The resident is involved in two lectures or video presentations and two group therapy sessions daily, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, there is one therapy group and one video presentation, along with time for study and visits with family and friends.

The lectures and videos are primarily educational. The group therapy sessions are intended to assist the resident in confronting his/her denial, to learn to deal with emotions while interacting with others, to develop coping skills while in a safe therapeutic environment and to help his/her peers to do the same.

CHALLENGE COURSE AND EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY:

	One of the patients participates in the ROPES course

Experiential learning is learning through doing. It is a process through which individuals construct knowledge, acquire skills and enhance values from direct experience (Association of Experiential Education, 1995).

The Walker Center Treatment program provides high-elements ROPES course, if appropriate, and low-elements experiential therapy opportunities for our residents.

Each resident is fully assessed concerning their ability to participate and the appropriateness of these therapies to his/her treatment experience.

THE DOCTOR IS IN:
Opiate Withdrawal with Buprenorphine (Suboxone)

Over the past several years we have seen an alarming rise in the abuse of opiates in prescription form, such as oxycontin, percocet, morphine, vicodin, as well as street drug opiates like heroin. The Walker Center has witnessed great success with the use of buprenorphine (Suboxone). Patients can almost immediately attend recovery groups because this approach allows for a slower, safer detox and non-sedation.

The Walker Center offers a Suboxone Clinic the first Wednesday morning of each month for maintenance therapy. Our clinic accepts any patient that has been treated through the Walker Center, either in-patient or outpatient. A strict protocol for follow-up includes ongoing attendance at recovery meetings.

An additional exciting development involves the alcohol anti-craving drugs Campral and Revia (Naltrexone) which the doctor will prescribe prior to discharge.

For further information and scheduling, please contact Julie Kienlen at 934-8461 or 1-800-227-4190.

WALKER CENTER ADOPTS GENDER SPECIFIC TREATMENT:

Research indicates that clinical services for addiction treatment that address gender specific issues are more effective than traditional programs. Men and women are now housed in separate wings and have separate group therapy sessions. Walker Center has a holistic view in regard to the treatment of addiction. We address the complex issues of genetic predispositions, health consequences, shame, isolation, history of abuse, life skills and responsible thinking.

FAMILY PROGRAM:

During the resident's treatment, he/she will have the opportunity to participate in a three-day, intensive family program. Residents and family members and/or significant others will participate in multi-family educational and group therapy sessions that are designed to:

1. Educate families about addictions, treatment and ongoing recovery.
2. Provide families an opportunity to communicate and begin healing in a safe, therapeutic environment.
3. Therapy specific to an individual or single family unit is available as needed.

THE 12 STEP PROGRAMS:

While in treatment, the resident will participate daily in an Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meeting. The Walker Center staff believes the following are true about alcoholism and drug addiction:

1. It is a primary, progressive and fatal illness that can be successfully treated and individuals and their families can recover to live responsible, productive life styles.
2. The individual and family are unable to arrest this illness by the use of "willpower" alone.
3. Recovery is dependent upon a willingness to be honest and maintain commitments on a "one day at a time" basis.
4. The formula for recovery includes primary treatment with a Family Program, 12 Step group involvement with a sponsor while working the steps of the recovery program, and strong continuation of care as needed. 
5. That treatment takes place in the beginning of what the staff hopes will be a lifetime of continuous recovery.
6. Each client has a clinically driven individual treatment plan that may include Steps of AA or NA as appropriate to the client. Family members are encouraged and motivated to attend Al-Anon, obtain sponsors and begin doing their own step work.