Tiffeny Owens

towens@cullmantimes.com

Cullman County residents struggling with substance abuse addiction can now receive outpatient counseling and treatment through WellStone’s New Horizons Recovery Center at no cost.

Wellstone, formerly Cullman Area Mental Health, will provide free care through 2018. To access services, Cullman County residents should call New Horizons Recovery Center in Cullman(256-255-1020) to complete a telephone screening and begin treatment. The free program does not include psychiatric or other services that a patient may be referred to receive.

Local issues, coupled with national headlines surrounding the opioid crisis, fueled Wellstone’s launch of this program. Wellstone reached out to community leaders, health organizations and law enforcement to find a way to help local residents who have become addicted to illegal drugs. Sheriff Matt Gentry has cited mental health and drug abuse as major contributors to crime, and the problem has only worsened with state budget cuts leaving little resources for help.

“We took feedback from recent meetings and developed this program to specifically serve the residents of Cullman County,” said Wellstone Chief Operating Officer Chris Van Dyke .“Our goal is to remove any barriers that individuals face when seeking treatment for addiction. Wellstone is North Alabama’s largest behavioral healthcare provider, and our goal is to make our services accessible for everyone. All too often, those facing addiction don’t know where to begin the recovery process.”

Tommie Sanders serves as the Substance Abuse and Prevention Coordinator for Wellstone Cullman and sees the opioid crisis affecting the local community every day.

“I’m grateful we can make the journey towards recovery accessible for everyone. If money was an obstacle to seeking treatment, we have removed that barrier,” Sander said.

Wellstone is an Alabama Department of Mental Health-certified non-profit organization that provides mental health and substance abuse services supporting the integrated health of the whole person. Wellstone operates 12 facilities throughout North Alabama and Cullman. It offers programs for children, adolescents, adults, substance abuse, school-based outreach, community services and more.

New Horizons Recovery Center – Cullman is located at 1909 Commerce Avenue in Cullman. For more information, go online to wellstone.com.

 

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.