West Sound Treatment Center created the Voices in Recovery Award to honor people in the community who have gone above and beyond to help those suffering from substance use disorders. This year, we are pleased to name Jim Adrian as a recipient of this award. Jim Adrian has been a part of the Kitsap community…
Author: Beth Wilson
What it takes to be an SUDP
What does it take to be an SUDP? The Straightforward Answer According to the Washington State Department of Health website, a Substance Use Disorder Professional certification requires completion of an associate degree with at least 30 college credits of substance use disorder related classes and 2,500 hours of counseling under supervision, or a bachelor’s degree…
Would You Recognize an Overdose?
Image description: Infographic provides overdose information about the following substances: Many of these substances are sold in a combination form. Most are significantly more dangerous when combined. Alcohol greatly increases the risk of all other substances. If you encounter someone in overdose:
The Criteria for Substance Use Disorder
Image Description: Infographic provides the signs and symptoms of a substance use disorder: Meeting 2-3 criteria may indicate mild disorder. Meeting 4-5 criteria may indicate a moderate disorder. Meeting 6 or more criteria may indicate a severe disorder. To get started in SUD treatment, call (360) 876-9430 or fill out a Request for Treatment form…
Recovery Housing Receives Furnishings
A while back, we shared that Boeing had awarded WSTC a grant (written by Britania!) to purchase furnishings for our recovery housing. Today, some of those items were delivered! These sectionals are in our Lighthouse and Fuller houses: Download QR
What Second Chances Mean to Libby McCaskey, SUDP
Second chances are important to Libby McCaskey – WSTC’s SUDP telehealth counselor. “I was born with congenital heart disease,” she explains. “I knew from a very young age that life is short, and I may not live a long time. God gave me a second chance at life, and I want to honor that by…
Washington Problem Solving Courts
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STRESS & SUDs
Stress & Substance Use Disorders The medical community has known for a long time that STRESS can make individuals more likely to develop an ADDICTION, possibly because people under chronic stress are more likely to turn to substances to cope. However, using brain-imaging and other sophisticated tools, researchers have recently learned that STRESS also alters…
What Is Harm Reduction?
What is Harm Reduction? Harm Reduction Services are evidence-based methods of reducing the negative effects of substance use for individuals and for communities. How does WSTC practice Harm Reduction? *Providing SUD treatment & motivational interviewing*Distributing opioid overdose reversal medications (naloxone)*Providing peer support specialists & case management*Promoting linkages to social services*Providing education & referrals to care*Reducing…
Recovery Housing Builds SELF-EFFICACY
Remember in the blog about Recovery Capital, we mentioned self-efficacy (human capital that can add value for recovery)? Recovery Housing helps individuals to build self-efficacy! But what is it? Efficacy is the ability to produce an intended result, so self-efficacy is the belief that you have the ability to produce an intended result. If you…
