“We help addiction treatment providers operate successfully and sustainably. At the same time, we have a broader societal mission to improve addiction treatment practices and establish the place of addiction treatment in the American healthcare system,” says CEO Marvin Ventrell.

“Addiction, also called Substance Use Disorder (SUD), is a primary, chronic, and potentially fatal brain disease characterized by biological, psychological, social, and spiritual manifestations,” explains an NAATP Public Policy Statement. The best treatment involves a “comprehensive model of care that addresses the medical, biological, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of individuals impacted by the disease of addiction.”

Nationwide reach
NAATP represents around 1,000 treatment providers across the United States, as well as members in Mexico, Canada, and the UK. These centers treat individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription medications.

“The scope of addiction is wide, from alcohol to drugs. In the early days, alcoholism was the singular focus, but today the country faces a serious healthcare crisis involving drug addiction. Whatever the substance, NAATP treatment providers are equipped to treat it,” says Ventrell.

He adds, “We have a terrible access to care problem. Approximately 50 million Americans aged 12 or older meet the criteria for a substance use disorder. The vast majority of people in this country who need addiction treatment don’t get it. Approximately 80 percent of people in this country with diabetes get care for their diabetes; yet only about 20 percent—at best—of people with substance use disorders get care. That’s a travesty and it is unacceptable.”

Addiction, including alcohol and illicit drugs, is estimated to cause $422 billion in annual economic losses in the U.S., according to NAATP. The opioid crisis, exacerbated by prescription painkiller misuse and the proliferation of fentanyl, has drawn renewed attention to the devastation caused by addiction.

“The opioid epidemic changed our landscape dramatically… The problem with opioids is that they are so lethal, they addict and kill very quickly. As many as 300 people die from opiate overdose every day. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, for instance, is 100 times stronger than morphine, and it is mixed into many other drugs,” unknowingly putting users at risk of overdose deaths, says Ventrell.

Some NAATP member providers also treat sex addiction, gambling addiction, and eating disorders, and most also help patients with nicotine cessation.

Diversity in treatment models
Treatment approaches among NAATP members include outpatient counseling, residential care, and long-term continuing care. Methods include traditional 12-step facilitation, psycho-social counseling, group therapy, and pharmaceutical interventions. “We continue to learn what works best and our research foundation, The Foundation for Recovery Science and Education (FoRSE), is hard at work measuring outcomes.”

While many providers emphasize abstinence, some adopt a more harm reduction-based model, which seeks to minimize the negative consequences of addiction without insisting on complete abstinence. “We respect the patient’s autonomy, but we hope for the kind of addiction recovery that gives the patient a long, full, and happy life,” says Ventrell.

All NAATP members must be fully licensed and accredited and must adhere to the Association’s Code of Ethics. Treatment best practices are provided in NAATP’s Quality Assurance Guidebook, which defines the core competencies of care for the industry. Two major organizations accredit treatment centers in the U.S.: the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and The Joint Commission. State authorities, meanwhile, typically handle licensing.

The Quality Assurance Guidebook covers an array of topics, including Governance, Management, and Leadership (treatment facilities need a rules-based governance structure); Admissions (a thorough assessment is required of each client entering treatment); and Follow-up (patients should be offered a continuum of care and have their outcomes tracked). Service providers are also required to keep well-written, updated procedures and policies, and must operate safe, professionally run facilities.

Ultimately, treatment providers should offer “a professionally staffed program that follows best practices, evidence-based practices, and science,” says Ventrell.

Upholding ethical standards
NAATP’s Code of Ethics was created about a decade ago in response to misleading practices by some online treatment providers. These “bad actors” would often misrepresent their services, harming the public and damaging the industry’s reputation.

In response, NAATP pushed for more stringent vetting processes, particularly with platforms like Google. CEO Ventrell testified before Congress about such deceptive practices, and NAATP developed the Code to emphasize professionalism, transparency, and dignity. Misleading advertising, paying for patient referrals, and making false statements about treatment programs are cited as unethical. “Most treatment providers are ethical, but there are always a few who harm the field. We worked with Google to remove deceptive ads and protect consumers,” recalls Ventrell.

The Addiction Industry Directory (AID), created by NAATP, helps the public locate licensed and accredited treatment centers, offering detailed information on the services available. NAATP also hosts webinars with experts and an annual National Addiction Treatment Leadership Awards gala to celebrate excellence in the field.

Approaching addiction
While NAATP is not a clinical research entity, it strongly supports addiction-related scientific and medical studies. Advancements in brain imaging techniques like Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) have deepened the understanding of addiction as a physiological condition.

“We can literally see addiction in the brain,” says Ventrell. One of the benefits of brain science is it helps to take the stigma away. People are ashamed to have alcoholism, people are ashamed to have an addiction, but they shouldn’t be; it turns out, they have a brain disease. Addiction is a disease, centered in the brain, with psychological, social, and spiritual manifestations. All of those pieces have to be addressed,” he says.

The addiction treatment field is unique in American healthcare because it largely emerged from “an altruistic social movement”––Alcoholics Anonymous––rather than from “entrepreneurial business interests or medicine per se,” Ventrell explains. AA, founded in 1939, developed the influential 12-step treatment model, which NAATP continues to support as a scientifically grounded approach.

By the 1950s, the AA model had become institutionalized, with the emergence of treatment centers offering residential care, followed by a kind of boom in the 1970s.

NAATP was founded in 1978 and continues to adapt to address gaps in treatment and advocate for systemic improvements. The Association has since adapted to new challenges, including the opioid epidemic and the rise of managed care in the U.S.

“We recognize that there are social determinants of healthcare; access often depends on where you stand in American society. Wealthier individuals have better access to care, and that’s something we need to change,” says Ventrell. NAATP is committed to ensuring equitable care for marginalized communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), who have historically been underserved.

Advocating for equity
Advocacy is also central to NAATP’s mission, and the Association maintains a Director of Public Policy in Washington, D.C. and a Political Action Committee (NAATP PAC) to influence policymakers. The Association also runs the Alliance for State Advocacy (ASA) to address local and state-level issues.

This September, NAATP praised new rules released by the Biden-Harris Administration aimed at enforcing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Passed in 2008, the Parity Act was intended to ensure that SUD treatment received similar coverage as physical ailments, but was poorly enforced. The new rules strengthen the enforcement of insurance provisions for SUDs, says Ventrell.

He views the Parity Act as a companion piece to the Affordable Care Act, both of which aim to improve access to addiction care.

NAATP has raised concerns about the legalization of marijuana for adults in several American states. While decriminalization (removing criminal penalties for simple possession) “makes good sense,” allowing legal cannabis sales has resulted in an increase in marijuana use, especially among young people, whose developing brains are at risk, says Ventrell. Still, he is optimistic about the future and looking forward to further advances in brain science and other means of addressing addiction issues.

“I have to stress that treatment works, and we need to do everything we can in this country, collectively and individually, to help people access treatment. 800 people die every day from drug or alcohol overdoses. It’s a healthcare crisis, a national emergency. The good news is, this is a treatable illness, and you can get well. There is hope for everyone.”

The post Advancing Addiction Treatment in America<p class="company">National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP)</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

What makes the services of All In Solutions so trusted by so many are the rich variations in the care provided at its facilities, where each approach is adapted to fully accommodate the uniqueness of each individual.

This includes a 12-step recovery system that differs from AA, faith-based recovery systems, and other services. It means that the All In Solutions team consists of experienced pastors and licensed clinical professionals. Nobody has to follow a system that does not align with their personal beliefs, making each treatment more practical and more successful.

Treatment disciplines include family therapy, art therapy, yoga therapy, and more, addressing a wide range of substance addictions. “Our goal at All In is to touch as many lives and help as many people as possible. That’s why we’ve grown into multiple states,” says Dennis Ryan, Chief Executive Officer. “People love it,” he adds, highlighting the quality of this program which provides individuals with tailored care to ensure their highest chances of success.

Network of support
Treatment is not limited to attempting recoverees. Spouses, partners, and other family members are also supported through counseling and guidance every step of the way. By providing knowledge and understanding to those closest to patients, All In Solutions creates an informed and empowered support network that people can draw on even after they leave.

As we know, alcohol is by no means the only culprit at the root of addiction. Cited in a recent article by the University of Nevada as “the most lethal drug epidemic in history,” fentanyl is another of many other substances contributing to what Ryan also confirms to be an epidemic of addiction in America.

Then there is the danger of purchasing recreational and “medical” drugs on the black market, where unregulated production and sale often come with far-reaching, life-threatening dangers of their own when fraudsters market one thing and sell another.

As a recoveree engaged in the battle of alcoholism daily, and having supported relatives through the process himself, Ryan understands the struggles of rehabilitation and the importance of sustainable care and genuine emotional support only too well. “When we have people in our care, we have a big task on our hands to build this foundation. We have to arm them with the tools they need to sustain their recovery after they leave our care,” he says.

Fear of rejection is often one of the biggest challenges people face when considering treatment. Compounding this struggle are social norms that encourage overindulgence, making it even harder to break free from destructive patterns. In some cases, an individual’s social circle may resist their efforts to change, creating a dynamic akin to the “crabs in a bucket” phenomenon—where those trying to escape are pulled back down, preventing progress and keeping them trapped.

Stepping out of such dynamics can be complex and hard to do without the guidance of professionals and the support of loved ones. And, depending on where one is in their struggle, this can be an overwhelming situation, especially when facing additional challenges such as low self-esteem, depression, anger, or hopelessness.

Fearful of a new life
“They think that they can never be happy again. As a sober individual myself, I thought those things,” Ryan says of his personal battle with self-acceptance and breaking into a new life. He notes how fearful he was in reinventing himself, making new friends, and engaging with life and social situations in more meaningful ways. “Today I can say that life is awesome. I’m truly blessed and truly grateful for the opportunity I’ve had.”

Naturally, his was not a solo journey and there were many supporters along his path. “Life is so much easier sober. I have so much less nonsense and chaos and so much more opportunity for happiness and a life that I’ll remember,” he says. “That’s a blessing in itself.”

On the subject of being prepared to get help, he is pragmatic. Finding common ground with someone who is entirely unwilling is important. By establishing a connection point of shared experience, one establishes trust. Acknowledging one’s own vulnerability in front of someone who needs help and is fearful of stepping forward to take another’s hand can bridge the seemingly endless quagmire of self-loathing and abuse, and safely bring them across into sobriety—the two keys here, of course, being patience and respect.

Of course, there are no guarantees. As Ryan says, even the obligatory period of detoxification can still leave some people craving more of what they are addicted to. Therefore, reaching rock bottom is a necessary milestone in the process for any real change to be effected. And, while nobody can achieve these breakthroughs under duress, providing support and information often does set the ball to recovery rolling.

Getting real about the dangers of addiction is paramount to initiating change, however. While many think that social alcoholism is harmless in comparison to fentanyl addiction, the anti-social behavior and even abuse that often stems from it are not.

Far-reaching impacts
Looking at the potential effects on children alone, a 2011 study by University College London (UCL) in the United Kingdom suggests that children who are exposed to violent behavior within the family or who suffer abuse display brain patterns identical to those of soldiers in combat situations. The outcomes are equally far-reaching, creating generational trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and possible future addiction issues for such children due to compromised brain development.

Of course, the dangers of drinking and driving are also significant. “With drug addiction, it could be the next one that takes your life. Is the next time your last time? Alcohol might not seem as severe, but the next one might be the one that puts you behind bars,” Ryan says. “Living in prison is no way of living.” And that includes the prison of chaos and regret that can follow in the wake of a binge.

Founded by Luke Peck in 2013, All in Solutions is based on creating an atmosphere of familial comfort where people are surrounded by humans who know what it feels like to go the whole nine yards on a personal level. And, because its founders are also in recovery, they form benevolent mainstays that this life-changing outfit depends on.

Sharing people’s journeys, from leaving chaos behind to changing their lives and growing into bright new futures that would otherwise not have been possible, this team has seen it all. And, while the going can be tough, this is their true calling—to help and support people imprisoned by addiction to find genuine freedom. Dennis Ryan’s appreciation of the company’s partner and Chief Operating Officer is profound. “Without Michael Maddaloni, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

With a firm focus on continuously expanding its capabilities, quality, and reach, All in Solutions is striving to help Americans thrive by supporting growing numbers of families and individuals in enhancing behavioral health in a growing number of locations. To this end, it is also in the process of acquiring Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) status. Dennis Ryan’s message is simple, heartfelt, and authentic: “Our team truly, truly cares.”

The post Providing Paths to Freedom from Addiction<p class="company">All In Solutions Behavioral Health</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

The center has successfully established itself as a premier treatment provider. “There are a lot of places where people can go in the Valley, here in the Metro Phoenix area and even in the surrounding states,” says Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paul R. Valbuena. “I think what’s unique about Buena Vista is that we have a multi-site campus, and we’re really invested in a continuum of care.”

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, the center has treatment locations in Tucson, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Cave Creek, with approximately 240 employees and a total of 157 patient beds. “140 of those beds are all private rooms with private bathrooms,” says Director of Sales and Marketing James Rich. “I think we’re the only recovery center in the state that offers private rooms and private bathrooms, especially to Medicaid patients.”

Buena Vista offers care to these patients as well as those who have the ability to pay via other means. “We do drug and alcohol treatment, rehab treatment for all levels of care, and we do take all insurances,” Rich explains.

Providing a continuum of care means that patients are supported for the long term, rather than just through the initial detoxification process. “We all know that addiction doesn’t stop with a detoxification process,” Dr. Valbuena says. “This is really a continuum of care where we are invested in not only detoxing, but also stepping down the different levels of care.”

After the initial detox care, which typically lasts between five and seven days, patients can receive residential care, “which is typically 30 days or more in treatment as they continue on their journey of sobriety,” he says. “They stay with us, and they program—we instill long lasting tools they can use to achieve their individual treatment plan goals set forth by the client and the client’s treatment team. They sleep there; they eat there.” Patients live onsite around the clock until they complete the program.

“After completion of the initial level of care of detoxification—nailing down the backbone of sobriety and giving them the tools—there is a level of care that they’re stepped down to after that,” Dr. Valbuena says. “And that’s a partial hospitalization program, which essentially means they can live at home or they can live in sober living, but they would come back to us during the day five days a week, and program just like they were in the residential program,” he explains.

“And then the next level of care would be what is called an intensive outpatient service, which is after PHP [partial hospital program] has been met,” he continues. “This step can last up to two months, but everybody’s different. People can be stepped down quicker than others, depending on their readiness.” Ultimately, patients move on to an outpatient service program where they are connected with individual therapy.

This multi-step approach includes much-needed access to medical treatment, making care more holistic. “We are very well-rounded with nursing and medical care,” says Dr. Valbuena. “We not only treat your acute addiction and addiction diseases of all types, we also treat psychiatric comorbidities, whether it be major depression, PTSD, anxiety—all the things that you would do in an outpatient psychiatric clinic—as well as medical comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, anything you get [care for] from the PCP. So, we’re really hitting it from all fronts because I think that the crux of recovery is not just concentrating on addiction; it’s really a well-rounded approach from all angles and wellness for the patient.”

A team of dedicated medical staff makes this holistic approach possible. “We have a great team of medical professionals led by Physicians and Nurse Practitioners specializing in addiction and psychiatry. We have 24/7 nursing on-site at all three campuses.” Buena Vista’s robust team includes licensed addiction counselors and therapists, many of whom are specifically trained in trauma therapy and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Another level of support staff includes discharge planners and social workers who help with patient placement. “Unfortunately, there’s a pretty good amount who are homeless who may have no resource,” Dr. Valbuena says. “So, we have a lot of case managers and social workers that support the transition of each patient at whatever level they need, whether it be helping with housing, or with insurance, or coordinating appointments. So, whenever there is a step down or even a discharge from our campus, they’re set up with resources, but it’s always recommended that they continue with treatment because it is a lifelong journey to achieve that goal of complete sobriety.”

This team is committed to community outreach. “We have these three amazing women who are a part of our business development team: Katie, Lisa, and Etna,” says Rich. “They are absolutely fantastic. They do community outreach, working with other recovery centers to find individuals who need help finding the right services for them, and then they also do outreach in the sense that they go to where different homeless populations congregate.” The women offer these vulnerable groups of people everything from the center’s services to meals, water, and blankets.

The team is also committed to sharing knowledge in order to help patients. The center’s Vice President of Medical Services has helped develop a patient acuity tool, “which is used to really find the right level of care for patients at our facilities, and also so that other centers can help patients get the right level of care for them,” he says. “It’s a really amazing tool that we are hoping will help create more standardization for patient acuity.”

If this acuity tool determines that Buena Vista is not the best fit for the patient, the team has the contacts within the industry to guide these patients where they need to go. “In the event that our program is not appropriate or may not fit their specific needs, our team has a network with a number of other resources in the Valley to help them,” Dr. Valbuena says.

With so much to offer patients—and so many people in need—the team is eager to grow Buena Vista. “It’s still a highly underserved community in need of help,” says Dr. Valbuena, and the team is eager to expand its outpatient programs, possibly in the West Valley or North Phoenix area. “I do think that access and location is important for a lot of people in the community.” However, determining the best location to meet that need is not always clear. “It’s really kind of a moving target.”

Wherever the next location, it will deliver the well-rounded approach for which Buena Vista is known. “I do think that our vision of curing rather than just putting a Band-Aid on the addiction need is important,” he says. And so is providing this care to as many patients as possible. “Our vision is to really provide access to all.”

The post A Continuum of Care<p class="company">Buena Vista Health and Recovery Centers</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Established in 1977 in Birmingham, Alabama, by a family who saw firsthand the impact of substance abuse in their community, Bradford Health Services was born out of compassion and a commitment to help those struggling with addiction find a path toward recovery. Originally starting with just one treatment center in Warrior, Alabama, and later expanding to Madison, Bradford has since grown its reach and impact substantially, offering a wide range of services across the southeastern United States.

Bradford Health Services’ growth over the years has been intentional and driven by its mission to provide accessible, high-quality care to individuals wherever they are in their journey of recovery. In 2017, Centre Partners acquired Bradford, initiating a period of expansion that extended its footprint to states like North Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This commitment to growth was reaffirmed in 2022 when Lee Equity Partners acquired Bradford and continued its expansion into Florida and Texas. Today, Bradford serves around 2,000 patients daily, with a dedicated staff of 1,500 professionals.

Bradford Health Services offers a unique model for substance use disorder treatment, grounded in its “hub and spoke” system. Each main campus functions as a comprehensive treatment hub, providing acute medical detox and residential services. Supporting this hub are various outpatient services, sober living options, and other resources that contribute to a continuum of care for individuals at different stages of their recovery. According to CEO Rob Marsh, this model allows Bradford to provide flexible care to meet the diverse needs of its patients, from high-acuity detox to outpatient counselling.

“A central benefit of our approach is the ability to meet patients wherever they are in their recovery journey,” Marsh explains. By offering a full continuum of services, Bradford ensures that patients can access the necessary support without needing to transition between different providers. This comprehensive care model allows Bradford to deliver a seamless experience that promotes stability and fosters lasting recovery.

The organization’s Chief Marketing Officer, Chandler Keel, adds, “Our commitment to providing a full continuum of care means that each patient, from detoxification to outpatient services, receives consistent, structured support throughout their recovery journey.” This strategy allows Bradford’s residential facilities to act as centralized hubs, connecting patients to an intensive outpatient program that supports their transition back to daily living.

One of Bradford’s unique strengths is its team, many of whom have personal experience with recovery and addiction. As Marsh emphasizes, “The dedication and insight our team members bring to their work are invaluable. Many of them have been through recovery themselves, offering patients both professional guidance and personal understanding.”

This shared experience creates a profound connection between staff and patients, making the journey of recovery feel less isolating. Bradford’s team members often understand firsthand the challenges, emotions, and triumphs of recovery, and they bring this understanding to their roles every day. The organization also employs individuals across the U.S., enabling it to serve a diverse population with a wide range of needs.

Beyond their direct work with patients, Bradford’s staff fosters a supportive environment through an alumni network. Bradford’s alumni program provides ongoing support for individuals post-treatment, addressing one of the most challenging aspects of recovery: returning to everyday life. Through the alumni network, former patients can connect with others who have undergone similar experiences, forming a strong, supportive community alongside the guidance of staff to support them through the complexities of life after treatment.

Bradford Health Services places a high priority on measurable outcomes, striving for excellence in relapse prevention, treatment adherence, and post-discharge medication support. Bradford’s outcomes, as Marsh highlights, consistently outpace those of its peers. “We excel in areas like relapse prevention and post-discharge support,” he says. “It’s exciting to see that the care we provide genuinely helps patients stay on the path of recovery.”

The company’s commitment to quality is further emphasized through its focus on value-based contracting. By partnering with commercial insurance providers, Bradford aligns its reimbursement with patient outcomes, reinforcing its dedication to providing high-quality, effective care. This approach, while financially prudent, also reflects the organization’s core mission: prioritizing the well-being of its patients.

Bradford’s excellence is recognized through its accreditation by the Joint Commission and the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, the industry’s gold standards. These certifications underscore Bradford’s commitment to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care, as do its high patient satisfaction scores. Bradford’s Net Promoter Score, an indicator of patient satisfaction and willingness to recommend services, stands at 4.7, well above the industry average of 4.2. This figure reflects the trust and satisfaction patients feel toward Bradford, as well as the dedication of its staff to fostering a supportive, respectful environment.

As the landscape of substance use disorder treatment continues to evolve, Bradford Health Services is at the forefront, embracing person-centered, holistic approaches. “Today, the industry is much more concerned about the entire person,” Marsh observes. This shift is evident in Bradford’s approach to treatment, which considers not only the substance use disorder itself but also the socioeconomic, psychological, and medical factors that contribute to addiction. Bradford has been a pioneer in this area for many years, making it well positioned as more providers adopt similar comprehensive care practices.

For Keel, the industry must rise to meet the demands of patients, and he believes Bradford is poised to be part of that solution. He cites significant research showing that longer stays in clinical environments improve sobriety rates, and Bradford is committed to staying engaged with patient’s post-discharge, a move that Keel believes will lead to improved outcomes.

“We’re finding opportunities to maintain patient connectivity within clinical environments in ways that will allow us to exceed historical outcomes,” he says. This focus on post-discharge engagement aims to prevent relapses and support sustainable recovery.

Technology also plays an increasing role in Bradford’s approach to treatment, with tools like artificial intelligence and wearable devices on the horizon. These innovations hold promise for tracking behavioral changes, preventing relapse, and engaging patients even after they leave the treatment facility. Bradford’s forward-thinking approach ensures that it can meet patients’ needs in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, leveraging technology to provide better care and improved outcomes.

With its recent acquisitions and new facilities, Bradford Health Services is poised for continued growth. Its recent acquisition of Lakeview Health Services in Jacksonville, Florida expands its reach, as does the establishment of the Trinity River Recovery Center in Dallas, Texas. Bradford’s expansion strategy is community-focused, seeking out areas with the highest need for services. Many of Bradford’s centers are located in rural communities, where residents may have limited access to treatment options. By extending its reach into underserved areas, Bradford ensures that individuals in these communities have access to quality care regardless of their financial circumstances.

Bradford’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its service offerings. It accepts patients across a wide range of financial backgrounds, from those on Medicaid to privately funded patients. This approach reflects the team’s dedication to providing accessible care for all, meeting patients where they are financially as well as emotionally.

Underpinning Bradford’s success is its culture of servant leadership. From the CEO to the frontline staff, everyone at Bradford is committed to serving the best interests of the patients. This commitment fosters a culture of accountability and compassion, ensuring that patients’ needs are always the top priority. By maintaining this patient-centered culture, Bradford continues to set itself apart as a trusted, compassionate provider in the field of addiction treatment.

As Bradford Health Services looks to the future, its growth is guided by the same principles that have defined its past: compassion, quality, and accessibility. With its emphasis on holistic, patient-centered care, Bradford is prepared to adapt to the evolving landscape of addiction treatment. Its commitment to quality outcomes, value-based care, and technological innovation positions it as a leader in the field, setting the standard for effective, compassionate treatment.

As the organization expands its reach and services, Bradford remains a beacon of hope for those seeking recovery, offering a path forward with compassion, integrity, and unwavering support.

The post Leading with Purpose and Innovation in Addiction Treatment<p class="company">Bradford Health Services</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

The annual survey provides data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs, substance use disorders, and mental health issues. Breaking it down further, 28.9 million individuals had an alcohol use disorder, 27.2 million had a drug use disorder, and 7.5 million people experienced both.

Worse still is the growing proportion of America’s youth in this vulnerable population. The percentage of people with a substance use disorder in the past year was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25. Now consider the fact that substance abuse at any age can sharply exacerbate symptoms of mental illness or trigger mental health problems—when these disorders collide, the risk of self-harm increases, and with it, the critical need for in-patient health services.

On the front lines
One of Oregon’s most comprehensive treatment facilities, Serenity Lane is a non-profit substance use disorder center directly involved in helping these patients and their families. The care team sees the real-life impact behind the statistics daily, understanding the pain and uncertainty people feel when it comes to how to heal.

“Being welcomed into a non-judgmental environment is central to what a person will experience when they call us and walk in the door for the first time,” says Pete Kerns, President and CEO of Serenity Lane. That is paramount when people are feeling fearful in the midst of their substance use disorder, he explains, with the empathy his organization is known for. “They don’t realize that their brain has been rewired and there’s a compulsion that they have little control over. But they try to control it and in their failure to do so, they hurt themselves. They hurt the people who are closest to them. There’s a lot of guilt and shame at the time that they choose to come in.”

This is a critical turning point, he tells us—when a person realizes that their life has become more unbearable than their fear of going into treatment. “That’s when they pick up the phone to call us.”

Serenity Lane takes those calls for help and accepts admissions seven days a week––a response that sets the facility apart from other centers. Similarly, if someone calls on behalf of a loved one in crisis, steps are taken immediately to welcome people into treatment.

Open arms
“The most common thing that people who’ve been through our program are grateful for is an environment where they feel welcome,” says Kerns. When people are at their lowest with substance use disorder and mental health struggles, simply feeling welcomed and supported can be a lifeline. Serenity Lane stands proudly on a long tradition of providing lifelines, giving people a new beginning and uniting families.

The original center opened back in 1973 when there weren’t any treatment centers available south of Portland. Pete Kerns’ father was a family physician who had lived through the trauma of family tragedy. His mother and two brothers died from diseases and his father, a dentist in a small town in Nebraska, died from alcoholism. Pete’s dad was only 15 years old when all his immediate family had passed away.

“That left quite an impression,” Kerns says. “When he was a doctor here in Oregon, taking care of families and getting to know the local AA leaders, they would bring patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) to him,” he says, referring to the need of so many for help with addiction. It started him on a path to establishing a much-needed treatment center.

The first facility was established in a vacant fraternity house that became a place for people with AUD who needed detoxification and residential treatment. A residential treatment center is usually the first stage of getting treatment for a substance use disorder; it helps the patient get off the addictive substance and start an intensive treatment plan that requires an inpatient stay of a month or more, depending on the individual. This facility was a win for residents of communities in the Willamette Valley, a beautiful area between the Oregon Coast and the Cascades south of Portland.

While the center was founded on the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program model popular at the time, the offerings have expanded considerably just as the facilities have over the years. The new residential center in historic Coburg is complemented by six outpatient clinics in the state that provide supplemental substance use disorder (SUD) therapy, mental health therapy, and case management services for navigating community supports like housing and employment.

A holistic approach
Serenity Lane’s personalized treatment plans reflect leading the intervention strategies in the field, which is part of what makes it a sought-after teaching center for medical school residents and students in nursing or psychiatry. Here, the expert team focuses first on integrated care, which is an evidence-based holistic approach for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. Medication is still frequently a part of treatment, but the residential center also boasts a gym, a meditation space, a wellness facilitator for fitness and nutrition, a clinical chaplain, and yoga instruction.

“When I started in the field 35 years ago, if I had someone come to my office that had been drinking, I invited them to leave because I couldn’t possibly do therapy with somebody that was intoxicated,” says Dr. Cheryl Gifford, Mental Health Director at Serenity Lane.

“Now we view it differently, so that patients assessed with a dual diagnosis are being treated for their substance use disorder and mental health disorder at the same time. Research says that’s the best way to do treatment. We’re providing integrated care, which is a really positive shift.”

Serenity Lane has seven full-time mental health professionals and four full-time counselors in withdrawal management helping with detox and checking on patients during daily rounds in the hospital unit. While individual counseling is provided, groups work together on how to manage both mental health conditions and substance use disorders. There is a separate group to tackle how to cope with trauma, which is common in this vulnerable population, and another group with sexual and gender minority status.

Getting family on the team
Another valuable option, unique to Serenity Lane, is the family program where patients and their loved ones are brought together to discuss the disease of addiction and the treatment program. This approach helps people better understand what their family member is going through and ultimately strengthens family ties. “This might be just as important as the treatment the client receives, because every family, every household, achieves some kind of equilibrium,” says Kerns. “And for a person with an alcohol use disorder, for example, that equilibrium exists, and it supports the alcohol use disorder for that person. So the family comes in and learns about that and how to change it, because if our client went back into the same household without that awareness, they would surely relapse. A lot of work is done with the household members to make sure that there’s a good situation to go home to.”

Kerns has a background in law enforcement and initially retired in his late 50s, deciding to interview for the position of President and CEO of Serenity Lane when the post became available. He’s been in the role for five years now and humbly says he’s most proud of the people who preceded him. “They did all this fundraising and built this place; that’s probably the most impressive accomplishment beyond opening in 1973, because we’ll be on this campus for decades and we’ll continue to grow here and develop our services.”

Expanding capacity
Kerns is also excited about research partnerships with the University of Oregon and others to evaluate the family program and the comprehensive wellness program offered at Serenity Lane, and about expanding the capacity of the Counselor in Training Program that has been so successful for former patients.

As Dr. Gifford explains of the team’s dedication, “We recognize that substance use disorder is a disease that takes lives, so there’s a real passion to do the work and to help everyone we can. The culture is so compassionate and vibrant here at Serenity Lane and I think that’s one of the things that sets us apart. We care about providing the very best care because many of us remember what it is to be a patient.”

Indeed, some former patients are now in management positions or working as chemical dependency counselors. “We have mental health counselors who have been chemical dependency counselors and then decided to go back to school and get a master’s degree,” Dr. Gifford says. “I’ve worked in a lot of different places in healthcare, and Serenity Lane feels like coming home. The culture here is very rich and the people who are here really appreciate being able to work in this environment. That speaks volumes about the care we provide.”

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