by James Coburn, Staff Writer
The Addiction Recovery Center (The ARC) is like a vessel that carries people through troubled waters. It serves the community by providing withdrawal management from chemical dependency for women, said Amy Woolery, vice president.
Located in midtown Oklahoma City, the ARC opened in February with nine beds offering a home feel to its guests.
Located at the Valir Rehabilitation Hospital, The ARC distinguishes itself from Valir as a separate brand. Valir focuses on physical rehabilitation, but both entities are bound by the same corporate umbrella.
The ARC’s Intensive Outpatient Program is gender specific, open to women who are 18 years of age or older, said Jenni Aguilar, manager of marketing and communication. It is an eight-week program with sessions three nights a week, from 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday.
“I guess the enriching part of working with people who are struggling with addictions is this is a big fork in the road for them,” said Dr. Ruth Seaman, medical director. “To play some role in that is an honor. We get to give whatever we can of ourselves to encourage them to take that path that’s going to work better for them.”
Jody Hill, RN and nurse supervisor, has been with Valir Health since 2005. She transferred her care to the ARC recently.
She said The Arc provides an area of nursing that motivates her and makes for an personally rewarding career.
“I get to help people,” she said. “This is taking them through the first part of their journey which is detox.”
The guests of The ARC are learning to manage their chemical withdrawal symptoms as they make a major step in their lives, Hill explained.
“There is a lot of anxiety and they are terrified about what is going to happen in the future, how they got here and basically where they are going to end up,” Hill said.
The ARC deals with alcohol abuse and other types of drugs associated with addiction.
“We deal mainly with the pill part of it. We have seen some who have been on heroin,” Hill continued.
Several factors motivate a client to seek help at The ARC. People hit rock bottom, maybe there has been a crisis situation or their job is in jeopardy. Clients may be living the lives of strangers in their own house as drug addiction causes problems with family dynamics.
Woolery said that 75 percent of the women they treat will also have an overlapping mental health concern.
“We see that quite a bit. They’re struggling with depression or some other mental health concern,” Woolery said. “Some sort of trauma in the past plays a part in the addiction as well.”
But there is hope. The ARC helps people return to their families to live a productive life by facing their challenges.
“This is just the first step in a very important journey,” Woolery said. “We know they are going to need more intensive long-term treatment beyond here. Our focus, even on day one, is what is the next step,” Woolery said. “What will be best for the individual to continue on a road to recovery.”
Guests at The ARC will enjoy a comfortable setting, including private guest quarters with an en suite bathroom, a shared family room for activities, meals and snacks. Guest can enjoy amenities such as group exercise, yoga and meditation.
Each guest is initially evaluated by credentialed staff at time of admission. During this process all medications currently being prescribed for co-occurring conditions are determined, so each guest can continue to have all health issues properly treated.
“What sets The ARC apart is their unique multidisciplinary team and personalized care management,” said Julio Rojas, Ph.D., The ARC’s consultant and psychologist. “No two clients will have the same issues and personalized care is necessary and possible.”
Woolery said the ARC clinical team assesses each guest to determine what barriers play a role in their sustained recovery process. A personalized treatment plan is developed to assist each guest in furthering their commitment to recovery once their strengths and risk factors have been identified, Woolery said.
“Life-goals are identified based on the guest’s passions and interests and The ARC team is committed to implementing a plan of action to help you achieve your goals.”
