A/H Substance Abuse Report

St. John’s Brighton Hospital changes name to Center for Recovery

2012-01-26T16:11:00.000-08:00

January 24, 2012 10:33 AM

Brighton Hospital has changed its name to the Brighton Center for Recovery to better reflect its specialty of substance abuse treatment, according to a statement today by St. John Providence Health System, its Warren-based owner.

In the statement, St. John said, “The word ‘recovery’ has great meaning in the addiction community and symbolizes hope for body, mind and spirit.”

Substance abuse treatment has changed over the years to include more than an inpatient hospital stay. It also encompasses outpatient programs, prevention, community services and ongoing recovery maintenance, the statement said.

Brighton Hospital, founded in 1953, is the nation’s second-oldest alcohol and drug treatment addiction center with 99 rehab beds.

In early 2011, Brighton fully merged with St. John after a nearly decade-long affiliation agreement.

Over the past year, Brighton has been integrating operations with St. John. For example, Brighton now is connected with St. John’s email system and employee benefits program.

Brighton health center changes its name

2012-01-24T19:49:00.000-08:00

Source: Detroit News
BY MELISSA BURDEN THE DETROIT NEWS

Director: Change better reflects Brighton site's mission of drug, alcohol treatment

Brighton Township— Brighton Hospital, the nation's second-oldest alcohol and drug treatment provider, is renaming itself to better reflect its mission as an addiction treatment center.

The facility now will be called Brighton Center for Recovery, as part of its transition into Warren-based St. John Providence Health System and its behavioral health and wellness service line.

"I think it's more synonymous with the kind of work we do here today, which is recovery work," said Ken Van Elslander, 57, who became director of the Brighton center in September. He had worked for more than 30 years in his family's Art Van Furniture empire before leaving in 2005.

Brighton isn't an acute care hospital, but has 99 beds for rehabilitation services. Marked on the entrance signs from Grand River Avenue are notices that no emergency services are available there.

Instead, several buildings — some that look like old houses — dot the 92 acres where patients as young as 18 and into their 70s are treated for alcohol and drug abuse.

Van Elslander, whose father is Art Van Furniture founder and owner Art Van Elslander, described Brighton as a wellness center to treat people's mind, body and spirit.

"We're here to love them until they love themselves," he said.

The most common patient these days is an 18- to 25-year-old male addicted to opiates such as prescription Vicodin or Oxycontin, Van Elslander said. Some of those patients also use heroin because it's less expensive on the street at $10 to $15 a bag versus pills that might run $30 to $40 a piece, he said.

Most patients come from Wayne, Oakland and Livingston counties and stay from 14 to 30 days, Van Elslander said.

"A little over 4,000 people came through here last year," he said.

Brighton Hospital, which opened in the early 1950s, was a nonprofit and controlled by an independent board when in 2001 it sought St. John Providence as a partner, said Stephanie Brady, vice president of care transitions for St. John Providence Health System.

Brighton had a 10-year affiliation agreement with St. John Providence until February 2011, when Brighton's board voted to integrate into the health system, ahead of the agreement's November expiration date, Brady said.

"There's not really dollars changing hands per se," she said, adding the Brighton board has disbanded and members have joined various St. John Providence boards, committees and councils. Ken Van Elslander was a former Brighton board member.

For the health system, Brighton helps it to better manage patients' health and offers a profitable service, Brady said.

"Brighton strategically is a great asset to the health system," she said. "Probably about 10 percent of the population coming into our facility hospitals have either alcohol or drug abuse problem."

And Brighton can treat those patients cheaper than if they were in a medical-surgical facility and also in the appropriate setting, Brady said.

Brighton Center for Recovery hosts support group meetings six nights a week and offers outpatient services such as counseling. Patients upon discharge could be referred back to their doctors and other St. John facilities such as Eastwood Clinics, which provide mental health, alcoholism and chemical dependency treatment in southeast Michigan.

mburden@detnews.com

(313) 222-2319

Chasing the Dragon Makes Big Impact at Lake Fenton - Fenton, MI Patch

2012-01-24T15:01:00.001-08:00

Chasing the Dragon Makes Big Impact at Lake Fenton - Fenton, MI Patch

Local Mother Lost Her Son to Heroin Overdose

2012-01-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

Local Mother Lost Her Son to Heroin Overdose

Healing Point Clinic: Etta James, the legendary blues, soul, R&B and gos...

2012-01-21T11:56:00.000-08:00

Healing Point Clinic: Etta James, the legendary blues, soul, R&B and gos...: Etta James, the legendary blues, soul, R&B and gospel singer—and an ex- heroin addict has died at the age of 73 in Riverside, California. I...

Healing Point Clinic: Drug Addiction Treatment Requires Substance Abuse ...

2012-01-19T04:35:00.000-08:00

Healing Point Clinic: Drug Addiction Treatment Requires Substance Abuse ...: Most drug addicts and alcoholics had problems long before they started using drugs or alcohol. Social problems, anxiety issues, and family p...

Healing Point Clinic: Healing Point in Livonia offers Drug Addiction Counseling - (248) 498-8011

2012-01-18T02:32:00.000-08:00

Healing Point Clinic: Healing Point in Livonia offers Drug Addiction Counseling - (248) 498-8011

Healing Point Clinic Drug Addiction Treatment Facility Applies for Joint Commission Accreditation - Yahoo! News

2012-01-16T14:24:00.000-08:00

Healing Point Clinic Drug Addiction Treatment Facility Applies for Joint Commission Accreditation - Yahoo! News

What Does A Drug Addict Look Like?

2012-01-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

Healing Point Clinic | Alcoholism Defined

2012-01-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

Healing Point Clinic | Alcoholism Defined

A DUI Changed My Life

2012-01-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

A DUI Changed My Life

Brighton Hospital Family Treatment Center - Substance Abuse Program

2012-01-05T19:16:00.000-08:00

Healing Point Clinic Drug Addiction Treatment Center in Livonia

2011-12-29T14:43:00.000-08:00

Peter's Principles at Brighton Hospital

2011-12-19T18:35:00.000-08:00

Neil Scott Host of Recovery Coast to Coast Radio Interviews Tom Cahillane

2011-12-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

Brighton Hospital - Lawyer, Judges and Corporate Executive Treatment Program - Chief Executi...

2011-12-12T17:47:00.000-08:00

Trust Me I'm An Alcoholic - Book Of Bar Jokes By Tom Cahillane

2011-11-20T14:53:00.000-08:00

Home Page

Laura E, RN discusses CARN certification at Brighton Hospital, leading a...

2011-11-17T18:41:00.000-08:00

'Trust Me. I'm An Alcoholic.' Tom Cahillane's New Joke Book Gets Four Stars!

2011-11-12T20:04:00.000-08:00

'Trust Me. I'm An Alcoholic.' Tom Cahillane's New Joke Book Gets Four Stars!

Alec Berry explores addiction and recovery for Muslims

2011-10-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

Stories of Substance Abuse and the Pain It Causes - Hour Detroit - October 2011 - Detroit, MI

2011-10-20T03:59:00.000-07:00

Stories of Substance Abuse and the Pain It Causes - Hour Detroit - October 2011 - Detroit, MI

Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service

2011-10-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

Medical Clinic provides Post Rehab Aftercare

2011-10-11T21:19:00.000-07:00

Alcohol Treatment Program helps with Recovery

2011-10-06T21:21:00.000-07:00

Brighton Hospital Names Dr. Jeffrey Berger New Medical Director

2011-09-26T23:33:00.000-07:00

Brighton, Mich. – Brighton Hospital has named Dr. Jeffrey Berger as its new medical director. Dr. Berger is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in internal medicine. He is certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and has been a member of the Brighton Hospital active medical staff since 1998.

“Brighton Hospital is extremely fortunate to attract someone the caliber of Dr. Berger to this leadership position. He has a strong commitment to the field of addiction treatment and recovery,” said Dan McCormick, interim president, Brighton Hospital.

In addition to his work at Brighton Hospital, Dr. Berger has worked with the Henry Ford Maplegrove Center, a chemical dependency treatment facility. He has lectured in the region on topics pertaining to addiction and recovery.

Dr. Berger assumes the role of medical director at a very exciting time in the history of Brighton Hospital as well as the field of addiction treatment and recovery. The need for quality treatment and recovery services continues to escalate here in Michigan and nationally. The demand for services at Brighton has never been stronger. Best practices in the field continue to evolve and Brighton continues to be at the forefront of responding to these challenges.

Dr. Berger resides in Howell with his wife and the two youngest of their six children.

Brighton Hospital, a member of St. John Providence Health System, was founded in 1950 and continues to be a standard-bearer and innovator in chemical dependency treatment based on the medical model and 12-step program participation. Brighton Hospital is fully licensed and accredited by the Joint Commission and is staffed by addiction-medicine physicians and addiction-credentialed clinicians.

Ken Van Elslander has been named as the director of Brighton Hospita

2011-09-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

Brighton, Mich. - Ken Van Elslander has been named as the director of Brighton Hospital, effective September 20. He has been an active member of Brighton’s Advisory Board and Marketing Committee and is a member of the newly constituted SJPHS Care Continuum Board. He takes over for Dan McCormick, who was serving as interim leader. He will return to his national healthcare consulting practice, the Chancellor Group, of Minnesota.
Van Elslander holds an undergraduate business degree from Central Michigan University has a graduate certificate in addiction studies and is completing a master’s degree in counseling from University of Detroit, Mercy. He was a member of the Brighton Board of Trustees until it dissolved and morphed into the Continuum Board.
Brighton Hospital, a member of St. John Providence Health System, was founded in 1950 and continues to be a standard-bearer and innovator in chemical dependency treatment based on the medical model and 12-step program participation. Brighton Hospital is fully licensed and accredited by the Joint Commission and is staffed by addiction-medicine physicians and addiction-credentialed clinicians.

6O Year Celebration of SJPHS Brighton Hospital September 13 2011

2011-09-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

6O Year Celebration of SJPHS Brighton Hospital September 13 2011 Smaller size from on Vimeo.

Vivitrol - For Opioid Dependence - Healing Point L...

2011-08-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

Healing Point Clinic: Vivitrol - For Opioid Dependence - Healing Point L...: The Healing Point FDA approved VIVITROL® (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) is for the prevention of relapse to opioid...

Man gives advice to families on how to tackle addictions

2011-08-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

By Christopher Behnan

DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

Richard Kramer (left) witnessed his brother's descent into drug addiction but didn't seek support as a family member for decades.

Kramer spent a fortune trying to track down his brother, who became addicted to psychedelic drugs during the 1960s and vanished without a trace.

Years later, he sought support for his struggles with his brother's addiction; however, in some ways, it was too late: His brother hasn't been seen in about 20 years.

"I wished I had done it at 30. My life would have been so much better. It's a festering, open sore, and I've gotten tremendous support since — (but) could have gotten that support years earlier," said Kramer, who is a staff member at Brighton Hospital, a drug-treatment facility in Brighton Township.

Kramer advises families on how to attack addictions of loved ones early. Initial help can be sought through school or church social workers, local counseling centers and treatment centers, Kramer said.

Another option is an intervention, or gathering friends and family to confront the addict. The goal of an intervention is twofold: Make the addict confront his or her illness, and convince the addict to enter treatment the same day.

Interventions can be done with a professional present, which can be costly, or by family or a friend through a guided process, Kramer said.

The process is 80 percent to 90 percent successful in getting addicts into treatment the same day, Kramer said.

Initial treatment isn't a cure-all, however, which some family members believe at first, he added.

"There may be a little sense of relief, sometimes a false sense of, 'This is going to get fixed during a hospital treatment stay,' when it's a long-term diagnosis and it's a lot of hard work having this young person go to meetings, have a sponsor and take some of that stress off the parents," Kramer said.

The biggest challenge for families is to let loved ones face the consequences of their drug use rather than trying to rescue them from it, Kramer said.

Enabling addiction by coddling users can only "pour gasoline" on addictions, he added.

Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Christopher Behnan at (517) 548-7108 or at cbehnan@gannett.com.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction 101 - The Healing Point...

2011-08-10T05:57:00.000-07:00

Healing Point Clinic: Alcohol and Drug Addiction 101 - The Healing Point...: "For more information on counseling services or if you'd like to make an appointment with a physician at the Healing Point in Plymouth, Canto..."

Brighton Hospital's Tune Up Is This Saturday, 8/13/11 At 11:30am

2011-08-09T03:13:00.000-07:00

Brighton Hospital Alumni Gathering

Every day, people celebrate milestones in their lives. They celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and more. At Brighton Hospital, one of the things we like to celebrate is addiction recovery. When someone achieves sobriety in his or her life, we cannot imagine a more appropriate time to celebrate! To honor our patients and the changes they have made in their lives, Brighton Hospital alumni and their family and friends are invited to Tune-Up, held Saturday August 13, 2011 – Brighton Hospital’s Annual Family Tune Up (includes lunch and activities for children). Family Tune Up will start at 11:30 A.M. under the tent on the Brighton Hospital Campus.

Join us afterwards for the Recovery Market immediately following Tune Up Presentation!

At each Tune-Up our alumni are given the opportunity to socialize with others who have faced similar challenges with addiction and recovery. There are featured inspirational guest speakers, games, coining ceremonies and plenty of camaraderie.

Coining:
The coining ceremony is for those who have successfully completed a Brighton Hospital program. This includes coining celebration for anniversaries of sobriety and guest speakers.

Location: Brighton Hospital, 12851 Grand River, Brighton, MI 48116
(Call 810-225-2531 for directions)

Cost: No Charge

Addiction Medicine - Healing Point located in Livonia, Canton, Commerce Twp, and Plymouth Michigan

2011-07-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

Healing Point Clinic: Addiction Medicine - Healing Point located in Livo...: "The Healing Point is a health care provider headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. We provide alcohol and drug addiction medicine, auricular ..."

Substance Free Future: Nudge from the judge: Will it get alcoholics into ...

2011-06-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

Substance Free Future: Nudge from the judge: Will it get alcoholics into ...: "Michigan's new “Super Drunk” driving law, in effect since October 31st of 2010, has increased penalties for drivers with a blood alcohol lev..."

Alcoholic Humor: Amy Winehouse Makes the Right Choice and Enters Drug and Alcohol Rehab

2011-05-28T04:13:00.000-07:00

Alcoholic Humor: Amy Winehouse Makes the Right Choice and Enters Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Brighton Hospital's Dr Menestrina -Together, community can fight addiction | Livingston Daily | livingstondaily.com

2011-05-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

Together, community can fight addiction | Livingston Daily | livingstondaily.com

Healing Point Clinic, in Livonia treats opiate addiction using Suboxone

2011-05-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

Healing Point Clinic, in Livonia treats opiate addiction using Suboxone

Peter's Principles at Brighton Hospital

2011-05-17T04:23:00.000-07:00

Detroit News-Heroin use by young adults devastates outer suburbs

2011-04-28T04:46:00.000-07:00

More cases of drug abuse reported in Genesee, Livingston counties
Mark Hicks and Valerie Olander / / The Detroit News
From The Detroit News http://detnews.com/article/20110427/metro/104270369/Heroin-use-by-young-adults-devastates-outer-suburbs#ixzz1Koc9FazV
When Ron Schlosser talks to young people about the effects of heroin, his message is simple: There is no such thing as a casual user, and few can easily escape its grip.

He knows this firsthand. His daughter, Erika, died Feb. 16, days shy of her 20th birthday, after a nearly two-year struggle to kick her habit through rehabilitation.

"It's a one-time deal and that one time could be your last," Schlosser told students at Lake Fenton High School at a town hall meeting by Community Parent, a group that recently formed to address teen drug use.

He and others are reeling from a surge in heroin use in Michigan, where the number of people seeking treatment in state-sponsored programs has nearly doubled since 2003.

In Genesee County, about 50 miles north of Detroit, more youths like Erika have injected, snorted or smoked the drug in the last decade.

The percentage of uninsured people treated for heroin at Genesee County Community Mental Health ages 18-29 has increased sixfold to 28 percent since 2003.

The state-funded agency for substance abuse services refers uninsured, underinsured and Medicaid recipients to facilities and programs for treatment.

"It's a pretty huge increase," said Kristie Schmiege, director of substance abuse services for the agency.

More youths have turned to heroin after abusing "gateway" prescription drugs, said Dr. Mark Menestrina, an addiction medicine physician at St. John Providence Health System's Brighton Hospital in Livingston County.

It may come down to economics: It's a quick, easy high at $10-$20 a hit.

"It's 10 times more potent and it remains quite cheap," Menestrina said.

It's tempting for some teens.

Briona Jawhari, 17, used heroin and overdosed two days before her friend, Erika.

On that same day Briona died, Joshua Wood, 19, of Mayfield Township in neighboring Lapeer County, died from heroin. On March 5, in Livingston County, Adam Harden, 22, died after taking Opana, a drug similar to morphine.
'Good kids … bad choice'

The Fenton deaths follow a surge of deaths in 2007 in Pinckney, about 35 miles south, when at least 10 youths died of heroin overdoses, including a varsity athlete who had just graduated.

"These are good kids, popular kids who just made a bad choice," said Fenton Township Clerk Robert Krug, who knew Briona and Erika from coaching them for a middle school debate team.

It isn't just a Genesee or Livingston problem.

The number of people who sought treatment through state programs for abusing the highly addictive drug hovered above 10,000 in the last three years, nearly double the number in 2003, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health — more than for cocaine, crack, methamphetamines and some opiates.

According to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, some 180,000 people used heroin for the first time in the previous year — "significantly more" than the average annual number reported from 2002-08.

The spike is due partly to higher opiate production in places like Afghanistan and Mexico, Schmiege said. "It's very available."

There's also less of a stigma attached to using heroin. "It lost its mystique to some degree," Schmiege said.

"If you study drug use through history, drugs sort of rise and fall in popularity. And when a drug becomes really readily available, people start to use it a lot and overdose. … Once that starts to happen and people start to die, then it goes out of vogue."

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimates the heroin in use today is 20 percent to 50 percent pure, compared with 3 percent to 5 percent in the 1960s, when the drug was diluted to extend the supply, Menestrina said.

Although heroin use appears to be spiking in Detroit's outer suburbs, Wayne County, which includes Detroit, has not seen a noticeable increase in heroin overdose deaths, said Dennis Niemiec, spokesman for the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office.
Some hope education helps

Briona Jawhari began using heroin because she wanted to see what it was like after her mother died of an overdose in 2007, said her father, Sam Jawhari.

The emotional presentation at Lake Fenton High included a 911 call made by Briona's father the day she died.

Operators coached him on how to perform resuscitation on his daughter.

"It was tough to listen to it," said Sam Jawhari after the recording was played for students. "I felt like I was burying my daughter all over again."

Ron Schlosser found out his daughter, Erika, was using drugs on her 18th birthday.

"I tracked her down about 11 that night and I talked to her for hours," he said. "I pleaded with her" not to use heroin, he said.

But she ignored his pleas, shook off rehab and succumbed, he said.

According to Menestrina, "(Young people) see themselves as immortal … Their risk-taking is much higher because they don't think of consequences like older people do. As the perceived harm of any behavior decreases, then that behavior increases."

To spread the word, parents of both teens are active in Community Parent, a group that is pushing for awareness campaigns, health resources and legislation.

Alarmed by the deaths, the group of parents, school and local officials is calling for a state law that would require drug dealers, like sex offenders, to publicly register their addresses.

It's a tool, they say, to keep children safe and law enforcement to keep tabs on dealers.

State Democratic Sen. John Gleason, the bill's sponsor, said: "We have the sex offender registry as a template, so I don't think this will take too long to put together."

Other authorities say the key to prevention is education: experts going to schools and showing the devastation of drug abuse.

"We're trying to show these kids (at schools) how heartbreaking this is and how easy it is to get hooked," said Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell.

"They call it chasing the dragon for a reason. From the first time these kids get high, they keep trying to get that same feeling and they never do."

Staff Writer RoNeisha Mullen contributed to this report.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110427/metro/104270369/Heroin-use-by-young-adults-devastates-outer-suburbs#ixzz1Koc9FazV

State Bar of Michigan Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program partners with Brighton National Addiction Foundation 4/28/11

2011-04-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

Click on document to enlarge

Please click on document to enlarge

Brighton Hospital - 3rd Annual Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program

2011-03-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

The Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program Fundraising Event is a collaboration between the State Bar of Michigan and Brighton Hospital and benefits the Richard L. Steinberg Fund for attorneys who are addicted and cannot afford treatment. According to the American Bar Association, 1 in 5 lawyers suffers from addiction. Please join us for An Evening of Enlightenment on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Suburban Collection Show Place (formerly Rock Financial Show Place) Diamond Center in Novi, MI just on Grand River between Beck Road and Novi Road. For registration information please click here or to sponsor this event please call 810-225-2542.

To read more about the Richard L. Steinberg Fund and the Evening of Enlightenment, please read Martha Burkett’s article which appeared in the January 2011 Bar Journal.

Recovering Addict enrolls child in Free Addiction Prevention Program

2011-03-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

Tri-County Times > Archives > News > Local > Understanding addiction

2011-03-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

Tri-County Times > Archives > News > Local > Understanding addiction: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

ProDialog Answering Service

2011-01-21T00:10:00.000-08:00

Brighton Hospital Welcomes New Chief Medical Officer

2010-10-31T04:18:00.000-07:00

Brighton Hospital, a national leader in addiction treatment and recovery, recruited Anthony Dekker D.O., from Phoenix Arizona, where he led addiction treatment for America’s most vulnerable population, Native Americans. Dr. Dekker is one of approximately three hundred fellows of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (FASAM) worldwide and is serving as Vice President for Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. One of many major initiatives that he is implementing is offering his personal cell phone number (810-877- 0911) so people can speak with him at any time about their loved one, employee, or their own substance abuse crisis.

Peter's Principles TV » Brighton Hospital » Beating Addiction

2010-10-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

Peter's Principles TV » Blog Archive » Beating Addiction: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Teens Share Addiction Stories At Forum with Dr Mark Menestrina-Brighton Hospital - Video - WDIV Detroit

2010-10-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

Teens Share Addiction Stories At Forum - Video - WDIV Detroit

Brighton Hospital recruits Hazelden vet to succeed Bertin-Epp | Articles & Archives | Addiction Professional

2010-10-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

Brighton recruits Hazelden vet to succeed Bertin-Epp | Articles & Archives | Addiction Professional: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Trudi Daniels of WRIF in Michigan interviews Dr. Mark Menestrina about ...

2010-10-07T05:10:00.000-07:00

St. John Providence Health System announces interim president of Brighton Hospital

2010-09-14T13:19:00.001-07:00

Press Release:September 14, 2010

St. John Providence Health System announces interim president of Brighton Hospital

St. John Providence Health System announced today that new interim president, Daniel J. McCormick, will lead the Brighton Hospital administration and its addiction treatment mission. The previous president of Brighton Hospital, Denise Bertin-Epp has taken a position with Guest House, of Lake Orion, MI.

Earlier this month, the Brighton Hospital Board of Directors conducted a national search process and selected Mr. McCormick to join Brighton Hospital. McCormick began his full-time duties in this role effective September 14, 2010.

Dan comes to Brighton Hospital most recently from the Hazelden Foundation in Minneapolis, MN, an international leader in addiction treatment and recovery services, where he held the role of Interim President & Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to his role at Hazelden Foundation, Mr. McCormick held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer at Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital in Grand Rapids, MN, which provides a comprehensive range of primary and secondary services.

Daniel J. McCormick received his MHA in Health Care Administration and his BS in Administration/Finance from The University of Minnesota. He resides in Livingston County, MI.

Nurse restores his life with help from HPRP program.wmv

2010-09-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

Brighton Hospital – Addiction Treatment Programs

2010-05-12T05:28:00.000-07:00

Brighton Hospital – Addiction Treatment Programs

Drivers License Restoration Assessments

2010-05-10T05:51:00.001-07:00

Brighton Hospital offers substance abuse assessments for individuals who have had their Michigan driver’s license revoked and are preparing for their license reinstatement hearings. Proving your sobriety is one of the first steps to the license restoration process. A thorough and current substance abuse evaluation will be required for your restoration hearing to prove that your likelihood of driving under the influence again is low. Our assessment includes a screening tool, urine drug screen and comprehensive evaluation completed by a clinician. For more information on the Michigan Drivers License Reinstatement process or to schedule an assessment at our clinic, call 1-877-976-2371. If you have had your Michigan driver’s license revoked or suspended and feel that you may need to seek treatment for a drug or alcohol problem, we at Brighton Hospital are here to help. Since 1950, our clinic has been helping individuals to overcome their substance abuse problems through top rated programs focused on dual diagnosis treatment (mental health and substance abuse), detoxification, alcohol treatment, residential (inpatient) rehab, outpatient drug counseling, and partial hospitalization. All programs are customized for each patient and may include access to 12 step programs, counseling and aftercare follow-up.

"What are we going to do today Bear?"

2010-04-18T16:01:00.001-07:00

Last night (4-17-10), I went to see the movie, 'Annabelle and Bear' at the Detroit Music Hall. Its a film you must see! Co-written by Amy Weber/Tracey Sims, and produced and directed by Amy Weber. 'Annabelle and Bear' has captured the dramatic lifestyle of how family and friends can be torn apart and brought together at the same time during the cycle of addiction, and its effect on all involved.

Curt Massof did an outstanding portrayal as the biker dad, 'Bear' who has to make the choice of being an active father, or an outsider looking inside. Addiction isn't pretty, but Oliva Walby steals your heart from the first moment she appears on screen as two-year old 'Annabelle.' She tugs heartstrings when she asks, "What are we going to do today Bear?" Together Annabelle and Bear journey a path that is so incredibly realistic it reminds us that addiction is a terrible, destructive disease. Ruby Harris (Annie, the drug addicted mother), Jason Myres (Goldie), Kimberly Cruchon (Grace), and Dal Bouey (Trisha) are the co-stars that make this believable, touching film come together!

Brighton Hospital's charity preview at the Detroit Music Hall was a major success that had a bottom line net of over $27,000. Proceeds will benefit the Brighton Hospital Children's Program. This program is unique to Brighton Hospital and will be free to children ages 7-12. For more information about the Children's Program, please contact John Furey at (810) 227-1211 or call Brighton at the Corners at (248) 406-4260. Toll-free customer service staff may be reached at (877) 976-2371 for questions about any Brighton Hospital program.

Denise Bertin-Epp Brighton Hospital President Appears On WJR

2010-03-07T06:04:00.001-08:00

Denise Bertin-Epp, President and Chief Nursing Officer appears on WJR Radio (Detroit, MI) with host Ann Thomas, on WJR’s video podcast, “Women Who Lead.” Denise talks about her passion for addiction treatment and gives the background about Brighton Hospital, America’s second oldest alcohol and substance abuse treatment hospital.

Denise Bertin-Epp has more than 20 years nursing and medical consulting experience and readily acknowledges that her passion is addiction medicine. Under her leadership, Brighton Hospital has experienced significant financial turnaround and entered into an era of growth with the opening of its daily medical clinic and men´s halfway house. Bertin-Epp was also instrumental in implementing electronic medical records and utilizing holistic treatment approaches, such as acupuncture. During her tenure, Brighton Hospital became the first behavioral health care facility in the state of Michigan to participate in an unannounced survey for the Joint Commission of Accredited Healthcare Organizations. Bertin-Epp earned her R.N. degree at the Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology (Ontario) and her B.Sc. in Nursing at the McMaster University School of Nursing (Ontario). She also earned a M.S. in Health Care Administration at Central Michigan University. Bertin-Epp joined Brighton Hospital as its director of nursing in 1999 after holding various progressive health care leadership positions in Canada and the U.S. The hospital's board of directors promoted her to president in 2005. Bertin-Epp is a member of the American Society for Quality – Healthcare Division and has delivered numerous national presentations related to process improvement and regulatory standards.
Listen to the podcast by clicking the link.
http://wjr.com/Article.asp?id=1722460&spid=20051

Your Brain on Drugs With A Side of Insanity

2009-05-06T05:42:00.000-07:00

This Is Your Brain On Drugs With A Side of Insanity

“Why I do declare you look prettier than a red winged blackbird sittin on a yella pumpkin.” I use to say that a lot when I was drunk. I'm not even from the south but I liked the way it sounded when I said it.

We've all seen the Public Service Announcements on television. It started in 1987 when a man held up an egg and said, “this is your brain.” Then he cracks the egg on the side of a frying pan, drops it in the heated pan, and says, “This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?”

Yes, I have a question. Why do we put people with fried brains in prison instead of medical treatment facilities for addiction?

Addiction is a recognized disease. It's treatable. The criminal justice system endorses treatment. They use prison as a last resort for repeated offenders. Most drug/alcohol offenders imprisoned today have been through some sort of court ordered treatment. Intensive Out-Patient Treatment (IOP) is often required now for first time drug/alcohol offenders as part of a mandatory probation instead of prison. IOP usually lasts for ten to twelve weeks. Probation requirements include; random drug tests, substance abuse classes, PBT testing, twelve step attendance, and sometimes include long term in-patient treatment at rehabs or half-way houses. Lets not forget big fines and picking up trash on the highway.

Here's a news flash...It's not working. It hasn't worked very well since its inception. Its not working because a large percentage of people who suffer from addiction are in denial. They're arrested for some form of a drug/alcohol related crime and put on probation. They attend the classes, go to IOP, and sit through twelve step meetings. When probation is over, or many times beforehand, they begin drinking and drugging, get arrested again and are sent to prison for a second offense or violating their probation.

It's never going to be the solution because telling an alcoholic he can't drink won't stop him. Sending him to counseling once a week for an hour isn't going to cure him. There's at least 100 free BAC calculators online that will teach him how long and how much they can drink before taking a PBT test. Sending him to a two hour class once a week that explains the damage you're doing to your liver will only make him think maybe he should cut back...tomorrow. Picking up trash on the side of the road makes him thirsty and prison teaches an alcoholic how to distill liquids in their cell.

I'm writing this article because my friend Nicole had a relapse. Nicole is an addict who had been clean for awhile but decided she was cured. While under the influence Nicole made the terrible decision to drive a car. When she seen blue lights flashing in her rear view mirror she lead the police on a high speed chase through three cities and had to be tazed before being apprehended. Lucky for Nicole she didn't hurt herself or anyone else.

Nicole is an intelligent, attractive woman in her early thirties with a bit of a southern drawl. If you had met her during her recovery you would have liked her. I'm not certain what triggered Nicole to start using again. Whatever the reason once she picked up insanity took over. I know in her heart she wanted recovery. About a year ago I ran into her at a county building and we chatted for a few minutes and she said something I'll always remember. Nicole said, “It's all about change.” She was referring to a popular saying among people in recovery, that in order to stay clean you have to make a lot of changes in your life.

I'm not condoning drinking and driving. I am against any form of it and I agree that there needs to be consequences including prison. What I'm trying to say is this problem isn't going to go away because the drunk/drugged driver has a disease and in his mind thinks hes OK to drive a car. Alcohol or drugs has impaired his ability to think correctly and he is temporarily insane.

Albert Einstein once defined insanity as repeatedly doing the same thing over, and over and expecting different results. When I was a practicing alcoholic I expected different results when I told myself I would only have two drinks at the bar. I expected different results when I promised myself I wouldn't drink before 6pm. I expected different results when I made a vow to only drink on the weekends. The results were always the same. Once I picked up a drink I would drink until I was drunk.

I'll concede to the fact that prison may be the bottom that makes one in a hundred alcoholics stop drinking. Maybe the alcohol awareness classes convince one in a hundred. Maybe the humiliation of picking up trash on the side of the road convinces one more. But what about the other 97? They're going to drink again. Many are going to drive again. You're not helping an alcoholic or society by sending him to prison.

I've watched too many people die from this disease. I've held hands with a dying addict as they took their last breath. I've been to so many funerals I've lost count. My friend Tim died a few weeks ago. I once watched a hospitalized man shake so violently from withdrawals he didn't make it though the night.

I've also watched people get better. I've watched their life change. Most all of my close friends have been clean and sober for a long time. The one thing I notice they have in common is they've made a lot of changes in their life and nothing happened overnight...it took years of hard work to put their addiction in remission.

I don't have a solution but I have a suggestion that could be built upon. Instead of sending an addict to prison for one to five years maybe we could come up with a similar sentence at an addiction treatment facility or half-way house? I haven't investigated the cost comparison of prison compared to rehab but I understand a half-way house runs as low as $600 per month. If an offender has medical insurance that could pay for in-patient addiction treatment at a hospital for as much time as the insurer would allow. The offender would spend the remainder of the one to five years at a half-way house.

I'm not sure what type of alternatives to prison would work but don't we have government officials that put together committees to figure these things out? I'm only one person but I've decided I'd be willing to help form an organization that addressed this problem.

In conclusion the drunk or addict you send to long-term treatment will have a much higher chance of recovery than jail could ever offer. Treatment saves life's. My friend Nicole is most likely going to go to prison for a long time because she has a disease. That's very sad.

Students Catch Drunk Teacher In Class Dancing

2009-03-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

This Is Your Brain On Heroin

2009-03-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

Rachel Leigh Cook's Drug Ad

Death Clock

2009-03-25T15:12:00.001-07:00

Warrant Issued For Lindsey Lohan

2009-03-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

Drunk Puts Dead Passenger on Drivers Side

2009-03-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Published: 10 Feb 09 08:59 CET

An intoxicated driver has been arrested for putting his dead passenger in the driver seat after driving too fast and killing him in an accident, daily Hamburger Abendblatt reported on Tuesday.

Article from http://www.thelocal.de/society/20090210-17331.html
The 35-year-old passenger was killed instantly when the car hit a large truck at high speed on the A44 motorway on Monday evening near Aachen, according to the paper. The driver, also 35-years-old, wasn't seriously injured.

A gruesome situation turned macabre, however, when the man got out of the vehicle and pulled the dead passenger to the other side, laying him next to the driver’s side on the highway to make it appear as though he had been driving, police told the paper.

“As officers arrived, he said his friend had been at the wheel,” a police spokesperson said.

His claims were suspicious because the driver’s side of the car was undamaged, while the passenger side was destroyed, police said. Their doubt was confirmed by the driver of the truck with which the man had collided. He had witnessed the whole scene and the lie was quickly found out.

An alcohol test revealed the driver had a blood alcohol content of 0.18 percent. He was arrested and faces charges of negligent homicide, the paper said.

Backstreet Boy AJ McLean May Have Relapsed

2009-02-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

Author: www.wastedCelebrity.com

Former Backstreet Boys boy-band star AJ McLean was spotted leaving a Hollywood club recently, looking a little unsteady.
Backstreet Boys star A.J. Mclean has sparked fears he’s losing his long running battle with sobriety after he was filmed stumbling out of a Hollywood club on Monday night looking inebriated.
The recovering alcoholic, who underwent spells in rehab for alcohol and drug use in 2001 and 2002, was captured on camera by website TMZ.com as he was helped to his car by two female companions after a night out at the Key Club. But before they reached the vehicle, McLean can be seen on video struggling to keep his balance as his pals clutch onto his arms to support him.
Witnesses tell the website McLean’s friend were reportedly drinking shots and beers throughout the night, before his friends called him a cab and sent him home. In 2008, McLean stated he had been sober for six years.