New Resource Page on the WestBridge Website | | |
We are excited to share that we have a new resources page on our website. Over the years, WestBridge has collected a compilation of educational and supportive resources related to dual diagnosis and the recovery and healing process. These include videos, articles and podcasts on a variety of topics, as well as online and community resources. They have previously been located in an online "Family Portal" through SharePoint.
To directly access the Resources page, visit https://www.westbridge.org/family-resources/.
Robin Pinard, MA, LCMHC, RYT 200
Director of Admissions and Outreach
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Our IOP is now offering a new hybrid virtual and in-person format. Individuals are able to attend programming in-person or virtually via Zoom. Even more flexible options are coming soon!
Stay tuned for more information!
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National Sleep Awareness Week is this month, as is
Daylight Savings Time.
We all know the following can help, but setting up reminders for yourself before Daylight Savings Time hits can help you adjust better once the time changes.
Here are a few tips to help yourself and your family members:
Practice calming routines, journaling, guided breathing, or gentle stretching before bed can reduce racing thoughts that disrupt sleep.
Set a consistent sleep schedule each day, going to bed and waking up at the same time reinforces your body’s internal clock.
Limit screens before bed, reducing blue-light exposure at least 30–60 minutes pre-sleep helps signal your brain that it's time to wind down.
The American Heart Association also offers a few tips to get ahead of the time change and protect your heart health.
| | Staff Spotlight - Bradley Labarre, CEC, CCA, AAC | | |
As a Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Administrator, I have dedicated more than 40 years to the culinary and food-service industry, shaping kitchens, teams, and dining experiences with a passion for excellence.
My journey has taken me through a wide range of roles and responsibilities, each one deepening my commitment to culinary leadership and professional growth. From hands-on cooking to high level administration, I’ve always believed that every plate tells a story.
I am honored to be a member of the American Academy of Chefs, the prestigious honor society of the American Culinary Federation. This recognition reflects not only my work in the kitchen but also my dedication to mentorship, ethics, and advancing the culinary profession.
Throughout my career, I have competed in, and won, numerous culinary competitions, earning awards that celebrate creativity, skill, and disciplined craftsmanship.
Beyond competition, I’m most proud of the countless fundraisers for hunger relief that I’ve helped lead and support. Cooking has always been my way of giving back, and using culinary talent to help communities in need remains central to my mission.
I’ve spent decades developing chefs, guiding teams, and fostering environments where innovation and respect for the craft can thrive. Education and mentorship have always been core values in my work. Over the years, I’ve seen the industry evolve in extraordinary ways, and I’ve embraced every opportunity to adapt, lead, and advocate for positive change in food service.
Today, at WestBridge, I find deep purpose in contributing to the health and wellness of those we serve. Food is more than nourishment, it is comfort, connection, and care. I take great pride in creating menus that not only meet high culinary standards but also support individual wellness goals and enhance quality of life. Working in an environment where hospitality and health intersect allows me to use my experience in a meaningful way, ensuring that every meal supports
well-being while delivering dignity, enjoyment, and a sense of home.
My career continues to be driven by gratitude, for the people I’ve worked with, the challenges that shaped me, and the opportunity to make a positive difference through food every single day.
-Bradley Labarre, CEC, AAC, CCA
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WestBridge is lucky to have a Chef with the background and experience that Chef Bradley brings to our facility.
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March is National Nutrition Month and Self Harm Awareness Month. It also includes National Sleep Awareness Week 8-14, 2026, National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (Mid March), and Dissociative Identity Disorder Awareness Day on March 5th. And St. Patrick's Day.
Nutrition for Addiction Recovery: Best Foods, Diet Tips, & Healing Support
Eating for well-being
Addiction and Malnutrition
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides free National Nutrition Month® tip sheets (meal planning, smart snacking, eating on a budget) that family members and supporters can use to craft recovery-friendly meals.
Self-Harm - What It Is & How to Understand It
Self-Harm: Causes, Behavior, and First-Steps for Support
Understanding and Assessing Self-Harm: What You Need to Know
NAMI’s Ask the Expert Webinar: Understanding Self–Harm
National Sleep Foundation – Sleep Awareness Week Resources
NAMI – Sleep and Sleep Disorders Overview
Mental Health America: Get Enough Sleep
8 Tips for Staying Sober on St. Patrick’s Day
Conquering Each Day with Dissociative Identity Disorder
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW) Resources and Activities for Learning
“… Another thing that stands out is the residence at the Commons …
it’s spotless, very organized, yet comfortable and big enough so each resident has some space. We’ve had brunch there several times and the food is outstanding…The program itself is very different from anything we’ve dealt with … WestBridge is comprehensive and thorough in its treatment of patients…
– An appreciative WestBridge family member.
| | Cravings, Chemistry, and Finding Balance | | |
When people hear "sugar," the first reaction is usually immediate and emotional. It's either the villain of the story or it's the harmless sidekick. I see this all the time when I'm working with people, and for people navigating mental health challenges or addiction recovery, this can be even more of a challenge. A cooking conversation or a discussion about diet puts sugar firmly into the villain category.
It's not that black and white. In early recovery, the brain is recalibrating and rediscovering its normal equilibrium. Dopamine pathways that were overstimulated are trying to normalize. During that time frame, cravings for sugar are common. The brain is searching for a quick reward while it relearns how to regulate itself.
Refined sugar activates reward pathways. It delivers a quick rush of energy and then fades just as quickly. The spike-and-crash cycle that refined sugar causes can amplify a person's anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and cravings. For most people that's hard to handle; for someone already trying to stabilize emotionally, that volatility makes everything a lot harder.
Blood sugar crashes can cause symptoms similar to anxiety (shakiness, sweating, rapid heartbeat) and sometimes feel like a panic attack. That is not to say that sugar is the only thing that causes issues, excessive food intake and poor overall diets play the biggest part in metabolic instability; sugar is the proverbial icing on the cake.
Using refined sugar as part of a regular diet is not recommended, but natural sugars operate differently. When you eat fruit, yogurt, or even carrots, you are getting fiber, water, micronutrients, and often protein. Fiber helps with gastric digestion and helps moderate glucose absorption. When natural sugars are part of a nutrient-dense mix, your body reacts differently.
From a metabolic standpoint, whole foods create a slower glycemic response. From a behavioral standpoint, they increase satiety. A pear requires someone to chew it; a bowl of berries and yogurt slows eating down because it takes a little time to eat. These physical processes help a body signal fullness, unlike drinking a can of soda or eating candy. Sugar-laden sodas and highly processed sugars bypass many of the regulatory processes a body has, making overconsumption easier and sugar crashes more likely.
Many people with a history of substance use have micronutrient deficiencies — B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are directly involved in neurotransmitter production and regulation. Whole foods that contain natural sugars contribute to restoring a body's balance. Refined sugar contributes calories without meaningful nutrients. It's quick energy with no lasting benefits.
This does not mean we need to stay away from desserts or sweets. The goal is more healthy eating overall.
A few tips that can help set your day on the right track:
- Start the day with protein and fiber. That sets the tone for blood sugar stability rather than starting with a sugar spike.
- Choose whole fruit instead of juice when cravings hit. Juice removes the fiber that moderates glucose absorption, and many juices have additional added refined sugar.
- Pair carbohydrates with protein or healthy fat. Fruit with yogurt. An apple with nut butter. That combination helps flatten the glucose curve.
- Eat consistently. Long gaps between meals increase both sugar cravings and the risk of sugar crashes affecting mood, anxiety, and depression.
- Limit foods where added sugars appear near the top of the ingredient list.
- Look for minimally processed options that retain fiber and nutrient density. And if you must have something slightly sweet, try to stick to unrefined, unprocessed natural sweeteners like raw honey, maple syrup, date sugar, coconut sugar, or monk fruit. Use caution, as some natural sugars are high in fructose, which can have its own metabolic considerations.
Low-glycemic sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit are helpful for managing blood sugar but have an aftertaste that some people have a hard time adjusting to. Raw honey is best for gut health and digestion.
Date sugar/paste, maple syrup, raw honey, and coconut sugar are more nutrient-dense than refined sugar and are best for substituting refined sugar in cooking and baking.
Many natural sweeteners are not as sweet as refined sugar, and we have found that once your taste buds start adjusting to "less" sweetness, it helps cut down even more on intake. You will find over time that your taste buds kind of recalibrate themselves, when you start consistently eating whole foods rather than overprocessed ones, tasting a highly processed dessert doesn't taste as good anymore and tastes excessively sweet.
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March is designated as Maple Month in New Hampshire.
100% pure maple syrup isn't just a sweetener, it’s a foundational ingredient. Unlike the "flat" sweetness of refined sugar, pure maple offers a complex profile of caramel and woodsmoke that elevates everything from a salmon glaze to a simple vinaigrette.
Beyond the flavor, it’s a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with manganese and zinc, and recent 2025 studies even highlight its prebiotic benefits for gut health. Because it has a lower glycemic index and higher antioxidant count than white sugar, you get a cleaner burn and better depth of flavor. My advice? Swap out the processed syrups for a Grade A Dark; a little goes a long way in balancing salt and acid while keeping your health in check.
Courtesy of WestBridge's Chef: Bradley Labarre, CEC, CCA, AAC
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Recipe courtesy of WestBridge's Chef: Bradley Labarre, CEC, CCA, AAC
Authentic Texas Chili
Ingredients:
- 2 dried Ancho chilies
- 2 dried Guajillo chilies
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons masa flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon salt, plus more for seasoning if needed
- 1 tablespoon black pepper, plus more for seasoning if needed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1/2 in. cubes
- 1 medium white onion
- 2 jalapeños, seeds and membrane removed
- 3 cups beef stock, divided into 1 cup and 2 cups
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Method:
- Cut the stems off the dried chilies and remove all of the seeds. Place them in a blender with 1 cup of warm beef stock. Cover the blender and let them soak in the beef stock for 30 minutes.
- While the dried chilies are soaking, cut the beef chuck roast into 1/2 inch cubes and dice the white onion and jalapeños.
- In a bowl, mix together the chili powder, paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, masa flour, ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- After 30 minutes, puree the chilies and beef stock together to create a
- homemade chili paste. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a medium cast-iron Dutch oven. Brown the beef chuck cubes on all sides. If there is not enough room in the Dutch oven, brown the beef chuck cubes in batches. Do not remove the brown buts or liquid from the Dutch oven – this has all the flavor and will be used for the Texas Chili. Remove the browned beef chuck and set aside.
- Using the remaining liquid in the saucepan, sauté the onions till translucent. Then add the diced jalapeños.
- Deglaze the Dutch oven by adding the remaining 2 cups of beef stock, and apple cider vinegar. Then scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to get all the bits of flavor incorporated.
- Add the beef chuck back into the Dutch oven along with the homemade chili paste, dry ingredient mix, and brown sugar. Mix all of the ingredients together and bring to a boil. You may need to add a splash of water to thin out the viscosity a bit.
- Once it comes to a boil, lower the heat, slightly cover the Dutch oven, and
- simmer for 2 – 2.5 hours or until the beef chuck is tender. Make sure you stir the Texas Chili occasionally.
- Once the beef chuck is tender, serve the Texas Chili with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapeños, and a side of cornbread.
Printable Recipe
| | This Month's WestBridge Puzzle | | |
This month's puzzle was created from one of our own photos of the WestBridge offices. Take a short break, reset your focus, and enjoy a few minutes of low-pressure problem-solving before jumping back into your day.
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Direct admissions are available in all programs.
Levels of care include:
WestBridge now offers two Intensive Outpatient Programs, a morning IOP and an afternoon IOP. Individuals are able to attend programming in-person or virtually via Zoom. Additional flexible options will be available soon.
WestBridge’s Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides structured, intensive mental health and substance use treatment in a supportive outpatient setting, five hours per day, five days per week for 4 – 6 weeks. Designed for individuals experiencing moderate to severe psychiatric symptoms, emotional distress or substance use disorders that interfere with daily functioning, and who require a higher level of care than traditional outpatient therapy but do not need 24-hour inpatient hospitalization. As such, PHP can serve as a step-down from inpatient care or a step-up from lower levels of outpatient support.
For more information: Call our admissions team at 1-877-461-7711, email inquiry@westbridge.org or connect with us at https://www.westbridge.org/admissions/.
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if you would to catch up with past issues, please click here.
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