So here is my success story. I’m going to start a little bit before I got into West Sound Treatment Center. While still in active addiction, I was very abusive to my ex. To be completely honest, I tried to kill her. I got arrested, went to jail, and was looking at prison time. I…
Tag: Recovery
Voices in Recovery: A New Start
What makes the difference between relapse and success? According to one recent WSTC treatment graduate, the answer is the New Start Program. Before, she completed a treatment program but found that getting clean and sober wasn’t enough to sustain recovery. At the end of the program, with nowhere safe to stay, she relapsed. Things went…
What it takes to be an SUDP
What does it take to be an SUDP? The answer to that question may seem straightforward. According to the Washington State Department of Health website, it 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…
The Criteria for SUD
The Key Competencies of the COO: Part 2
In Part One, we learned that lived experience has given Heather a lot of perspective in her role as the Chief Operations Officer. But what about work experience? “All the positions I’ve held in treatment facilities taught me important lessons,” Heather says. Her work experience in the field began after going to treatment and peer…
The Key Competencies of the COO: Part 1
Congratulations, Heather, in your new role! The Chief Operations Officer of any organization carries a great deal of responsibility. In a nonprofit that provides essential behavioral health services to a vulnerable population of adults, the burden is even heavier. Heather Hickey recently accepted this position at WSTC, signing on to keep operations running smoothly, support…
Toy Drive a Success Thanks to Generous Donors!
During early stages of recovery and treatment, it can be difficult or impossible for clients to hold a fulltime job, and that can mean lean Christmases and birthdays for their children. WSTC tries to do a toy drive each year to make their holidays brighter, and this year, even though we got started a bit…
Lindsay Devitt: Peer Recovery Coach for the REAL Program at WSTC
Lindsay Devitt has been working here at WSTC in the Washington Listens program, supporting callers who suffer COVID-19-related emotional and mental issues. As that program ends, a new program is in the works, and Lindsay has accepted the position of Peer Recovery Coach for the Recovery, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Linkage (REAL) Program. Learning the Program…
Congratulations, Kelley Lovelace!
It’s time to celebrate! Kelley Lovelace has completed her supervision education and certification, which means she’s now legally able to supervise clinical staff! Not only that, but CEO Ken Wilson also offered her the position of Clinical Supervisor in Bremerton, and she accepted. “Over the past 3 1/2 years,” Ken said, “I have watched Kelley…
Meet the Navigator: Part Two
Employment Having a job is key to self-sufficiency as well as recovery. Rebecca says that participants who have trouble finding employment tend to leave the program. “The frustration over the lack of resources often keeps them from feeling like they’re going to succeed.” So Rebecca works hard to eliminate as many barriers to employment as…