Addiction treatment options in Tennessee

Thanks to my friend Steve Wildsmith for allowing me to reprint his 2010 New Year column here. I hope the info helps some folks. – kag

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A couple of times each year, I round up a list of treatment possibilities for addicts and alcoholics who have decided to do something about their problem.

The new year is a time when many reach what, in most recovery programs, is called a bottom — a low point in which the scales tip, and the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change.

For many, nothing as simple as turning a calendar page over to a new year is enough to force a decision that it’s time to seek help. Many addicts — and I speak from personal experience — would rather linger in the familiar pain of dereliction, degradation and humiliation because the fear of the unknown, the thought of living life without the use of drugs, is too great.

Which is why I urge anyone with a loved one who battles the diseases of addiction and/or alcoholism to cut this column out and save it. Just because an addict may not be ready today or tomorrow doesn’t mean that he or she won’t reach their own bottom in the coming weeks or months and decide to seek help.

It’s not easy to wait until that point is reached, especially for loved ones who encourage the addicts in their lives to get help. Unless an addict is ready to stop using and do something about the problem, no amount of coaxing, bullying, pleading or threatening will get them to change.

And even when that point is reached … when the life they lead becomes too weary or difficult … it doesn’t mean that help is readily available. These days, it’s almost impossible for an addict to wake up one morning, decide to get help and actually receive that assistance the very same day. Note — the key word here is “almost,” because help is out there, if an addict is willing to put forth as much effort into obtaining it as he was into getting high.

The key is willingness to keep going, no matter what, until help is obtained. And as a caveat — this list contains a number of treatment centers, but I also include 12-Step meetings held in Blount County. (There are dozens more held every day in nearby Knoxville.) Going to a treatment center is not a requirement; many addicts do, but many also find the help they need in the rooms of recovery and learn how to live a new life without ever stepping foot in a treatment center.

Bottom line — if an addict wants to get into a treatment center, they need to call, call and call some more. It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. Cut these numbers out, save them and share them with someone you know who struggles. And in the meantime, until a bed opens up, get to a meeting. Surround yourself with those who understand and want to help.

Here’s a roundup, although I’m sure it’s not complete, of meetings, treatment centers and other places that help the addict and alcoholic:

Alcoholics Anonymous

A 12-Step program for those who struggle with alcoholism. For more information, go to www.discoveret.org/etaa/, or call the East Tennessee Central Office in Knoxville at 974-9888. The help line, open to callers from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., is 522-9667.

Al-Anon

A 12-step support group specifically for family members and loved ones of addicts and alcoholics. For more information, visit the Web site www.discoveret.org/alanon/kada.html, or call the Knoxville office at 525-9040.

Narcotics Anonymous

A 12-step program for those seeking help from addiction. For more information, go to the Web site at www.knoxvillena.org or call the hotline at 1-866-617-1710.

Faith-based recovery programs (Blount County only; there are many options in Knox County)

These religious programs combine traditional recovery methods with a Christ-centric approach to breaking the bondage of addiction.

– Mainstream Rehab is a recovery program at RIO Central church, meeting at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays in Room 13 of RIO Central, 370 S. Long Hollow Road, Maryville. Call 681-2763 for more information.

– Celebrate Recovery meets at 7 p.m. every Tuesday in the RIO Central Gym. For more information, e-mail contact@celebraterecoveryrio.com.

Treatment centers

– Blount Memorial Hospital, 907 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville (981-2300): The hospital’s Emotional Health Services program includes detoxification treatment for those with insurance. Different types of insurance are accepted; if BMH doesn’t take yours, they’ll help refer you to a facility that does.

– Bradford Health Services, 301 S. Gallaher View Road, Suite 300, in Knoxville (693-9326): Offers outpatient services, counseling and more.

– Cornerstone of Recovery, 1214 Topside Road in Louisville (crisis line, 970-2189; business line, 970-7747): Cornerstone of recovery offers a detoxification program followed up with several options, including a 21- to 28-day inpatient treatment program. Cornerstone only accepts insurance patients or those who pay by cash, but payment arrangements can be made, and Cornerstone staff members will work to refer or assign grants to some indigent patients.

– Peninsula Hospital, 2347 Jones Bend Road, Louisville (970-9800): Peninsula offers a detox program based on the seriousness of the addiction. A preliminary phone assessment determines how quickly you’ll be assessed in person. Peninsula accepts certain types of insurance, as well as TennCare.

– Center Pointe, 5310 Ball Camp Road, Knoxville (523-4704): This facility, formerly known as DRI Dock, is the only facility in East Tennessee that accepts indigent patients. Because of the waiting list, the availability of detox beds is scarce. Detox typically lasts three days, or if an addict is interested in going through the facility’s 21- to 28-day treatment program, they can get on the treatment waiting list and will be detoxed three days before being admitted. However, the waiting list to get in the door can vary, from six to sometimes as many as 12 weeks.

Other options

Others may be forced to look out of town for treatment options. Here are a few around the state:

– Aspell Recovery Center, Jackson: 731-427-7238

– Brookhaven Retreat (women only), Seymour: 1-877-817-3422

– Buffalo Valley, Hohenwald: 1-800-447-2766

– CADAS, Chattanooga: 1-877-282-2327

– Centerstone (various facilities in Middle Tennessee): 1-800-681-7444

– Cumberland Heights, Nashville: 1-800-646-9998

– Cumberland Plateau Recovery, Cookeville: 1-877-528-2258

– English Mountain Recovery, Sevierville: 1-877-459-8595

– Focus Healthcare of Tennessee, Chattanooga: 1-800-675-2041

– Harbor House (for men), Memphis: 901-743-1836

– Indian Path Pavilion, Kingsport: 423-857-5500

– Magnolia Ridge (and Willow Ridge, specifically for women), 900 Buffalo St., Johnson City: 1-877-928-9062

– Mary E. Watts Recovery Center, Newport: 423-613-8324

– New Directions, Memphis: 901-327-4244

– New Leaf Recovery Center, 1200 S. Willow St., Cookeville: 1-877-567-6051

– New Life Lodge, P.O. Box 430, Burns: 1-866-836-8125

– New Path at Parkridge Valley Hospital, Chattanooga: 1-800-542-9600

– PathFinders, 432 East Main Street, Gallatin: 1-800-553-2540

– Pine Ridge, 2800 Westside Drive, Cleveland: 423-339-4100

– Place of Hope (Christian-based), Columbia: 931-388-9406

– The Ranch, P.O. Box 38, Nunnelly: 1-800-849-5969

– Samaritan Recovery Community, Nashville: 615-244-4802

– Serenity Recovery Centers, Memphis: 1-888-521-1131

– Spirit Lake Recovery, McKenzie: 1-877-242-1242

– Synergy Treatment Centers, Memphis: 901-332-2227

– Tony Rice Center, Shelbyville: 931-685-0957

– Vanderbilt Addiction Center, Nashville: 615-936-3555

Other options are out there; the key is perseverance, because there can be a lot of red tape to jump through. The other is willingness — just how badly do you want to do something about your problem? If the answer is “anything,” then check one of these programs and/or facilities out.

Steve Wildsmith is a recovering addict and the Weekend editor for The Daily Times. Contact him at steve.wildsmith@thedailytimes.com or at 981-1144.