About

Changing Minds is a substance use awareness campaign developed by the Health District of Northern Larimer County in conjunction with the Mental Health and Substance Use Alliance. The goals of Changing Minds are to de-stigmatize the disease, shift perceptions of treatment and recovery and give hope that recovery is possible to the approximately 37,000 people in our community who are living with the disease.

Substance use disorder is a disease that changes the brain. When it takes hold, the brain is rewired to function as if drugs and/or alcohol are essential for survival. A substance use disorder is not a choice. It’s a chronic, life-threatening disease like cancer or diabetes.

One in 10 Larimer County residents has a substance use disorder. Fewer than 1 in 10 of those 37,000 community members will get the treatment they need. That leaves nearly 33,000 people in need of care. – enough to fill the Blue Arena nearly five times.

But there is hope. The brain can heal. Substance use disorder care can be as effective as treatments for other diseases and works the same way —with medication, counseling and ongoing support.

The Changing Minds campaign is about starting conversations. When we change the narrative on substance use and substance use disorders, we reduce stigma, encourage access to treatment and support and build hope.

To learn more about the Changing Minds campaign: