The Menninger Clinic Opens New Center for Addiction Medicine and Recovery
HOUSTON (March 19, 2024) — The Menninger Clinic today announced the opening of its new Center for Addiction Medicine and Recovery, which specializes in treating substance use and behavioral addiction that may be accompanied by a mental health issue. With a growing number of people living with substance use disorders and addictions, the new center allows Menninger to expand its practice of simultaneously treating a patient’s addiction and other psychiatric conditions, leading to improved long-term outcomes.
“A growing number of people are living with substance use disorders and addictions, and this new center expands our ability to offer patients innovative and effective treatment options that lead to better outcomes,” said Armando E. Colombo, president and CEO, The Menninger Clinic. “The vision for this new center is now a reality thanks to the many donors and mental health advocates who supported our efforts to create this facility.”
The new center is located on the second floor of Menninger’s Outpatient Services Center in 8,300 square feet of space that includes 10 therapy rooms, an observation suite for training addiction professionals, a medication suite, two group meeting rooms and a patient activity room.
Menninger’s new Center for Addiction Medicine and Recovery treats substance use disorder as well as behavioral addictions, such as sex addiction, gambling, spending or other processes that cause significant consequences. Featuring the latest options, Menninger’s addiction treatment services include:
• Evidence-based treatments, including safe, effective detoxification, medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mentalization-based therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, medicine-based abstinence and harm-reduction programs;
• Recovery coaching services with certified peer recovery specialists who share their personal experiences in recovery to support and encourage others on their recovery journeys;
• Recovery Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), a six- to eight-week program that integrates services for substance use, addiction and co-existing mental health conditions;
• Navigator, a collaborative case management program with coaching and peer support that helps adults maintain their recovery from drugs and alcohol plus any mental illness, to reduce recurrence of substance use or a mental health crisis after returning home;
• The opportunity to participate in a scientific study of an innovation in treatment.
Medical Director Daryl Shorter, MD, leads the center which includes a team of 25 staff members, including addiction psychiatrists, licensed addictions counselors and certified peer recovery specialists. In addition to onsite treatment, community-based treatment teams composed of clinical trainees, counselors and peer recovery specialists will provide addiction services in underserved areas throughout the region.
“A core tenet of Menninger’s addiction treatment is emphasizing that substance use disorders exist alongside mental health conditions and dispelling the notion that mental health conditions drive substance use disorder,” said Shorter. “The new Center for Addiction Medicine and Recovery allows us to further incorporate this belief into practice through treatment, education, research and community outreach.”
For more information about The Menninger Clinic and available services, please visit www.menningerclinic.org or call 713-275-5400.
About The Menninger Clinic –
The Menninger Clinic has 98 years of experience diagnosing and treating people with mental illness. Highly trained teams of mental health experts provide a supportive, healing environment coupled with evidence-based treatments across a range of services for adults and adolescents that reduce troubling symptoms and strengthen skills for making changes that last. Menninger is a teaching hospital of Baylor College of Medicine’s Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and is a member institution in the Texas Medical Center. All psychiatrists and psychologists are on the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, visit www.MenningerClinic.org.