Origins Recovery Centers announced the opening of Hannah’s House, a trauma-informed 90-day addiction treatment program exclusively for Women on South Padre Island, Texas.

South Padre Island, Texas (PRWEB) November 18, 2011

Origins Recovery Centers, a nationally-recognized provider of longer-term inpatient addiction and co-occurring disorder treatment, announced that it has opened “Hannah’s House by Origins”, a highly-specialized women’s addiction treatment program located on tropical South Padre Island, Texas. The waterfront property is separate from Origins’ flagship men’s campus and caters exclusively to the unique needs of women suffering from substance abuse and related issues. The program places particular emphasis on trauma resolution and the treatment of co-occurring pathology that makes the road to recovery particularly difficult when left untreated.

“We’re delighted to offer the treatment intensity that Origins is known for with sophisticated addiction medicine and clinical care tailored specifically to a woman’s needs. Referring professionals who rely on Origins as a treatment resource have been asking us to open a gender-separate women’s program for years; we leveraged our team of specialized clinical and medical talent to design this distinctive program,” said Ben Levenson, Chief Executive Officer. “Women are notoriously underserved and under-resourced. Origins is proud to provide an extremely high-quality, trauma-informed, longer-term women’s treatment program in the Texas market – Hannah’s House is desperately needed,” he said.

Origins began renovating and feminizing the quaint bay-side property over six months ago. The Company licensed an additional 4,000 square feet of clinical services space for the partial hospitalization program which includes therapist offices, elaborate group rooms, a psychological testing lab, additional nursing station and physician’s office. The boutique treatment program is limited to only sixteen adult female clients in order to ensure an extremely high level of clinical attention and patient care. The expert treatment team for Hannah’s House boasts an entirely female staff of addiction professionals. Each Case Manager is an experienced, masters-level therapist trained in treating addiction, sexual and physical trauma, co-occurring eating disorders, self-harm, body-image issues and other challenges commonly facing addicted women. Hannah’s House utilizes the Origins organization’s existing medical and clinical resources including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, an Internist, nurses, a dietician, personal trainer, 12 Step experts, ministerial support personnel and others. In addition to individualized intensive clinical attention, clients of Hannah’s House will enjoy encounters with Origins’ physicians and nurses every day.

The Origins model of addiction treatment harmonizes the latest advances in addiction medicine and evidence-based therapeutic interventions with an immersion in the ageless Twelve Step experience. Hannah’s House by Origins is designed for the relapsing woman with unresolved trauma and outstanding co-occurring disorders. Through effective therapies like EMDR, motivational interviewing, psychodrama, cognitive and dialectical behavioural therapy, adventure and arts therapy, Origins’ therapists are able to help clients heal long-standing wounds while learning to live on a spiritual basis of life through the Twelve Steps.

“The data is very clear in this regard. Chemically dependent women are much more likely than their male counterparts to have been the victims of serious abuse. In fact, high instances of women who find their way into treatment report trauma and abuse histories. That’s why the integrated treatment of trauma and substance abuse is a key feature of treatment at Hannah’s House,” said Rich Whitman, the Origins President and Executive Director. “Treatment at Hannah’s is complete with dignity, passion, clinical sophistication and love.”

“I never expected that I would be living on South Padre Island,” said Michele Kliewer, LPC, a newly hired therapist at Hannah’s House, “however, the enthusiasm for recovery in Origins’ culture is quite literally infectious. After meeting the current staff, learning more about their clinical vision and seeing how gorgeous the new facilities are, I knew I had to become part of this wonderful organization. I’m home,” she said.

To learn more about Hannah’s House by Origins, visit the Company’s website at http://www.originsrecovery.com or contact an admissions specialist today at (866) U-GET-WELL. Hannah’s accepts most major health insurance and Origins also has some partial scholarship and financing resources available to qualified candidates.    

About Origins Recovery Centers®

Origins provides a comprehensive continuum of individualized alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs and recovery support services for adults, including those with co-occurring disorders. Origins’ treatment approach unites effective addiction medicine and evidence-based clinical strategies with a profound immersion in the timeless 12-Step experience.

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Ben Levenson, CEO
Origins Recovery Centers
(956) 772-9200 110
Email Information

Extra, Extra: High Speed Rail Funding Killed, NBA Lockout Hurts Hooters, Christian Sex Addiction Treatment: LAist

VERO BEACH — The cost of recovery from substance addiction is proving too much for many residents.

Gate Lodge Hanley Center turns away two to three people a week who are seeking treatment at its facility at 3395 11th Court, southwest of Indian River Medical Center. This weekend, fundraisers will be held to try to provide assistance for some of these people.

The center, is a not-for-profit treatment facility, provides a 28-day inpatient program for adults suffering from addiction. The majority of the patients these days are addicted to prescription pain medications, according to Kathy Hurt, the center’s director of development.

Hanley Center charges $4,200 for treatment, which Hurt has said is lower than many other private centers in the area. Patients who are unable to receive treatment at the center are referred to publicly supported centers, she said.

According to Hurt, there is less than a handful of these centers within 150 miles, One of these, New Horizons of the Treasure Coast, has only a half dozen beds in its 28-day treatment program.

At one time, Hanley Hall was able to provide a limited number of partial scholarships to help some of the people seeking treatment who couldn’t pay the full cost. Hurt said that money is long gone because of the increased demand for assistance, primarily fueled by those seeking treatment for prescription drug abuse.

This weekend, a series of events are being held to raise funds for the Jay Morgan Scholarship Fund for Gate Lodge Hanley Center at Vero Beach.

Late Indian River County Firefighter John “Jay” Morgan made it one of his missions to try to provide treatment for such people after a person he took to Hanley Hall was turned away for lack of money, said Hurt.

EVERETT — In his 34-year career as a lawyer, Patrick Mullen stood in front of a judge many times to argue on behalf of his clients.

On Monday, Mullen’s challenge wasn’t in making an articulate case. It was proving his sincerity.

The disbarred attorney, 64, was sentenced Monday after admitting he’d used the legal profession as a means to smuggle heroin to inmates at the Snohomish County Jail.

“I did wrong,” Mullen said, his voice soft and small in the nearly empty courtroom. “I did wrong.”

Mullen’s August 2010 arrest was linked to a drug addiction he said began with a dependence on the OxyContin he was prescribed to control pain after hip replacement surgery. He graduated to using heroin. Before being turned in by an informant, Mullen fed his addiction by sneaking heroin to inmates during attorney visits, and keeping some of it for himself.

Mullen in July pleaded guilty to one count each of felony drug possession with the intent to deliver and trying to introduce contraband inside a jail, a gross misdemeanor.

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Bruce Weiss said he wrestled with what to do about Mullen.

The man faced a standard punishment of at least a year in prison for the drug possession. He asked for an alternate sentence legally available to many drug offenders, obtaining up to six months of residential drug treatment and years of close supervision instead of incarceration.

Deputy prosecutor Janice Albert said she initially believed treatment was the best alternative. She factored in Mullen’s age, his health problems and evidence that he was essentially bullied by drug traffickers and inmates into becoming a drug mule, the prosecutor told Weiss.

On the other hand, she said he engaged in “despicable” behavior by using his lawyer credentials to deliver dope to inmates, even after he was earlier disbarred in 2010 for acknowledged malpractice. Making it worse, after his arrest Mullen told state investigators that he considered smuggling heroin to addicted inmates a “humanitarian” act aimed at reducing their suffering.

“I was horrified” Albert told the judge. She noted that two of the men Mullen has admitted providing heroin were in jail on armed robbery charges. Another was locked up for child molestation.

Weiss said he, too was shocked by Mullen’s statements. He said he wanted to be convinced that Mullen was sincere about recognizing he’d done wrong.

Public defender Donald Wackerman said Mullen’s comments about a “humanitarian” motive came at a time when his client hadn’t yet obtained the clarity of sobriety.

Mullen offered a similar explanation and apologized for the harm done. He told the judge that he’s “bewildered” by the damage drugs did to his judgment and character.

Mullen said that since his arrest he has been attending several meetings each week of support groups for recovering addicts.

Weiss said he expects Mullen to continue on that path. The judge also structured the man’s sentence so that he can personally monitor his progress. He warned Mullen there is a prison cell in his future if he messes up.

Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com.

DESPITE numerous education campaigns and health warnings, new research reveals 67% of Australians believe the treatment of addiction is not taken seriously enough in Australia.

Yet some still believe there is a safe level of cigarette smoking and illicit drug use – 17% and 13%, respectively.

The research, commissioned by Pfizer Australia, shows the majority of Australians (78%) believe addiction to nicotine, alcohol or illicit drugs should be considered treatable medical conditions.

Of the smokers surveyed, 22% believe nicotine addiction is a habit only, with 72% of them saying they would change their approach to quitting if they knew nicotine addiction was a recognised medical condition.

Dr Raymond Seidler, a leading addiction specialist and general practitioner, said: “It’s alarming that people do not recognise the gravity of substance abuse in Australia.

“They still think, despite all of the health warnings, that even small amounts of addictive substances are harmless, particularly nicotine in cigarettes.

“There is simply no safe level of use.”

The Department of Health and Ageing reports the number of deaths caused by tobacco each year to be about 15,000 compared with 1150 alcohol and 872 illicit drug-related deaths.

 

EVERETT — In his 34-year career as a lawyer, Patrick Mullen stood in front of a judge many times to argue on behalf of his clients.

On Monday, Mullen’s challenge wasn’t in making an articulate case. It was proving his sincerity.

The disbarred attorney, 64, was sentenced Monday after admitting he’d used the legal profession as a means to smuggle heroin to inmates at the Snohomish County Jail.

“I did wrong,” Mullen said, his voice soft and small in the nearly empty courtroom. “I did wrong.”

Mullen’s August 2010 arrest was linked to a drug addiction he said began with a dependence on the OxyContin he was prescribed to control pain after hip replacement surgery. He graduated to using heroin. Before being turned in by an informant, Mullen fed his addiction by sneaking heroin to inmates during attorney visits, and keeping some of it for himself.

Mullen in July pleaded guilty to one count each of felony drug possession with the intent to deliver and trying to introduce contraband inside a jail, a gross misdemeanor.

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Bruce Weiss said he wrestled with what to do about Mullen.

The man faced a standard punishment of at least a year in prison for the drug possession. He asked for an alternate sentence legally available to many drug offenders, obtaining up to six months of residential drug treatment and years of close supervision instead of incarceration.

Deputy prosecutor Janice Albert said she initially believed treatment was the best alternative. She factored in Mullen’s age, his health problems and evidence that he was essentially bullied by drug traffickers and inmates into becoming a drug mule, the prosecutor told Weiss.

On the other hand, she said he engaged in “despicable” behavior by using his lawyer credentials to deliver dope to inmates, even after he was earlier disbarred in 2010 for acknowledged malpractice. Making it worse, after his arrest Mullen told state investigators that he considered smuggling heroin to addicted inmates a “humanitarian” act aimed at reducing their suffering.

“I was horrified” Albert told the judge. She noted that two of the men Mullen has admitted providing heroin were in jail on armed robbery charges. Another was locked up for child molestation.

Weiss said he, too was shocked by Mullen’s statements. He said he wanted to be convinced that Mullen was sincere about recognizing he’d done wrong.

Public defender Donald Wackerman said Mullen’s comments about a “humanitarian” motive came at a time when his client hadn’t yet obtained the clarity of sobriety.

Mullen offered a similar explanation and apologized for the harm done. He told the judge that he’s “bewildered” by the damage drugs did to his judgment and character.

Mullen said that since his arrest he has been attending several meetings each week of support groups for recovering addicts.

Weiss said he expects Mullen to continue on that path. The judge also structured the man’s sentence so that he can personally monitor his progress. He warned Mullen there is a prison cell in his future if he messes up.

Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com.

In this decidedly cool economy, any news of growth should be greeted with frenzy — unless the industry growing has to do with substance abuse and addiction.

A flurry of recent government data shows demand is surging for addiction recovery services, a sector that has remained largely immune from economic woes.

“I employ about 12 therapists,” said Dr. Russell Gaede, executive director of Provo-based Life Enhancement Center. “Six months ago, I only had three.” 

Government economists say they expect job growth in substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling to be much faster than the average for all careers through 2018, leaping by 21 percent. 

Gaede, who launched Life Enhancement Center five years ago this month, is having a ribbon cutting Thursday, as he expands the company’s third location in Utah County. “We’re doubling in size in Eagle Mountain,” he said. 

In the battle against addictions, news from the Utah front suggests Gaede’s practice is not likely to go out of business. A study done by Harvard researcher Ben Edelman revealed that Utahns buy online pornography at higher rates than the rest of America, putting the spotlight on a state known for its family values. Prescription drugs and illicit opiates are now the main reason for admission to treatment in the Utah County system, according to Utah County officials, and overdoses on prescription drugs are the No. 1 cause of injury deaths in the state, higher than car crashes. 

“Prescription drugs are huge. Meth is high. Spice is high,” said Gaede, 44, who once worked as a probation officer before earning a master’s degree in mental health counseling and a doctorate in clinical psychology. His expertise in the field, and the growing public’s interest, have earned him six TV and radio appearances in the last six months. 

Gaede had a client who was deeply involved in pornography and marital affairs. After two years of weekly treatments, the client managed to turn his life around and save his marriage. But Gaede refuses to take credit.

“He and his wife were the ones who did the work,” he said. “It was a joy to see them succeed.” 

This story suggests that the rapid growth in the field of addiction treatment is more complex than an increase in addiction. It also is rooted in public awareness that help is available. As society becomes knowledgeable about substance abuse and addiction, more people seek treatment. 

Still, in Utah County, where help can’t seem to keep up, more than 18,000 people need substance abuse treatment, according to Utah’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. At full capacity, the public treatment system in Utah County is only serving 937 people, or 5 percent of addicts. The county turns to private treatment providers like Gaede’s Life Enhancement Center for help.

“Private providers have an important role in the drug and alcohol treatment continuum in the county,” said Richard Nance, director of the Utah County Department of Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment. 

One faithful client is the court system. Drug offenders are increasingly sent to treatment programs rather than to jail, as an abundance of studies have shown drug courts to be a successful and cost-effective intervention. Utah County officials say the county will provide treatment to 620 people in the Utah County jail this year, up from 500 in 2010. And because 85 percent of those who are in jail or prison are there because they either committed a crime under the influence or committed a crime in order to obtain drugs or alcohol, substance abuse counselors stand to remain busy.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has become a growing referrer to private providers, urging members with addictions to seek professional help. That the LDS Church’s 12-step programs now have the majority of their participants involved as a result of pornography addiction, rather than drugs and alcohol, highlights the trend of a new kind of obsession, according to Nance. 

A pornography addiction specialist in Pleasant Grove says demand for counseling keeps growing though the practice hasn’t advertised.

“It’s a sign of the times,” said InnerGold president Gordon Bruin, who plans to add therapists to his team. “I’m booked out usually four weeks in advance, pretty much every single session.” 

“Substance abuse, and other addictions, is a growth industry even in a down economy,” says Dr. David Yells, dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Utah Valley University. UVU, for the first time this fall, offers a certificate of proficiency in licensed substance abuse counseling. The program, which fulfills one of the requirements for state licensure, also is offered online. Students as far as Vernal and St. George have signed up, according to the university.

Yells, who heads the LSAC program, believes the course’s popularity is due to the connection students have with substance abuse. “Either they themselves or someone close to them has suffered from addiction,” he said. “They find the program a tangible way to help out the situation.”

Job outlook for therapists? Definitely upbeat, says Gaede, whose new Eagle Mountain full-service mental health facility will offer individual, family and group counseling. Gaede has just finished interviewing a job candidate for the Salem location and has plans to expand to Sanpete County.

“For qualified therapists,” he says, “there’s no such thing as layoffs in this industry.” 

You can follow Daniel Crivello at www.twitter.com/dancrivello.

Celebrate A New Life, a California Faith Based Christian Drug Treatment Program, adds social media profiles to their on-line marketing in order to reach more family members and friends of those suffering from addiction.

(PRWEB) November 15, 2011

Celebrate A New Life, a faith based Christian Residential drug rehab program, works diligently to increase their on-line profile in order to provide relevant addiction treatment and recovery information for families and individuals suffering from the disease of addiction. “No longer can recovery and addiction professionals hope to reach those in need via newspapers, magazines, or Yellow Pages; we have to strive to make our website appealing and informative while dovetailing our message with our social media presence,” reports Robert (Bobby) Nicholl, Celebrate A New Life’s Director of Admissions.

In March 2009 Celebrate A New Life launched their “Christian Drug Treatment and Rehab Blog” with a mission to provide current recovery and addiction news, observations and conversation starters. According to Mr. Nicholl, “When parents or spouses realize that their loved one has a problem with drugs (both legal and illegal) and/or alcohol it is not something that they always feel comfortable running next door to talk about with their neighbor or to seek advice; however, they do go to the internet and try to learn about addiction and search for treatment programs. We consider our blog to be a service to the community.”

Now Celebrate A New Life is coordinating their web exposure with a social media presence using the following platforms:

Additionally, ‘share’ buttons are available throughout Celebrate’s website. “The door to recovery can be opened in so many ways; it is our goal to be available through numerous portals,” says Mr. Nicholl. “If we can speak via a video, a tweet or a Facebook status, then we are being of service. And we are hopeful those in need will reach out and read our blog, follow our Twitter stream, subscribe to our YouTube channel or stop by our Facebook page. After all, recovery begins with the first step.”

About Celebrate A New Life: Celebrate A New Life is a Christian Residential Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Program, located in the coastal communities of Orange County Southern California. As an integrated component of one of the very best treatment facilities and drug rehab programs in the United States, Celebrate A New Life culminates a Biblical Christ centered approach to healing, restoration, and reconciliation to God, family, and to one’s own dignity and self-worth. Celebrate a New Life offers 30-60-90 day programs in a comfortable safe ocean environment. If you or a family member is in need of help call toll-free 800-708-3173 24 hours a day seven days per week.

###

Bobby Nicholl
Celebrate A New Life
800-708-3173
Email Information

EVERETT — In his 34-year career as a lawyer, Patrick Mullen stood in front of a judge many times to argue on behalf of his clients.

On Monday, Mullen’s challenge wasn’t in making an articulate case. It was proving his sincerity.

The disbarred attorney, 64, was sentenced Monday after admitting he’d used the legal profession as a means to smuggle heroin to inmates at the Snohomish County Jail.

“I did wrong,” Mullen said, his voice soft and small in the nearly empty courtroom. “I did wrong.”

Mullen’s August 2010 arrest was linked to a drug addiction he said began with a dependence on the OxyContin he was prescribed to control pain after hip replacement surgery. He graduated to using heroin. Before being turned in by an informant, Mullen fed his addiction by sneaking heroin to inmates during attorney visits, and keeping some of it for himself.

Mullen in July pleaded guilty to one count each of felony drug possession with the intent to deliver and trying to introduce contraband inside a jail, a gross misdemeanor.

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Bruce Weiss said he wrestled with what to do about Mullen.

The man faced a standard punishment of at least a year in prison for the drug possession. He asked for an alternate sentence legally available to many drug offenders, obtaining up to six months of residential drug treatment and years of close supervision instead of incarceration.

Deputy prosecutor Janice Albert said she initially believed treatment was the best alternative. She factored in Mullen’s age, his health problems and evidence that he was essentially bullied by drug traffickers and inmates into becoming a drug mule, the prosecutor told Weiss.

On the other hand, she said he engaged in “despicable” behavior by using his lawyer credentials to deliver dope to inmates, even after he was earlier disbarred in 2010 for acknowledged malpractice. Making it worse, after his arrest Mullen told state investigators that he considered smuggling heroin to addicted inmates a “humanitarian” act aimed at reducing their suffering.

“I was horrified” Albert told the judge. She noted that two of the men Mullen has admitted providing heroin were in jail on armed robbery charges. Another was locked up for child molestation.

Weiss said he, too was shocked by Mullen’s statements. He said he wanted to be convinced that Mullen was sincere about recognizing he’d done wrong.

Public defender Donald Wackerman said Mullen’s comments about a “humanitarian” motive came at a time when his client hadn’t yet obtained the clarity of sobriety.

Mullen offered a similar explanation and apologized for the harm done. He told the judge that he’s “bewildered” by the damage drugs did to his judgment and character.

Mullen said that since his arrest he has been attending several meetings each week of support groups for recovering addicts.

Weiss said he expects Mullen to continue on that path. The judge also structured the man’s sentence so that he can personally monitor his progress. He warned Mullen there is a prison cell in his future if he messes up.

Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com.