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Mercy Addiction Recovery Center Expands Services

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 3, 2014) – More help is on the way for people battling addiction in Springfield. The Mercy Addiction Recovery Center is expanding its services to provide more convenient care for clients who work during the day.

The center is now offering an evening Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program in addition to existing morning program. Treatment will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:45 a.m. to noon and 5:30-8:30 p.m. The programs run for five weeks.

“Clients will receive group therapy, group education and individual and family therapy during that time,” said Barbara Bolton, addiction specialist. “It’s followed by aftercare groups weekly and individual sessions as needed. Some clients who may not need intensive treatment can receive individual sessions.”

Volunteer Jim Marshall, of Springfield, has been helping people at the center transition from treatment to support groups. Six years ago, the 67-year-old Vietnam veteran found himself needing recovery assistance from Mercy. “I’d been drinking since I was a teenager,” he said. “I was socially inept and it changed my perception of reality. Finally I came to the Marian Center and the Addiction Recovery Center and I’ve been sober ever since.”

Marshall encourages others to check out Mercy’s free community health forum “Why Can’t They Just Quit?” on April 16, part of Alcohol Awareness Month. Thomas Kuich, MD, and Barbara Bolton, LCSW, will speak about coping with addiction and helping family members or friends who have the disease.

“It’ll be good for everyone,” said Marshall. “If you’ve ever had to wonder if you have a drinking or drug problem, you probably do. Normal people can take it or leave it.”

The hour-and-a-half forum will be held Wednesday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the Baggot Street room of the McAuley Conference Center, located at Mercy Hospital Springfield at 1235 E. Cherokee. There will be a panel discussion at the end of the meeting with recovering chemically-dependent persons and family members as well as staff from the Addiction Recovery Center. No registration is required.

“The problem is not about stopping. It’s staying stopped,” added Marshall. “That’s why it’s so important to transition from the center to a 12-step program like I’ve gone through. I’m living a much healthier life and I’m trying to pass on what has been given to me to change others’ lives.”

Meanwhile the Mercy Addiction Recovery Center continues to evolve. It’s preparing to introduce Computer Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT4CBT). “Clients will be able to do this interactive program in the privacy of their homes on their own computers or at the Addiction Recovery Center Resource room as an important part of the treatment they are receiving at the Addiction Recovery Center,” added Bolton. Dr. Kuich describes the interactive computer program as “evidenced based” and a significant advance in addiction treatment. He also credits Mercy Health Foundation for its role in bringing this new treatment to the Ozarks.

The Mercy Addiction Recovery Center is located inside the Marian Center at 1845 Rogers Ave. If you are struggling with addiction, Mercy’s support team can help you resume a happy, healthy life. Call (417) 820-2990 for more information.