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…
Tag: Substance Use Disorders
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…
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…
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…
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…
Michelle Vargo: Peer Recovery Coach for the REAL Program at WSTC
The Recovery Empowerment Advocacy and Linkage Program is still in its infancy stages, but REAL Team Peer Recovery Coach Michelle Vargo is serious about its mission to help at-risk and underserved people to access supportive and public health services. Michelle and the Team has visited the encampments of unhoused people throughout Kitsap County several times…
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 REAL…
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…
