Drew Rothermel – President and Chief Executive Officer
The New Year is a time of renewal, one which offers each of us the chance to accept new challenges and revive commitments to both personal and professional values. During this contemplative period, we are quietly empowered to reflect on the experiences of the past year, while preparing to wield the knowledge we have gained for the year to come. Through this gift of perspective, we are able to nurture changes that will aid in building the legacy that we plan to leave. No matter what form they make take, the New Year is marked by resolutions of all varieties.
For those in active addiction, resolutions may not be enough to sustain recovery.
Those who have battled against addiction can attest to the difficult dilemma presented with the ongoing resolution to quit “once and for all.” Promises made on New Year’s Eve may be an all-too-familiar exploit. Mustering all of his or her will power, the addict who clamors for sobriety may make yet another annual pledge to take a firm stand against addiction. These courageous pledges are often doomed and most fail to materialize; the toll of the fatal progressive illness captivates the mind and pulls the addict into yet another devastating bender.
Family and friends who have stood by the suffering individual also know the flashing hope of recovery.
Many family members will recognize the familiar encouragement of a loved one’s promise to quit for good, while anticipating the next relapse. Still others will approach the resolution of a loved one with rising confidence, while remaining in denial of the costly addiction that is sweeping through the family unit. Whatever the circumstances, the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions may be a subject that incenses intense emotions for all involved. Those of us on the firing have seen the dire consequences of broken promises. From a professional standpoint, we are called to confront the surmounting difficulties presented by these resolutions, and are given the opportunity to support not only the person seeking recovery, but their family members, as well.
At Origins, we are dedicated to delivering a lasting solution for addiction.
Though we are only temporary stewards of our patients’ care, we believe that treatment can result in permanent sobriety. Origins’ goal is to create effective systems of care that attend to the physical, mental, psychological and spiritual needs faced by every individual hoping to recover. We firmly believe that, when all of these components are addressed, patients and their families can heal, not just for today, but for a lifetime. This includes using a collaborative approach to developing long-term treatment plans and standing true to an abstinence-based model. When these pillars become the focus of recovery, we can effectively battle the epidemic of addiction.
We must diligently work to break down the ongoing barriers faced by those seeking help.
How our society views addiction, treatment and recovery is rapidly evolving, though the stigma associated with addiction remains a powerful force. The options for individuals and families seeking help are plentiful, yet the standard of exceptional quality care is not yet available to all who seek it. Improvements in our ability to quantify treatment outcomes must continue to impact our success as we overlay polished structures on foundational principles that we know work. For Origins Behavioral HealthCare, this means an enduring commitment to the spiritual bedrock of 12-Step recovery in accordance with ongoing research and advanced clinical sciences.
We enter the New Year with a dedication to exceed the expectations of both patients and their families. Together, we can win the war against the disease of addiction.