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| Vol. 23, No. 3 |
| February 15, 2001 |
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Recovery Center Takes on New Name, Location By JOHANNA NATALE Memorial Hermann Healthcare System Memorial Hermann's 19-year-old chemical dependency program has taken on a new name and moved to the Texas Medical Center area. The Memorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center is a 40-bed facility, now located at 1550 LaConcha. The center assists adults with alcohol and other drug dependencies. The Prevention and Recovery Center utilizes the 12-step model of recovery to treat the disease of addiction and aid in the recovery process. The chemical dependency services available at the center include detoxification, residential treatment, transitional living, family programs, extensive aftercare groups, employee assistance program services, executive evaluations, intensive outpatient services and relapse prevention planning. Relapse prevention planning is an integral part of the center's approach to treatment. Certified relapse prevention specialists provide extensive education, support groups, individual counseling and prevention assignments. "Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is committed to meeting the critical need for chemical dependency services in our community," says Sandra Wicoff, director of chemical dependency services. "The Prevention and Recovery Center will be a center for excellence and a tremendous resource to those in treatment as well as the recovering community at large." Memorial Hermann Behavioral Health Services is also expanding its programming and moving toward an outpatient model of providing care as an alternative to inpatient care. A step toward this model is the approach of Call F.I.R.S.T., or Fast Interventions Resources and Stabilization Team, which works in Memorial Hermann's emergency rooms. The team, staffed by psychiatrists, advanced nurse practitioners, nurses and social workers quickly assesses and refers patients with psychiatric or chemical dependency symptoms. Some patients are diverted to outpatient facilities as an alternative to inpatient care. Outpatient clinics are being developed to offer expanded services and hours of operation. Presently, clinics are located in The Woodlands, southwest Houston, and the Pasadena and Pearland areas.
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