Mental Health Organization is Providing Hope to Those Who Struggle
Writer / Erin Coffee
Centerstone is on a mission to bring change to Louisville. They are a nonprofit organization founded more than 60 years ago that is dedicated to transforming the lives of those with drug addictions as well as mental health, behavioral and developmental issues.
Those working with Centerstone understand the complexities of addiction and that not all methods of recovery are effective for each person. They aim to provide the proper care and attention that each person requires.
“We believe in individualized treatment,” says Amanda Newton, vice president of marketing and business development. “We hire subject matter experts to provide cutting-edge care using evidence-based addiction treatment.”
They provide a variety of resources and options for a well-rounded treatment experience. These include detox, residential, intensive outpatient and sober living, as well as other addiction treatments and services. Centerstone combines 12-step methodologies with addiction medicine.
“Addiction is a very complicated and complex disease,” Newton says. “It’s biological, psychological and spiritual. Research shows that when treating substance use disorders, a combination of medication and behavioral therapies is most effective.”
However, assistance doesn’t end once a patient’s addiction treatment program is completed. They make it a priority to ensure that each patient is able to build a support system and receive encouragement for staying sober.
They also have preventative measures in place to stop addiction before it re-surfaces.
“We have our clients obtain sponsors in order to help them work [through] the 12-steps, engage in the recovery community and help them cultivate a support system,” Newton says.
In May of 2017, Centerstone added a Shared Services office to the Jeffersontown area. The new location, found on Linn Station Road, has room to host staff members from all 26 locations during meetings or events.
They also have a women’s residential program for addiction in Jeffersontown. The program takes a span of 30-45 days to undergo and aims to eliminate outside distractions and encourage women that are battling addiction in a safe environment.
Centerstone is dedicated to utilizing as many resources as possible for a successful transition process. One of these resources involves partnering with the Jeffersontown Police Department through their efforts to eliminate opiate addiction through the Angel Program.
On August 1, 2016, the Angel Program was formed. Essentially, anyone who comes into the police department and asks for help regarding their addiction will be screened through the program. They will then be placed in a local treatment facility, without being charged for drug-related crimes.
“The Angel Program has been an innovative way to decrease barriers to treatment,” Newton says. “Centerstone is thrilled to work alongside the J-town police department to support this endeavor.”
The Jeffersontown Police Department enacted this program as a way for those battling addictions to have a safe place to move past this lifestyle. They also hope to find success in driving down crime and increasing access to drug treatment.
“They save lives,” Newton adds.
Saving lives is something Louisville is desperately in need of, as overdose deaths continue to rise every year.
Between 2015 and 2016, death by an overdose increased by 34 percent from 270 to 362. The main cause of these deaths was fentanyl, an opioid primarily used as a pain reliever. Fentanyl, either alone or combined with heroin, attributed to 64 percent of all overdose deaths, based on reports from the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
One of Centerstone’s many goals is to offer help and a way out for those struggling with addiction in order to keep preventable deaths from happening.
As far as what is in store for the future of Centerstone, Shannon White, vice president of external affairs, discusses potential expansions that they are working to make a reality.
“We hope to be able to expand our Intensive Outpatient programs, strengthen our continuum of care for young adults, and launch new programs that will allow people in crisis to avoid jail, emergency rooms or inpatient hospitalizations,” White says.
Centerstone has already made great leaps and bounds since its inception more than 60 years ago. With offices in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, they served over 100,000 families in 2015.
“We serve 34,000 clients in our community each year,” White says, speaking of the Jefferson, Oldham, Trimble, Henry, Shelby, Bullitt and Spencer counties. “We have 1,300 staff and 26 locations.”
There are countless success stories of those whose lives were changed for the better through Centerstone’s programs, whether overcoming drug addictions or assisting with developmental, behavioral or mental health issues.
One of these stories involves a man named Trent Altman, a talented, autistic artist who is also the Autism Ambassador of the United States. Altman was able to receive funding through the Hart Supported Living grant, which opened many doors in his life and helped him combat his disability.
Centerstone and the HSL grant provided Altman with a live-in companion, support in the community and an opportunity to enjoy the activities he loved.
“I like riding a 3-wheel bike and being engaged with others and interacting,” Altman says. “I feel better when I choose to exercise. These are my choices to live a more fulfilled, happy, healthy lifestyle.”
Centerstone was able to find Altman a 3-wheel bike to suit his needs. He was so excited that he immediately took his new bike to the streets despite the cold December weather.
Altman isn’t the only one who has been positively impacted by Centerstone’s efforts. Another success story is that of Grant Logsdon.
Logsdon, who is confined to a wheelchair and suffers from a mental illness, was part of the Participant Directed Services, where he was provided with a Direct Service Provider. This person is able to take him around town and participate in activities together. This has given him a level of independence that he may not have been able to find elsewhere.
“I get to create my own destiny and be the man that I want to be,” Logsdon says. “It is changing people’s lives for the better.”
Logsdon enjoys traveling. He doesn’t allow his disabilities to impact his life negatively.
“I love to show that just because you have challenges doesn’t mean you can’t do anything you set your mind to,” he says.
Centerstone’s empowering, positive approach to issues in our society has provided hope and the start of a new chapter for people and their families across the Louisville area. To learn more about Centerstone or donate to help their noble causes, you can visit them online at centerstoneky.org.
