"What would I say to those who support this program? I'd say thank you. My care saved my life. It was so important to address my mental health and substance use disorder together," Katie says.
When Katie, a 31-year-old social worker, came to Hazelden Betty Ford, she was in a dark place. It wasn't the first time that she had gone through treatment.
"The first time, I learned what addiction was. I navigated my sobriety for 411 days through what I had learned, but then went on a 7-day bender before checking into Center City," remembers Katie. This time, Katie was part of Hazelden Betty Ford's new "Co-Occurring Enhanced" treatment program, which fully addresses both mental health and substance use disorders together, and was advanced through the generous support of the Goldring Family Foundation. For individuals with complex mental health needs, effective treatment requires an integrated approach.
"It was so different this time around. At Hazelden Betty Ford, I addressed my pain and where it came from. I learned why I was using in the first place and how to stay sober."
Katie credits the team of therapists, addiction counselors, and psychiatrists who all worked together to help tailor her treatment to her personal needs.
"Addiction and mental health treatment is not a one size fits all condition," she says.
Sober for more than a year now, Katie can focus on her job as a social worker in a long-term psychiatric residence home—and enjoy time with her cockapoo, Boogie. "He's my best buddy," she says. Together, they enjoy time outdoors. She loves to hike, the beach, reading—"anything I can do outside."
Katie says she "did everything they told me to" after residential treatment—staying engaged in several levels of treatment through the nine months following her initial care. She remembers that she would usually insist she wasn't going to go, or "I'll just do it for a short time." But she would start in a program and then wind up staying as long as she could.
"Repetitiveness is what helps you learn," she says. "I'd recommend to anyone—do the step down, day treatment, then intensive outpatient, and then follow through with individual counseling. Continue the treatment as long as is necessary to really know yourself."
"I'm so grateful to Hazelden Betty Ford for providing me with fully integrated care that addressed my addiction and mental health challenges," Katie says. "I was inspired by how much my counselors and the rest of the staff truly cared about me, and all the patients' health and wellness."
