have different necessities Lococo elaborated that putting people of different backgrounds and cultures together with the expectation that they will all learn the same and understand the same is really arduous Lococo explained there need to be more culturally based treatments Medicine looks different for everyone Mikkonen reported Blue Cross offers programs both for people who need substance use disorder medicine within four walls and for those who don t need residential remedy but still need structure They offer virtual intensive outpatient recovery IOP for substance use disorder A decade ago according to research on IOPs of people with substance use disorder in therapy facilities were being treated with IOPs The demand for these programs is huge and these programs wouldn t be workable without funding Heather Lococo second from left graduated from Minnesota North College Mesabi Range in May She celebrated with her population and sons Anthony Hall left Chad Hall second from right Steven Niece right Mikkonen announced the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act threatens access to medicine According to two up-to-date congressional reports between million and million people are at menace of losing Medicaid coverage That s the thing that keeps me up at night Mikkonen reported For those who don t have insurance Mikkonen recommends Portico which according to its mission message helps uninsured individuals and families access affordable coverage and care She mentioned Blue Cross works with them a lot She commented counties can also be a stock Lococo mentioned the majority people know someone with drug or alcohol problems According to American Addiction Centers and the National Survey on Drug Use and Fitness of Americans know someone who struggles with substance use disorder Addiction is widespread but Lococo wants people to know that addiction recovery is workable It s hard but it s doable she revealed Related Focused on recovery Ramsey County Mental Fitness Cure Court marks years The first time Mikkonen had an impact on someone in recovery has stuck with her She commented that seeing someone be stable and profitable felt so wonderful because it was like being part of their family She wants them to know that when they are ready Blue Cross is there to help Lococo hopes those struggling with addiction don t ever give up hope I was the black sheep of my family so it was Oh don t let her over But now because of what I ve done with my life I think it s really authentically opened up a lot of people s eyes Lococo s journey provides an example of what s feasible through recovery Once homeless she s now about to close on a house of her own Everything s changed everything my relationships with people my relationships with family friends the world is my oyster she commented The post Access makes the difference between addiction and recovery 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